... 2014 Case Study 5: Mattel & Consumer Protection In 2007, Mattel, a global leader in the design, manufacture, and marketing of toys, issued a voluntary recall of 1.5 million Chinese-made toys. A majority of as a result of such carelessness, children’s health and safety were at great risk due to poor toy design, such as loose magnets, and substituting lead free paint for a fatal amount of lead paint on Mattel’s toys to cut corners and save money. As consumers we are naive to believe that boards of directors and higher management in manufacturing companies are highly concerned with our safety. In reality, Mattel has a serious lack of crisis management as well as failing to meet proper safety procedures violating consumers right to safety. As a result millions of children are in harm’s way and are susceptible to life-altering health risks. Having a lack of regulation on imported toys has resulted in high levels of lead paint and loose magnets. Government regulation or a lack of government regulation has also caused many companies aside from Mattel to cut corners and look more at the bottom line as opposed to the safety of consumers. According to Lawrence and Weber, stakeholder theory “argues that corporations serve a broad public purpose; to create value for society”. It can be assumed Mattel was acting unethically with regards to producing unsafe products for their consumers; as a result, devaluing our society in terms of safety. Within the Mattel case the primary stakeholders...
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...Mattel Cynthia D. Marshall BUS 250 Armando Nunez April 16, 2012 Mattel Mattel started its business in 1945 and company was incorporated in 1947. Company became publicly held in 1960. In 2007, with turnover of $5.6 billion and net profit of $592 million, Mattel was global leader in design, manufacturing and marketing of toys. At that time, Mattel employed more than 30,000 employees and company was selling products in more than 150 countries. Mattel’s portfolio of toys include some of the best selling and most popular toys such as Barbie, Hot Wheels, Matchbox, Radica, American Girl etc. Mattel was always considered as a responsible company. Mattel earned high reputation in the minds of consumers. Mattel was recognized by Forbes magazine as one of the 100 most trustworthy U.S. companies. Mattel was recognized as one of the 100 Best Corporate Citizens by CRO magazine. Mattel outsourced major portion of manufacturing to low cost production countries. In 2007, near 65% of Mattel’s toys were manufactured in China. Company also had factories in Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines and Singapore. Near 50% of the revenue of Mattel came from the toys manufactured outside USA. In addition to producing toys in its own factories, Mattel contracted production to 30-50 Chinese companies. Many of these companies in turn subcontracted the production/part of production to other subcontractors. In 1997, Mattel developed a detailed code of conduct - “Global Manufacturing Principles”. These...
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... Overall Situation: As the world’s largest toy company, Mattel is a seasoned veteran within the industry. It is well known for brands like Barbie, Fisher Price, American Girl, and Hot Wheels and, moreover, new product lines like Max Steel and Monster High have quickly found success. Despite its command of the toy industry, Mattel faces competition from companies like Hasbro, JAKKS Pacific, and LEGO. Nonetheless, Mattel is poised for continued growth through expansion and investment into developing markets like Latin America, Russia, China, and India and, further, through its acquisition of smaller, more specialized companies. Mattel must better monitor its product quality and brand image in these developing markets and, moreover, strive to better deliver on its vision and promise of creating the future of play. Issues: • Vision: Mattel has a strong vision, “creating the future of play” and despite successful toys, does not necessarily deliver on the “future” element of that vision. • Technology: Mattel has its “toys and dolls” tradition but needs to successfully integrate technology moving forward; this is an extension of the above issue. Fig., 2. • Competition: As with most consumer goods, shoppers are looking for the next “it” thing. Thus, Mattel will continue to face tough competition from rivals and new entrants. Fig., 10. • Economy: As with any economic downturn, sales have struggled. Figs., 5, 9. • Image: In 2007, Mattel recalled more than 18 million products, notably in developing...
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...About Mattel Mattel, “the world’s premiere toy company,” began in Southern California in a garage workshop that manufactured picture frames. When the company started selling dollhouse furniture made from picture frame scraps, they realized the market potential and decided switch to toy manufacturing. In 1959, Mattel created their most popular toy, the Barbie doll. Inspired by paper dolls, Barbie was a three dimensional doll with which “little girls could play out their dreams.” Throughout the decades Mattel has continued to create and market popular toys, (Hot Wheels and He-man) merge with successful manufacturers, (Fisher Price and Tyco) partner with children’s program companies, (Disney, Sesame Street, and Nickelodeon) obtain licenses and rights to manufacture popular lines (Cabbage Patch Dolls and Harry Potter merchandise) and acquire other companies (Pleasant Company). Since its conception, the Mattel Company has done a lot to make sure it is considered a trustworthy company for children and the community. The corporation established a children’s charity, called the Mattel Children’s Foundation. In 1997 the company created the Global Manufacturing Principles, making them the first company to create a framework to ensure manufacturing would be conducted through consistent standards on a global level. In 1998 they started a $25 million multi-year donation to the UCLA children’s hospital, which is now called the Mattel Children’s Hospital at UCLA. However, Mattel has not...
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...Jasmine Hall Mattel 1. Yes, Manufacturers of children’s products have a special obligation to not mislead consumers and society. One responsibility to the society that Mattel is performing is their commitment to protecting the privacy of their online customers when visiting their website or purchasing a product online. By assuring parents that their children’s privacy will be respected, Mattel demonstrates that that is takes its responsibility of marketing to children very seriously. They are also responsible for product safety, quality, protecting the environment, customs, evaluation and monitoring and compliance. Mattel’s business partners must have high standards for product safety and quality, adhering to practices that met Mattel’s safety and quality standards, which have been seriously violated in the past. Also, because of the global nature of Mattel’s business and its history of leadership in this area, the company insists that business partners strictly adhere to local and international customs laws. Partners must comply with all import and export regulations. The company also seeks to maintain an independent monitoring system that provides checks and balances to help ensure that standards are met. If certain aspects of Mattel’s manufacturing principles are not met, Mattel will try to work with contractors to help them fix their problems. New partners will not be hired unless they meet Mattel’s standards. If corrective action is advised but not taken, Mattel will terminate...
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...Mattel Case Study Mattel Case Study Travis Horbulyk 100119910 February 9th, 2012 Problems: * Decrease in market share * Damage to their brand image Issues: * Unable to keep up with changing technology * Children not playing with toys as much as they use to * Battered reputation due to the safety of their toys SWOT Analysis: * Strengths * Brand Name * Strong customer base * Excellent variety of products for both boys and girls * Mattel has been in the fore front of the toy industry for 6o years * Strong online privacy policy * Controls fate of Barbie’s main competitor, Bratz. * Has excellent Global Manufacturing Principles * Weaknesses * Battered brand image over recent series of recalls * Losing control of their products and company image due to the outsourcing of their manufacturing to third party overseas manufacturers * They have little pricing power due to heavy reliance on Wal-Mart and Target * Keeping children’s interest when they are growing into the tween demographic. * Opportunities * Online and Video Game Market * Barbie retail store * Social Media * Create new alliances with other companies to help market products * Changing focus from traditional toys (Barbies/Hot Wheels) to electronic toys * Moving production from china back to the United States or a more sustainable country * Threats ...
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...1) Estrategia de mercadotecnica: Producto: Caracteristicas que buscan las ninas que tenga su muneca: 1) Que este de moda y que sea la mas innovadora, para obtener reconocimiento en su circulo social. 2) Que cuente con una amplia variedad de accesorios y ropa. 3) Que muestre un rostro de ternura caracteristico de los bebes. 4) Que sea lo mas real posible con mecanismos que les permitan reproducir la satisfaccion de las necesidades fisiologicas de los bebes. Principales marcas de Mattel> Little Mommy: Despues de Nenuco, es la marca mas recordada por las ninas. Cuenta con una amplia linea de accesorios. (Pertenece a Fisher Price – seguridad y calidad). Miracle Baby: Cuenta con muchos accesorios , como babero, sonaja y mamila, ademas de que cuenta con caracteristicas fisiologicas. Otras marcas: Princesa Alexa y Bebe Estrella> Ofrecen caracteristicas unicas como certificado de nacimiento y adopcion, aparte de contar con accesorios innovadores. Bebe estrella es percibida como la muneca mas abrazable. Niveles de producto> Base: Es el concepto principal de cuidar algo que es suyo. Estimulan las emociones de las ninas relacionados a la maternidad, que imitaran las actitudes de sus madres. Se desarrolla el respeto, reponsabilidad y cuidado de algo que les pertenece. Real: Las distintas caracteristicas que tienen las muñecas son de textura de cuerpo suave o duro, variedad de tamanos, cabello imitacion natural, y amplia variedad de ropa y accesorios...
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...Eckhart, CEO of Mattel (US), had a problem Mattel had discovered on July 30 that a number of its toys manufactured in China contained lead paint The following month had seen a series of recalls, rising political tensions between the United States and Chinese governments, and a suicide But no company had been in China longer than Mattel; the original Barbie had been created there in 1959 Mattel had a depth of experience and a longevity of relationships which should have prevented it. In the end it was those relationships and that longevity which may have contributed to the product safety failures. Global Supply Chains and Risk Toys were based on a global supply chain which was highly sensitive to petrochemical (plastics) and labor input costs, environmental and human rights sensitivities to socially responsible and sustainable business practices, transportation and logistic disruptions, border crossings, cost and time to market – all of which added to risk. Mattel had established its Global Manufacturing Principles in 1997, in which it established principles and practices for all companies and sites which manufactured Mattel products, either company owned or licensed manufacturing • First Chinese Signal – The crisis had actually begun in June when U.S. toy maker RC2 recalled 1.5 million Thomas the Tank Engine products made in Guangdong, the Chinese province adjacent to Hong Kong and long the center for contract manufacturing by Western firms. • Mattel followed with a...
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...Mattel Toys. Just the thought of those two words brings to mind fun, a trusted brand, and children playing happily. Right? Maybe not. In 2007 there was a massive recall of toys, eighty-percent of which were made in China and coated in leaded paint (Lawrence/Weber). These were toys for little children. Little children usually put toys in their mouths, the toys get slobbered on, the leaded paint chips, little children obviously eat the paint chips and little children get become very ill. While Mattel had policies in place, it did not meet its ethical responsibility to its stakeholders and customers. Mattel has an ethical and corporate responsibility to manufacture a product that is safe for children, to take responsibility when their products are found to be unsafe and to follow government and company regulations to ensure safety. Mattel was believed to be one of the most trusted toy companies around the world that operated in 155 countries. They produced some of the most famous toys for children, such as Barbie, Cabbage Patch Kids, Fisher-Price, and many, many other amazing toys. Beyond concerns about marketing to children, Mattel, Inc. was making a serious commitment to business ethics. For example, Mattel started a code of conduct called "Global Manufacturing Principles” (Mattel.com). These philosophies required all business partners to commit to ethical standards that relate to safety, wages, and adherence to local laws However, recently Mattel was involved in a product...
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...Elizabeth Harris MGMT 430 Week 8 Assignment 2 Mattel designs, manufactures, and markets a broad variety of toy products worldwide through sales to its customers and directly to consumers. Mattel’s business is dependant in great part on its ability each year to redesign restyle, and extend existing core products and product lines, to design and develop innovative new products and product lines, and successfully market those products and product lines. Mattel plans to continue to focus on its portfolio of traditional brands that have historically had worldwide appeal, to create new brands utilizing its knowledge of children’s play patterns and to target customers and consumer preferences around the world. The objective of Mattel is to continue to create long-term stockholder values by generating strong cash flow and deploying it in a disciplined and opportunistic manner which is outlined in Mattel’s capital a investment framework. To achieve this objective, management has established these three overarching goals. The first goal is to grow core brands by continuing to develop popular toys that are innovative and responsive to current play patterns and other trends. Additionally, Mattel plans to pursue additional licensing arrangements and strategic partnerships to extend its portfolio of brands into areas outside of traditional toys. The second goal is to improve execution in areas including manufacturing, distribution, and selling. Mattel continues to focus on improving the efficiency...
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...The 2007 Mattel Toy Recall RESEARCH About Mattel Mattel, “the world’s premiere toy company,” began in Southern California in a garage workshop that manufactured picture frames. When the company started selling dollhouse furniture made from picture frame scraps, they realized the market potential and decided switch to toy manufacturing. In 1959, Mattel created their most popular toy, the Barbie doll. Inspired by paper dolls, Barbie was a three dimensional doll with which “little girls could play out their dreams.” Throughout the decades Mattel has continued to create and market popular toys, (Hot Wheels and He-man) merge with successful manufacturers, (Fisher Price and Tyco) partner with children’s program companies, (Disney, Sesame Street, and Nickelodeon) obtain licenses and rights to manufacture popular lines (Cabbage Patch Dolls and Harry Potter merchandise) and acquire other companies (Pleasant Company). Since its conception, the Mattel Company has done a lot to make sure it is considered a trustworthy company for children and the community. The corporation established a children’s charity, called the Mattel Children’s Foundation. In 1997 the company created the Global Manufacturing Principles, making them the first company to create a framework to ensure manufacturing would be conducted through consistent standards on a global level. In 1998 they started a $25 million multi-year donation to the UCLA children’s hospital, which is now called the Mattel Children’s...
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...surrounding Mattel Inc., one of the world’s largest toy companies, is their mismanagement of international subcontractors and vendors and the production of certain toys (the manufacturing process), as well as their inability to adapt their marketing strategy or product to the constantly changing “demographic and socioeconomic trends” (Ferrell, et. all 466). This is supported by Mattel’s legal battle with Carter Bryant and MGA, their forced recall of certain toys that were manufactured overseas, and the increasing rate at which traditional toys are becoming less appealing to today’s young audience. Essentially, Mattel’s mismanagement and oversight lead to violations in terms of ethical and social responsibilities and safety standards. Issues Relevant to the Problem: Mattel’s problem of mismanagement can be divided into several issues that need to be considered: legal issues, international supply chain issues, and an increase in technology-based toys. In regards to legal issues, Mattel has been involved in prolonged litigation with Carter Bryant and MGA over a breach of an employment contract and copyright infringement. Due to Mattel’s poor management of its overseas manufacturers, in which unauthorized subcontractors and third-party suppliers were hired and unsafe materials used, several toy products were recalled. Advances in technology and changes in socioeconomic and demographic trends have created marketing, privacy, and product development issues for Mattel. Analysis...
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...following questions: * What unethical research behavior was involved? * Who were the injured parties? * How has the unethical behavior affected the organization, the individual, and society? * How could the unethical behavior be avoided or resolved? Mattel Inc. was founded in 1945 by Harold “Matt” Matson and Elliot handler and is one of todays leading American toy manufacturing companies. The company is most recognized for its all American girl doll, Barbie. The Barbie line skyrocket sales and made Mattel not only a household name but also a global one. Al though their journey to the top was not as glamorous as Barbie’s life. Crisis at Mattel occurred on December 17, 1996 when NBCs new program Dateline aired an investigative report about the company. The exploited the company’s Indonesian factory for underage workers, long workdays, and excessive overtime. Global manufacturing had become a common practice for global chains, like Mattel, and as it increased so did the concern for worker exploitation. Economies were poverty, abundant labor, and still a high demand for jobs provided opportunities to shift production from high wage countries to low wage countries. Although, Mattel disputed some of the findings in the investigative report, but also realized...
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...Mattel Recalls 2007 Communication Implications for Quality Control, Outsourcing, and Consumer Relations [ABSTRACT] In August 2007, America's largest toy manufacturer announced the first of what would become five recalls involving 21 million toys—most of which were manufactured in China. This case study and teaching note examine a corporate response to a global crisis and consider the unique communications challenges facing a corporation that operates in an international, crosscultural arena. The teaching note critiques the response’s suitability to the level and impact of the crisis and recommends alternatives. It illustrates that communicators should be cognizant of their international stakeholders and should proactively manage global issues of public concern such as outsourcing and product safety. An example would be that to avert future recalls, Mattel should work closely with its Chinese suppliers and government agencies to implement realistic quality control solutions for which it can be held accountable. The company must reassure stakeholders that outsourcing to China does not mean sacrificing quality. Regaining consumer confidence and controlling the dissemination of product safety information requires strong corporate communicators who can delicately and deliberately balance complex relationships. Table of Contents I. Case Study 1. Overview 2. Company History 2.1 Beginnings 2.2 Reorganization as Mattel, Inc. 2.3 Products 2.4 Accolades for Ethics 2.5 Financial Performance...
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...case is about the recalls of 2007 by Mattel Toys produced in China due to lead found in paint used to produce the toys and due to loose magnets that could cause serious injury to children if ingested. Mattel blamed the lead paint problem on its Chinese suppliers who had subcontracted with other suppliers. The media storm around the recalls caused a loss of consumer confidence in the “Made in China” brand. Chinese officials felt that Mattel unfairly blamed Chinese suppliers for all the recall problems when in fact, the lead issue was relatively small and the remainder of the recalls was due to design problems over which the Chinese suppliers had no control. They were merely producing the products Mattel had designed in the U.S. and had no control over the design process. Evaluate Alternatives Mattel seems to have lost touch with some of the links in its supply chain for the lead paint related toys and there was a lack of enforcement if the suppliers didn’t follow Mattel’s rules. Some Chinese suppliers also subcontracted to other suppliers who also did not comply with Mattel requirements and Mattel wasn’t aware of the subcontracting. For example, Lee Der was a high quality, trusted manufacturing company which had worked exclusively for Mattel since its founding. Lee Der’s paint supplier was Dongxing New Energy, owned by a best friend of Lee Der’s deputy chair, Chueng. Dongxing was not on the approved supplier list for Mattel and Mattel had not noticed this fact or overlooked...
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