Meghan Markle needs to ‘copy Kim K’ & ‘show a softer side’ to make American Riviera Orchard a success, claims brand pro
MEGHAN Markle has launched her new lifestyle brand by sending 50 jars of jam to friends and influencers.
But a branding expert has said that in order for the Duchess of Sussex to succeed in her new venture, she needs to show the “warm, real side of her”.
American Riviera Orchard will reportedly sell home goods, such as cookbooks, food and kitchenware when it launches for the public.
PR guru Abesi Manyando told the Telegraph that Meghan should take a leaf out of reality star Kim Kardashian’s book with her brand.
They said: “When she was in the UK, Meghan was very good at speaking with people on the ground and showing empathy and emotion. To really harness her power, she needs to make content that’s not so glossy and edited and considered. I’d like to see more of that warm, real side of her.
“That’s how people make a connection to a personal brand and that’s how you can feel relatable even when you have such a high net worth and status.
“Kim Kardashian is a master of this.”
Sussex rebrand
We recently shared how the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have hired a new communication officer, Charlie Gipson, who will represent them in the UK.
It’s the first time since ‘Megxit’ – when the couple stepped down from royal duties in 2020 – that they have hired a permanent member of staff who is based in the UK.
Some people have been hailing the new hiring as being part of Meghan and Harry’s global rebrand, which has been dubbed “Heghan 2.0.”
Abesi claimed that Meghan “realised that she needed a UK publicist to ‘read the room’.”
This was due to “backlash” of her brand launch at a time when King Charles and Kate Middleton are undergoing cancer treatment, and the UK is having a cost of living crisis.
The PR expert said the American Riviera Orchard launch timing “wasn’t as sensitive as it could have been.”
And it has been suggested the couple need a fresh start following criticism over their Netflix documentary, Harry’s bombshell Spare memoir, and Meghan having a low popularity with the public in a recent poll.
Abesi also shared how Meghan should shake up her Archetypes podcast to make it a success, following Spotify ending their deal last June.
She added: “When it comes to her podcast, I’d advise Meghan to champion real people with interesting stories from under-represented backgrounds, rather than just using her celebrity friends.”
When she was in the UK, Meghan was very good at speaking with people on the ground and showing empathy and emotion. To really harness her power, she needs to make content that’s not so glossy and edited and considered. I’d like to see more of that warm, real side of her
Abesi Manyando
Meghan’s products
A trademark application for ‘American Riviera Orchard’ showed Meghan could sell cutlery, decanters, legume-based spreads and even napkin rings.
So far the launch of the brand has been teased by Meghan sending branded jams to 50 close friends and some influencers, including Chrissy Teigen, Heather Dorak, Tracy Robbins and Kris Jenner.
Many royal fans have posted their enthusiasm for the launch on social media, with one saying: “So excited for these lovely heavenly jams from American Riviera Orchard, a wellness brand I will subscribe to!”
Another added: “The more things they add to the list of potential products for American Riviera Orchard, the more excited I get. I’ll buy everything there.”
What is Meghan Markle’s new business?
Meghan Markle has launched a new Instagram brand called American Riviera Orchard.
Industry insiders said the site will focus on home, food, garden and lifestyle goods.
A source told the Mail: “It’s a lifestyle and cooking brand called American Riviera Orchard.
“The brand is meant to coincide with the launch of a new cookery show for Netflix.
“Meghan will be making, and selling, products such as jams. And at some point there will be a book and blog etc.”
Currently the Instagram page has 617,000 followers, despite the page only having nine images showing the beautiful logo.
This follows Meghan, 42, closing her former lifestyle page, The Tig, in April 2017, shortly after she started dating Prince Harry.
Sussex shows
We recently shared how the Duchess of Sussex is set to launch a new series on “cooking, gardening and friendship”.
She and Harry have two untitled non-fiction projects in production.
The shows form part of the “creative partnership” Archewell Productions signed with the streaming giant in 2020.
The first series will focus on Meghan and explore “the joys of cooking, gardening, entertaining, and friendship”, according to Deadline.
The second series will follow the couple’s love of professional polo.
Primarily shot at the US Open Polo Championship in Wellington, Florida, the project will be produced by Boardwalk Pictures.
Prince Harry, 39, is known as a keen polo player.
The couple launched their documentary Harry and Meghan in 2022, offering an insight into their relationship.