Meghan Markle’s budding lifestyle venture, American Riviera Orchard, appears to be encountering significant challenges, according to a recent assessment by PR and branding specialist Matt Yanofsky.
Launched with high hopes in March, the Duchess of Sussex’s brand promised a diverse range of lifestyle products spanning from gourmet foods to home goods and even pet care items. However, the official debut remains elusive, leaving fans and observers questioning the brand’s direction.
Yanofsky, an experienced voice in brand strategy, conveyed his concerns over the brand’s ability to gain traction. “If I were an investor, I would be considering pulling my money out,” he remarked, suggesting that the venture is facing internal pressures. “The current atmosphere seems almost desperate, with people scrambling to recoup investments,” he added.
Despite the enthusiasm surrounding Markle’s foray into the lifestyle market, Yanofsky cautioned that success may be elusive without robust backing and consumer appeal. “One of the products might gain traction, or perhaps a partnership with a leading manufacturer could offer stability. But from an external perspective, it feels like people are in a rush to make the investment profitable,” he observed.
A major question for Markle’s brand is whether her fan base is broad and loyal enough to support such an endeavor. “It boils down to this: does Meghan have a following that’s strong enough to sustain a lifestyle brand?” Yanofsky pondered. “The brand needs momentum before the financial clock runs out, and that’s an uphill challenge.”
Further complicating matters, American Riviera Orchard has encountered obstacles with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), which raised concerns over the brand’s logo and questioned the use of geographical terms in its trademark application. These legal issues could delay the brand’s progression, adding to the pressure on its management team to overcome branding and regulatory hurdles.
Yanofsky underscored that while unexpected successes in the lifestyle market are always possible, investors are likely growing wary as these issues accumulate. “Right now, if I were an investor, I’d be anxious about potential returns. It almost feels like the brand doesn’t fully exist yet—it might evolve over time, but as things stand, it’s a risky proposition,” he concluded.
As Markle navigates these complexities, her next steps will be pivotal. The brand’s future hinges on strategic moves that can translate her popularity into sustainable growth. In the high-stakes world of lifestyle branding, American Riviera Orchard will need both visionary planning and loyal consumer support to rise above these initial setbacks.
