Megan Markle once again finds herself under scrutiny over her lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard. Despite her high-profile name and considerable resources, Megan’s venture is facing a significant branding setback that’s causing her team to scramble. It appears that Megan, who anticipated that simply attaching her name to her latest business endeavor would lead to success, has encountered a reality check of epic proportions.
Her team, led by top U.S. attorney Marjorie Witter Norman, recently filed for legal protection of the name American Riviera Orchard with the Patent and Trademark Office. Unfortunately, their application has been flatly rejected. Trademark officials have ruled that Megan's branding choice is primarily geographically descriptive and thus ineligible for trademark protection. They explained that because Megan resides in Montecito, the term "American Riviera" is too closely tied to a geographic location to be claimed exclusively. In simple terms, Megan's grand vision of marketing herself as the epitome of Californian sophistication has backfired. This serves as a harsh lesson in the realities of branding, illustrating that even the most star-studded names aren't immune to such challenges.
As Megan scrambles to amend her application, one might wonder if Brooklyn Beckham could offer some sage advice. Brooklyn, often criticized as the “failure to launch” of the Beckham clan, has been making strides in the business world that make Megan’s stumble look minor by comparison. In an interview this June, Brooklyn announced his entry into the food industry, revealing plans to launch a product at Whole Foods this September. His project, which he describes as a passion project over two years in the making, showcases a level of dedication and personal investment that is rare among celebrities.
Brooklyn’s business journey has been far from smooth, but his approach remains refreshingly grounded. He invested his own funds, navigated the trials of finding a distributor, and tackled the complexities of starting a business on his own before securing investors. Despite facing challenges, he has avoided public whining or blame-shifting, instead focusing on the work—a stark contrast to Megan’s public and often performative attempts to champion her brand.
Unlike Megan, who seems to have a knack for stirring controversy and seeking attention, Brooklyn has maintained a relatively low profile. His business ventures have encountered hiccups, but his approach is characterized by humility and dedication that Megan could certainly learn from. At least Brooklyn isn’t engaging in daily public spectacles or leveraging every media appearance for self-promotion.
When contrasting Brooklyn’s earnest business efforts with Megan’s high-profile blunders, it becomes clear that celebrity status doesn’t automatically translate into business acumen. Brooklyn’s decision to build something meaningful rather than relying on his name speaks volumes about his approach, especially compared to Megan’s often superficial strategies. While Brooklyn Beckham may not be the most celebrated member of the Beckham clan, his genuine efforts and commitment to his business offer a stark contrast to Megan’s faltering endeavors.
