Reportedly, Meghan Markle is facing new backlash from her investors over the failure of her brand, American Riviera Orchard. Just how angry are they? Meghan is now facing fresh criticism from her investors due to the struggles of American Riviera Orchard. Experts are voicing significant concerns about her brand, and it appears she’s still trying to launch it, albeit possibly under a new name. However, there are some serious issues that need addressing.
Over the past few months, Meghan has reportedly struggled to hire a CEO for her brand. The question is: why? Could it be the various allegations claiming she bullies her employees? It looks like she might be blacklisted. If you want to know more, check out my previous video—I’ll link it in the description below.
Now, a PR and brand marketing expert, Matt Yanowski, shared his thoughts with The Times, stating, “I would have major concerns if I were an investor. With Meghan trying to hire a CEO, this is a major red flag for future investors.” He emphasized the need for a solid business plan, saying, “If I’m an investor, I’m telling her she needs to find a CEO with a direct business plan that will show profitability or at least a revenue plan within the next 60 to 90 days. Otherwise, I’m pulling my money out.” Yanowski also noted, “I’d be happy to eat my words and wish her the best, but right now, the brand seems like it’s the wrong product with the wrong people.”
Looking back, the brand launched earlier this year, but nothing has been made available for public consumption since. Reports suggest that it’s generating zero revenue. If you check out her Instagram page—the only social media presence I’m aware of for her brand—you’ll find that no updates have been posted since the initial launch. Sure, there was a brief promotional video, but it didn’t clarify much about the brand’s purpose or offerings.
The last notable mention of the brand occurred when Meghan seemingly tried to overshadow Princess Catherine’s return to public royal life during Trooping the Colour earlier this year. She used her pal, Natur Fiera, to post about “Megan’s Jam Dog Biscuits” for her new brand on Instagram. We all saw through that, right? That was the last significant promotion for American Riviera Orchard.
Now, rumors are swirling that if this brand does launch, it won’t be dog biscuits or jam. Instead, the first product could be a bottle of rosé wine that might generate significant revenue. According to the Daily Mail, it makes infinite commercial sense for Meghan’s first product to be wine, as it could net her much more money than any other cheaper items. However, this presents a problem: Meghan’s brand image is suffering. If she’s not well-liked, potential customers are unlikely to support what she’s trying to sell.
Investors face two significant issues. Firstly, American Riviera Orchard has made no money in the six to seven months since its launch. Secondly, the public perception of who they’re investing in is increasingly negative, with allegations surfacing that Meghan is a “tyrant in high heels,” a “bully,” and a “toxic” figure. Her public image continues to deteriorate, which means anything she promotes will likely be viewed through a negative lens.
The foundation of the brand that investors have backed is shaky, not solely because of Meghan’s personal issues but also because of the name itself. As I reported a couple of weeks ago with my good friend, DC lawyer John Witherspoon, she needs to consider changing the brand name, as the trademark application for "American Riviera Orchard" was rejected.
So, it’s no surprise that investors are now expressing their dissatisfaction with Meghan. Seven to eight months down the line, nothing has launched, and as far as we know, she’s not generating any revenue from this brand.
Moreover, she hasn’t promoted anything for months regarding what she might be selling. While there are whispers about her first product being wine, that confuses matters, especially given that her celebrity friends have previously promoted dog biscuits and jam. What is the brand really about
Given the recent allegations of bullying and the overall toxic perception surrounding Meghan, how long will it be before investors pull out? I’d wager it could happen sooner rather than later.
