In the latest royal spectacle, Johnny Gaines didn't hold back in critiquing Megan's unfortunate choice of brand name, which was nothing short of absolute nonsense.
Meghan unveiled her new lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard, to a reception that could be generously described as less than enthusiastic. Even Jenna Gaines, hailed as the queen of lifestyle branding, couldn't resist throwing some shade at what could only be deemed a branding disaster.
The name, reminiscent of something you might stumble upon on a poorly translated menu in a tourist trap, has faced universal criticism, serving as a prime example of Megan's detachment from reality.
In a display of her infinite wisdom, Megan took to Instagram to share a glimpse of her grand vision, which apparently involves parading around her $14 million mansion in ball gowns. Hardly relatable, is it? The moniker, inspired by a Santa Barbara Holmes low cal, dubbed the American Riviera for its scenic beauty, manages to be both pompous and utterly devoid of meaning to the average person.
It's as if Megan tossed a bunch of fancy-sounding words into a blender and hoped for the best. Critics, including the Royal News Network, have been swift to point out Megan's knack for terrible naming and branding, labeling this latest venture as long-winded and downright confusing.
The promotional video, featuring Megan meandering through her estate in outrageously expensive attire, has been ridiculed for its blatant disconnect from the average person's lifestyle. Comparisons have been drawn to Blake Lively's Preserve, a similar venture that flopped. Users across social media platforms have voiced their confusion and irritation, branding the name as pretentious, nonsensical, and a sad attempt at leveraging Megan's duchess title for commercial gain.
The decision to dub a tiny slice of California as the American Riviera reeks of American-centric arrogance, dismissing the existence of numerous other rivieras in the US and Mexico. Megan's insistence on this name, despite its clear absurdity, paints a picture of a duchess surrounded by yes-men too afraid to challenge her questionable ideas. Johnny Gaines' critique resonates with many, capturing the general bewilderment and disdain for Megan's latest foray into lifestyle branding.
The name "American Riviera Orchard" tells us nothing about the brand except, perhaps, that Megan is desperately clinging to her royal status to sell whatever it is she's offering. Megan has learned nothing; she doesn't know how to market anything. The names are a mouthful, and Megan doesn't even seem to know what American Riviera Orchard is.
When creating a brand, the name often reflects the creator's identity. Take Goop, for instance, which derives from Gwyneth Paltrow's initials with two O's in between. Paltrow once shared in an interview that she was advised that brands with double O's tend to achieve immense success. Despite its controversial products like vagina-scented candles and jade eggs, Goop has achieved remarkable success, raking in millions.
Megan has previously attempted to emulate this strategy with The Tig and even ventured into it with Sussex Royal before encountering objections from the queen, as profiting from royal status isn't permitted. The only thing clear from this branding fiasco is Megan's inability to connect with the audience that she claims to serve, further solidifying her status as the out-of-touch Duchess of Sussex.
Linn Carrot from Pressbox PR has slammed Megan for hypocrisy over the launch of her new luxury brand. Miss Carrot questioned, "Who has a luxury kitchen like that in their home?" and raised concerns about the affordability of the products. She emphasized the need for consistency and authenticity in Megan's brand, highlighting the importance of fostering the right PR strategy.
