The much-anticipated launch of American Riviera Orchard turned into a spectacle of failure.
Meghan Markle's attempt to promote the brand during her trip to Nigeria to gain Instagram followers for the bland brand went terribly wrong. Instead of gaining followers in a country of 200 million people, her follower count actually decreased. It seems someone forgot to gauge the cultural context. If Meghan had focused more on crafting a solid launch strategy rather than just parading around, perhaps things would have turned out differently. However, Meghan's habit of disregarding advice and charging forward as an expert in everything led to disaster.
Nevertheless, Megan hired a PR expert to salvage the wreckage of the American Riviera Orchard launch. Predictably, the expert's analysis was as harsh as a midsummer sunburn. From strategy to execution to outcomes, every aspect of Megan's plan was a resounding failure. If this were a school project, it would have earned her a one-way ticket to detention. If it were a consultant's proposal, they'd be starting from scratch again.
Let's rewind to March 14th when American Riviera Orchard made its online debut. A minimalist website with no product information left visitors hungry for more. The Instagram account was a barren wasteland, devoid of interaction or excitement for the upcoming launch. Fast forward to mid-April, and Megan attempted to generate buzz by sending jars of strawberry jam to influencers, mostly her own friends. However, only a handful of them bothered to post about it, and even fewer gave it any real attention. The moment fizzled out faster than a damp firework.
In the eyes of the PR expert, American Riviera Orchard had the potential to be a success story. However, Megan's leadership, or lack thereof, led to its demise. No amount of engagement strategies or social media magic can resurrect this sinking ship. Megan's belief in her own charisma as a sales tool proved to be her downfall.
But here's the twist: Megan's sudden silence is not due to arrogance but rather feeling let down by the public's lack of enthusiasm. She had hoped her presence alone would be enough to sell the brand, but reality hit hard. Now, she's contemplating a repositioning as a lifestyle influencer akin to Gwyneth Paltrow. However, her team, reliant on hefty paychecks, dare not point out any flaws. Instead, they offer reassurances and promises to reevaluate.
Meanwhile, production at the orchard has stalled, leaving Megan feeling deflated despite the warm reception in Nigeria. She's realizing that not everyone is on board with her vision. It's time for Megan to reassess her strategy and target audience, but will she listen?
