Meghan Markle once again finds herself in the spotlight, this time over her lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard.
Despite her high-profile status and significant resources, Meghan’s venture is facing a branding debacle, forcing her team into an urgent scramble. It appears Meghan assumed that simply attaching her name to a new business endeavor would lead to immediate success. However, reality has delivered a harsh lesson of epic proportions. Her legal team, led by prominent U.S. attorney Marjorie Witter Norman, recently filed an application with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) seeking legal protection for the name "American Riviera Orchard."
Unfortunately for Meghan, the application was flatly rejected. The USPTO determined that the branding choice was primarily geographically descriptive, making it ineligible for trademark protection. They explained that since Meghan resides in Montecito, California, a region often referred to as the "American Riviera," the term cannot be claimed exclusively as a trademark. In simpler terms, Meghan's vision of marketing herself as the embodiment of Californian sophistication has backfired. It is a sharp reminder that even the most famous names are not immune to the pitfalls of branding. As her team scrambles to amend the application, one might wonder if advice from someone like Brooklyn Beckham could offer a fresh perspective.
Brooklyn Beckham, often regarded as the "failure to launch" within the Beckham family, has been making strides in the business world that make Meghan’s struggles appear as minor setbacks. In an interview this past June, Brooklyn revealed plans to enter the food industry, with a product set to launch in Whole Foods this September. His project, which he claims has been a passion project for over two years, reflects a level of personal investment and dedication that is rare among celebrities. Unlike Meghan, who is often at the center of public attention and controversy, Brooklyn has pursued his business venture with a quiet determination.
Brooklyn's journey into the food industry has not been without challenges. He invested his own funds, faced the trials of finding a distributor, and navigated the complexities of launching a product independently before securing investors. Despite these hurdles, he has not resorted to public complaints or shifting blame. Instead, Brooklyn focused on putting in the work, an approach that stands in sharp contrast to Meghan's more performative attempts to champion her brand. While Meghan often stirs up controversy and seeks media attention, Brooklyn has maintained a relatively low profile, demonstrating humility and perseverance in his business endeavors.
It is hard not to compare Brooklyn’s earnest attempts at establishing himself in the business world with Meghan’s high-profile missteps. While Brooklyn quietly builds his presence in the food industry, Meghan grapples with basic branding issues. This contrast serves as a striking example of how celebrity status does not automatically equate to business acumen. Brooklyn’s decision to focus on creating something meaningful, rather than relying solely on his famous last name, speaks volumes about his approach. Meghan, on the other hand, often appears to prioritize superficial strategies over substance.
Though Brooklyn Beckham may not be the most celebrated member of his family, his genuine efforts and commitment to his business ventures offer a stark contrast to Meghan’s faltering endeavors. His ability to tackle challenges with humility and persistence is a lesson in resilience, one that Meghan might benefit from as she navigates the complexities of building her own brand.
