Meghan Markle is once again facing public scrutiny, this time over her lifestyle brand, "American Riviera Orchard."
Despite her high-profile name and access to considerable resources, Meghan's latest venture has encountered a significant branding setback, leaving her team scrambling to address the issue. It seems that Meghan, who may have assumed that simply attaching her name to the business would guarantee success, has come face to face with a harsh reality check. Her branding strategy has not gone as planned, resulting in what could be considered a failure of epic proportions.
Led by top U.S. attorney Marg Witer Norman, Meghan's team recently sought legal protection for the "American Riviera Orchard" name by filing a trademark application with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. However, the application was swiftly rejected. Trademark officials ruled that Meghan’s chosen brand name was “primarily geographically descriptive,” making it ineligible for trademark protection. Since Meghan resides in Montecito, the term "American Riviera" is too closely associated with a specific geographic area to be claimed exclusively for commercial purposes. In simpler terms, Meghan’s attempt to market herself as the embodiment of Californian sophistication has backfired.
This serves as a harsh lesson in the complexities of branding, demonstrating that even the most famous names are not immune to these challenges. As Meghan’s team scrambles to revise their application, it raises the question of whether she might benefit from advice from someone like Brooklyn Beckham. Often criticized as the "failure to launch" of the Beckham family, Brooklyn has nonetheless been making strides in the business world that make Meghan's branding struggles seem minor by comparison.
In a June interview, Brooklyn announced his entry into the food industry, revealing plans to launch a product at Whole Foods in September. His venture, which he describes as a passion project over two years in the making, reflects a level of dedication and personal involvement that is rare among celebrities. Despite the obstacles he has faced, Brooklyn’s approach to business remains grounded and humble.
Unlike many celebrity-driven enterprises, Brooklyn invested his own money, navigated the difficulties of finding a distributor, and took on the complexities of building a business from the ground up. Only after proving his concept did he bring in outside investors. Throughout the process, he has managed to avoid public complaints or shifting blame when things went wrong, focusing instead on the hard work required to achieve success. This stands in stark contrast to Meghan's public efforts, which often appear more performative than practical.
While Meghan has a talent for attracting controversy and media attention, Brooklyn has maintained a relatively low profile. His business endeavors may not be without their own challenges, but his approach is marked by humility and dedication—traits that Meghan could certainly learn from. Unlike Meghan, Brooklyn isn't constantly making headlines for personal drama or using every media appearance as an opportunity for self-promotion.
When comparing Brooklyn’s earnest business efforts to Meghan’s high-profile stumbles, it becomes clear that celebrity status alone does not translate into business acumen. Brooklyn’s choice to focus on building something meaningful, rather than relying solely on his family name, speaks volumes about his character and strategy. In contrast, Meghan’s superficial branding tactics have left her struggling to establish credibility in the business world. Although Brooklyn may not be the most celebrated member of the Beckham family, his genuine efforts and commitment to his work offer a sharp contrast to Meghan’s faltering ventures.
