Meghan Markle’s attempt to establish herself with a lifestyle brand launch has recently come under intense scrutiny, with experts dissecting what they call her most significant and irreversible misstep.
British PR expert Nick Ede has particularly weighed in, criticizing the missteps in Markle’s brand strategy for "American Riviera Orchard," stating that it set her back significantly in her business pursuits. Ede's commentary, reported by Express UK, points out how poorly executed the brand’s launch was, stressing that the approach did more harm than good. According to Ede, the key error was in the way Meghan attempted to create initial engagement and anticipation.
"When building a brand, you’re creating anticipation," he explains, emphasizing that excitement and narrative continuity are essential. Yet Markle’s approach, he says, failed to sustain the interest she initially sparked.
At the start, Meghan followed a standard playbook for brand launches. She created an Instagram page, began to generate buzz, and even sent samples—such as jams—to high-profile celebrities with large followings. “This is branding 101; it’s exactly what you should do to build excitement and attract initial interest,” Ede acknowledged. However, he argued that Meghan's critical mistake was halting the campaign abruptly without any cohesive follow-up, leaving fans and followers without a clear brand story or further engagement.
“This sudden halt left followers and potential customers with no direction—no website, no merchandise, no mailing list—nothing to keep them connected or engaged,” he pointed out. "There’s no product for people to buy, no way to register for updates, no email newsletters to sustain interest. All these essential touchpoints were missing, which means she’s lost the momentum and, in PR terms, you often can't get that back."
An industry insider with connections to Martha Stewart also shared insights with The Irish Star, remarking on Stewart's reaction to comparisons being made between the two women. According to the source, “Martha’s frustrated by the constant questions about her opinion on Meghan’s venture. To her, it’s insulting to be compared to a newcomer with limited experience in the business.”
Ultimately, experts agree that Meghan Markle’s brand launch mistakes serve as a lesson in how critical it is to maintain a coherent, continuous strategy when establishing a new brand—especially one vying for space in the crowded lifestyle market.
