Meghan Markle‘s lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard, is tipped to be an instant “success” when it finally launches worldwide for one key reason, according to one PR expert.
The Duchess of Sussex revealed her latest business venture earlier this year but recently, speculation has been growing over when the official launch will take place.
Meghan has so far teased the world with a promotional video from when the brand’s Instagram page first landed in March, its logo and just three products to be sold under its name, strawberry jam, raspberry jam and dog biscuits.
The products have so far received mixed reviews from the public with some royal watchers questioning the brand’s prospect for success as well as timing, which happened to clash with the Royal Family’s diary.
But according to one PR specialist, Meghan’s brand will do “very well” no matter when it’s launched, as the duchess is currently seeing an “increase” in her popularity “globally”, following her and Prince Harry‘s tour in Nigeria back in May.
Abesi Manyando, author and founder of the public relations and branding development firm Abesi PR, the Royal Family’s schedule will have no “significance” on the success of American Riviera Orchard because Meghan herself is a “very relevant figure” in media and her popularity is “not limited to Britain”.
She explained to the Express: “I think Meghan’s brand will do very well no matter when it’s launched. I do think there is a higher demand for its release since her popularity has increased globally and outside of Britain.
“So launching this year would be great but there’s no rush because she’s a very relevant figure in media. I do not believe there is any significance with timing the launch of her brand based on when the royals are working or not since her popularity is not limited to Britain.”
The expert also dismissed claims that the duchess is “struggling” to find staff for her new brand made recently by a UK-based royal commentator, saying: “I don’t believe that she is having a difficult time staffing her brand because there is zero evidence of that and the criticism is second-hand hearsay.”
Ms Manyando previously told the Express, that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s recent trip to Nigeria has boosted their popularity and built up even bigger anticipation for the launch.
She explained: “When Meghan wears something it immediately and factually sells out or triples in demand and sales.
“We saw this with the extreme demand for her outfits during her Nigeria trip. It’s like the Princess Diana effect.
“I believe there is high anticipation’ for a drop and the demand for her lifestyle brand has increased after her Nigeria trip.
“So whenever she does release her brand of products it’s going to be very successful, especially in the United States.”