American Riviera Orchard and Meghan Markle

[Anonymous]

Yes, timing is interesting. This must have been in the works for a while, so it's maybe a question of why she didn't delay the announcement.

[Anonymous]

Absolutely ridiculous. Whatever next?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Terrible name (the People article explains why they chose it but it’s so clunky). Sounds like from the trademark application, she’s going to be selling tableware and linens and stuff. Sort of like a Martha Stewart??

What’s unique about this?

[Anonymous]

Can’t she just have a wine brand or something?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Of all things, what we really need is another luxury lifestyle brand? This is silly. They talk about service and charity, and do this? She is very desperate for attention and status.

Can you explain the connection you're trying to make here?

[Anonymous]

Question if anyone knows - for lifestyle brands such as these, what is the general lag between announcing the brand and trademarks for the wares and product availability? Are we assuming things have been manufactured or are in manufacturing now?

I know there’s supposed to be a cooking show component, but is that to fill in the gap before the actual products are available?

I’m won’t sign up on a waiting list, whatever that means, but if there are actual products to browse, I might give it a look. I’m a sucker for tea sets; I think that was on the list of possible products.

[Anonymous]

I guarantee that actual professional branding people advised against “American Riviera Orchard” as a name.

[Anonymous]

The video was weird and blurry and the logo looks like a napkin?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Of all things, what we really need is another luxury lifestyle brand? This is silly. They talk about service and charity, and do this? She is very desperate for attention and status.

Can you explain the connection you're trying to make here?

I think the idea is that their brand was supposed to be charitable, like invictus, mental health, and this is a venture that is out of the blue and not connected to anything either of them are known for.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can’t she just have a wine brand or something?

That would be soo fun!! not this fake goop cottage core brand.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Of all things, what we really need is another luxury lifestyle brand? This is silly. They talk about service and charity, and do this? She is very desperate for attention and status.

Can you explain the connection you're trying to make here?

I think the idea is that their brand was supposed to be charitable, like invictus, mental health, and this is a venture that is out of the blue and not connected to anything either of them are known for.

Unlike you, she can walk and chew gum at the same time.

[Anonymous]

Does anyone remember that website Blake lively started a few years ago and it was a flop? Reminds me of that

[Anonymous]

Did I read somewhere that she's having a cooking show on Netflix? I'll watch it.

I like her. I like housewares/cooking shows/that type of stuff. Tig was good. I hope she's successful with this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it’s too bad that she shut down the Tig site— which was lovely, and had a following.

The link doesn’t work for me, so I’ll comment once I’ve seen the site and it’s had a chance to grow. “Empty as a brand” seems like an odd criticism for something not fully launched— so just generally, I’d see if there’s anything there that grabs my interest, and check in again once something is more fully fledged.

I meant "empty" because she hasn't really positioned herself as a housewares maven. It just seems like an industry the PR team chose and they slapped it together. When I think of Meghan, I don't think of jam, tableware and kitchen linens. I didn't know this was an interest of hers. Seems like a modern day QVC/Kathy Ireland type of set-up to sell stuff.

Ah, got it. I think Meghan’s lifestyle— for lack of a better word — is aspirational for many people. The things she wears often sell out. People who watched their films often talked about the way the Sussex’s house looked or was decorated. I’m not familiar with all of that, but I did like the Tig and tried a few of Meghan’s recipes. I guess this new site may be trying to capitalize on all of that? So perhaps not so much housewares as: Meghan’s stuff. I’ve no idea if something like that will be successful. I, personally, would be turned off by a QVC approach, but probably would appreciate a more woven approach somewhere between the Tig and Oprah’s favorites. I’m likely not the target market for most of this though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone remember that website Blake lively started a few years ago and it was a flop? Reminds me of that

The alcohol brand owned by someone who doesnt drink?