Meghan Markle blames As Ever rebrand on original ‘word salad’ name — not trademark issues

New York Post - Apr 22nd, 2025
Open on New York Post

Meghan Markle has unveiled a rebranding initiative, switching from American Riviera Orchard to As Ever. In a recent episode of her podcast, 'Confessions of a Female Founder', she explained that the original name felt like a 'word salad'. Markle had secured the As Ever name back in 2022, prior to her partnership with Netflix, and described the rebranding process as a chance to focus and develop quietly. She did not mention trademark issues that led to the rejection of her original brand name but hinted at learning from mistakes and being open to change.

The rebrand aligns with the launch of her Netflix show 'With Love, Meghan', which has been renewed for a second season. The former 'Suits' star initially believed the original name was fitting due to its connection to her Montecito neighborhood. However, she realized it was too limiting. This name change reflects her broader ambitions beyond the geographical connotations of Santa Barbara. Markle's recent endeavors, including her new podcast, mark her continued evolution in the public eye, blending her entertainment career with entrepreneurial ventures.

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

6.4
Moderately Fair
Read with skepticism

The article provides an interesting insight into Meghan Markle's rebranding efforts, with a clear narrative and engaging language that makes it accessible to a general audience. It effectively highlights her reasoning and the timeline of events but lacks comprehensive coverage of external perspectives and verification from diverse sources. The story's focus on a high-profile celebrity ensures public interest, though its impact is primarily limited to those invested in celebrity culture. While the article is timely and relevant, offering a glimpse into the challenges of personal branding, it could benefit from greater transparency and balance to enhance its accuracy and credibility. Overall, the article succeeds in capturing attention but falls short in providing a fully rounded analysis of the rebranding process.

RATING DETAILS

7
Accuracy

The story provides a detailed account of Meghan Markle's rebranding efforts, including specific reasons for the name change and the timeline of events. However, there are some discrepancies and areas needing further verification. For instance, while the story mentions that Markle did not discuss trademark issues during her explanation, it is known that her trademark applications for American Riviera Orchard were rejected. This omission could lead to misunderstandings about the motivations behind the rebranding. Additionally, the story claims Markle secured the name 'As Ever' in 2022, which aligns with available information, but the exact timing and influence of her partnership with Netflix remain unclear. Overall, the story is mostly accurate but lacks some precision in detailing the full context and implications of the rebranding.

6
Balance

The article primarily presents Meghan Markle's perspective on the rebranding, focusing on her explanations and experiences. While it offers insight into her reasoning, it lacks viewpoints from other stakeholders, such as business partners or industry experts, who might provide a broader context. This singular focus can lead to an imbalanced representation, as it does not explore potential criticisms or alternative interpretations of the rebranding process. Including diverse perspectives would enhance the article's balance by offering a more comprehensive view of the situation.

8
Clarity

The article is generally clear and well-structured, presenting Meghan Markle's rebranding narrative in a logical sequence. The language is straightforward and easy to understand, making the information accessible to a general audience. However, some sections could benefit from additional context or clarification, particularly regarding the implications of the rebranding and the role of external factors. Overall, the article effectively communicates the main points but could improve clarity by providing more detailed explanations.

5
Source quality

The article appears to rely heavily on Meghan Markle's statements, likely from her podcast and social media, as primary sources. While these sources are direct, they are self-reported and may lack external validation. The absence of independent verification or commentary from other credible sources, such as business analysts or trademark experts, limits the article's reliability. Incorporating a wider range of authoritative sources would strengthen the article's credibility and provide a more nuanced understanding of the rebranding.

6
Transparency

The article provides some context for Meghan Markle's rebranding decision but lacks transparency in certain areas. For example, while it mentions the rebranding's timing and motivations, it does not fully disclose the potential impact of trademark issues or the specifics of her partnership with Netflix. Additionally, the article does not clarify whether it attempted to verify Markle's claims independently. Greater transparency about the reporting process and the factors influencing the rebranding would enhance the article's trustworthiness.

Sources

  1. https://www.elledecor.com/life-culture/a64020650/meghan-markle-as-ever/
  2. https://www.instagram.com/meghan/reel/DGM6gmks6fm/
  3. https://www.elle.com/culture/celebrities/a63828624/meghan-markle-as-ever-brand-details/
  4. https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1304039-meghan-markle-finally-reacts-to-as-ever-name-controversy-in-podcast