In media and entertainment, crafting a sustainable and appealing brand requires strategy, foresight, and a keen understanding of your target audience. For Harry and Meghan, these principles seem to have been consistently overlooked, leading to a string of public and professional failures that raise questions about their viability outside royal life.
Insights from Samantha Cohen’s Experience
Samantha Cohen, a trusted aide who served the late Queen for 18 years, held positions such as Assistant Private Secretary and Communications Secretary. After working briefly with Harry and Meghan (H&M), she compared the experience to “working with teenagers.” This remark set the tone for public perception: H&M’s ventures often appear impulsive and poorly planned, as evidenced by their latest Netflix project, Polo.
The Ill-Conceived Concept of Polo
In today’s entertainment market, understanding consumer demand is paramount. Yet, H&M’s decision to produce a show about polo—a sport associated with elitism—demonstrates a glaring disconnect from modern anti-elitist sentiments. In 2024, where audiences prioritize relatability and inclusivity, a show focused on such a niche topic was destined to struggle.
The numbers don’t lie. Within just two days of its release, Polo garnered only 88,000 views on Netflix’s official YouTube channel, with a staggering 11,000 dislikes versus just 887 likes—a clear indication of its unpopularity. This 92.5% negative rating underscores the public’s rejection of H&M’s creative direction. It highlights the critical flaw in their approach: failing to align content with consumer preferences.
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A Pattern of Rejection
This is not an isolated incident. Time and again, Harry and Meghan’s productions have faced backlash, often receiving lukewarm to outright hostile reactions. The core issue lies in their failure to cultivate a strong personal brand. Instead of leveraging their royal ties positively or developing independent skills and narratives, they have relied on controversial tactics—most notably, their criticism of the Royal Family (RF).
But these actions have backfired spectacularly. By severing ties with the monarchy and engaging in public spats, they alienated their royal fan base and broader audiences. Their strategy hinged on assuming they could pressure the RF into welcoming them back under their terms. When that didn’t happen, they found themselves stranded, with a tarnished reputation and little else to offer.
The Importance of Reputation in Marketability
Building a marketable brand begins with reputation. Consider Catherine, the Princess of Wales. Her reputation, built on dignity, grace, and consistent positive engagement with the public, makes her name synonymous with reliability. Brands associated with her see immediate boosts in popularity and sales. She doesn’t even need to endorse products explicitly; her mere association is enough to drive results.
In stark contrast, Meghan’s reputation has been marred by controversy. While Harry once enjoyed public affection cultivated by the RF, his standing has suffered dramatically since his association with Meghan. The duo’s inability to grasp the value of a positive reputation has undermined their potential influence, which in turn hampers their marketability.
A Lesson from the Beckhams
The Beckham family is an excellent counterpoint to Harry and Meghan’s struggles. David and Victoria Beckham have skillfully maintained their public personas, leveraging their popularity to create highly successful business ventures. Their Netflix documentary not only earned an Emmy nomination but also achieved widespread acclaim and profitability. The Beckhams’ enduring appeal lies in their likability and the authenticity of their brand.
What Lies Ahead for Harry and Meghan?
The question remains: What can H&M offer without their royalties? So far, their ventures have lacked originality, foresight, and consumer appeal. From failed productions to a consistent inability to resonate with audiences, their approach seems devoid of the strategic thinking needed to thrive in competitive markets.
Their reliance on virtue signaling, rather than meaningful creativity or innovation, has become their hallmark. While this may attract fleeting attention, it is far from the sustainable model required for long-term success.
The Path to Redemption
For Harry and Meghan to salvage their brand, they must undertake a serious reassessment. This would involve:
Rebuilding Their Reputation: Authentic apologies and meaningful contributions to public causes could help repair some of the damage to their image.
Understanding Their Audience: Conducting thorough market research to align their projects with consumer interests is essential.
Delivering Quality Content: Rather than relying on royal controversy, they must produce content that offers genuine value and resonates with audiences.
Conclusion: A Cautionary Tale
Harry and Meghan’s journey serves as a cautionary tale about the perils of neglecting brand strategy and public perception. Their story highlights the importance of reputation, audience engagement, and authentic creativity in building a successful enterprise. Unless they take immediate steps to address these issues, their foray into entertainment will likely remain a series of missteps rather than milestones.
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