Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have been advised to take a temporary break from launching new business ventures following their theatrical debut as executive producers of the documentary Cookie Queens.
Royal commentator Kinsey Schofield argued that although the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have considerable name recognition, they have yet to turn their fame into reliable support from loyal consumers.
Speaking to Page Six, the host of Kinsey Schofield Unfiltered suggested the couple should make fewer announcements and concentrate on delivering one strong project.
“I would tell them to disappear professionally for a little while, dramatically reduce the number of announcements, and identify one genuinely compelling project with experienced people around them who know how to execute it,” Schofield said.
She added that repairing their professional reputation would require more than another image makeover or high-profile promotional campaign.
“Reputation recovery is possible, but I don’t think it comes from another rebrand or another glossy publicity campaign,” she said.
“I would recommend the opposite: less talking, fewer announcements and more execution.”
According to Schofield, producing a successful project could do more to change public opinion than any publicity strategy.
“Success is one of the most effective reputation-management strategies in Hollywood,” she explained. “Make something undeniable and suddenly the conversation changes.”
The commentator also advised Meghan and Harry to narrow their focus instead of attempting to build authority across several industries at the same time.
“When you try to establish authority in every category simultaneously, you can end up establishing authority in none of them,” she said. “Pick a lane, become good at it and allow success to rebuild credibility.”
Schofield further warned the couple against relying too heavily on their public profiles to drive their commercial projects.
She argued that Meghan and Harry need to “stop treating their celebrity as the product and start creating products strong enough to survive without their celebrity.”
Her remarks followed reports that Cookie Queens earned approximately $354,000 across 446 cinemas. The documentary marked the Sussexes’ first theatrical release as executive producers.
