In a twist of events that has left both fans and critics of Meghan Markle puzzled, the launch of her much-anticipated American Riviera Orchard (ARO) jam brand has reportedly been delayed until the spring of 2025. The delay, according to sources in the entertainment world, is due to a number of factors, including the timing of Meghan's new cooking and homemaking show for Netflix and 'irregularities' in the trademark applications submitted to the U.S. Patents and Trademarks Office. 

The ARO brand, which was expected to launch this fall, has been the subject of much hype and speculation in recent months. Meghan's celebrity friends had tried to stoke enthusiasm for the brand by boasting about their limited-edition pots of raspberry and strawberry jam, along with some pricey dog biscuits. However, it seems that Meghan won't be able to follow the sales and marketing principle of 'striking while the iron is hot' as the launch of the ARO brand has been pushed back. 

The delay is reportedly due to the timing of Meghan's new cooking and homemaking show for Netflix, which has yet to announce its release date. The show was filmed in Los Angeles and in Meghan's hometown of Montecito, but the streaming service is yet to begin editing it, meaning it might not be ready for months. According to a senior entertainment executive, 'there is literally no point in Meghan doing anything' until Netflix is ready to act. 

Further complicating matters is the U.S. Patents and Trademarks Office, which has notified Meghan's lawyers of various issues with her trademark applications. These issues include the incorrect classification of other proposed ARO products, such as yoga blankets, picnic baskets, and recipe books. Unfortunately, it could take up to 14 months for the trademark applications to be registered, which could delay the launch of the ARO brand. 

Despite these challenges, it seems that Meghan's endeavor is getting lots of assistance from Netflix, which has reportedly taken over 'all executive roles and delivering deals with wholesalers, designers, growers, and retailers.' Representatives for Netflix and for Meghan and Harry either declined to comment or didn't respond to inquiries for comment. 

As for Meghan's still untitled cooking show, the delay in its release has raised questions about the duchess's image-building efforts. Meghan recently attended a high-profile summit for women in business, but sources told NewsNation that some of the bigger names at the summit were reluctant to be seen with her. According to a branding expert, the delay in the launch of the ARO brand raises questions about its seriousness and follow-through. 

For Meghan, the delay in the launch of her brand and the slow output for Netflix and Spotify could be seen as a setback. However, a PR and marketing consultant has suggested that Meghan could gain an advantage by being patient and waiting to release her ARO products at the same time as her cooking show. This, according to the consultant, could enable Meghan to create a Martha Stewart-style 'lifestyle ecosystem' that includes a show, cookbooks, and products.

Meghan Markle's Jam Brand Launch Faces Delays: A Deep Dive into the 'Irregularities' and Behind-the-Scenes Drama

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