Meghan in line for a royal purple patch as influencer
MEGHAN Markle’s new imagemakers believe she can amass a huge fortune – as one of the world’s most in-demand “influencers”, according to a close source.
Marketing experts in the US were stunned last week when the Duchess of Sussex sent sales of a $4 (£3.15) anti-stress patch through the roof after being snapped wearing one on her wrist.
Now her handlers at WME, the powerhouse Hollywood talent agency that signed her four months ago, are convinced she can exploit her “Midas touch” with a “carefully curated” string of product endorsements.
A senior production source with ties to WME said last night: “Nobody wants to turn her into a walking billboard or fashion clothes horse promoting different brands every time she sets foot in public.
“But she is clearly now a celebrity who has a big enough fan base to make a massive impact on the sales of any outfit or accessory she wears.”
If, as expected, Meghan also relaunches The Tig – the successful lifestyle blog she abandoned in 2017 before marrying Prince Harry – “she can quickly become one of the world’s highest-earning influencers,” the source added.
“Her advisers believe her income as an influencer could easily dwarf her and Harry’s Hollywood earnings.”
This is borne out by an Ad Ageharris Poll survey two years ago that identified “apparel, luxury goods and streaming services” as the areas offering the couple their greatest business opportunities.
Almost a third said they would be “more likely” to buy a product or service if it was endorsed by Meghan, with 28 per cent saying the same about Harry.
And of those, 57 per cent listed clothing as the category they would be swayed into buying, followed by
streaming services at 54 per cent and luxury goods at 53 per cent. Harris Poll CEO Will Johnson said: “There is an opportunity for brands that align with the couple’s brand of authenticity and wellness to create collaborations that appeal to these values.”
Meghan, 42, is also thought to have sought advice from Gwyneth Paltrow, her friend and Montecito near-neighbour, whose once-derided Goop website is now worth more than $250million.
Actress Gwyneth, 50, and husband Brad Falchuk, 52, were reportedly dinner guests of Harry and Meghan in April at a sushi restaurant.
And our source confirmed: “Meghan and, to a lesser extent Harry, are learning how, like Gwyneth, they can monetise their appeal as influencers.
“Meghan’s new agents are firmly of the belief she’s only scratching the surface of her earning potential.”
‘Learning how to monetise appeal’