Meghan Markle’s Podcast Launch Strategy Questioned: Is the Duchess Missing Her target Audience?
Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, has recently launched her highly anticipated podcast, “Confessions of A Female Founder,” sparking both excitement and scrutiny. The podcast, which features candid conversations between Meghan and prominent female business leaders, debuted last week and has already climbed the charts. Though, some experts are questioning the Duchess’s strategy, specifically the timing of the podcast’s release.
The Duchess, 43, has released two episodes of “Confessions of A Female Founder.”
Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams raised concerns about the podcast’s release time, suggesting it doesn’t align with Meghan’s primary target audience. Fitzwilliams noted that releasing the podcast between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. in the UK, which translates to just after midnight in California, “doesn’t make sense.” He argues that a time better suited to a U.S. audience would be more strategic, considering Meghan’s lower popularity ratings in Britain. Speaking to Express.co.uk, Fitzwilliams said: “This strategy doesn’t make sense, and the listening figures are not impressive either.”
Fitzwilliams highlighted Meghan’s current standing in the UK, stating: “Meghan is excoriated in Britain and her popularity ratings have been dreadful for years. In the latest YouGov she onyl rates positive with 17% against 57 % negative.”
Podcast Content and Alex Reeds
So far, “Confessions of A Female Founder” features two episodes. The first delves into a conversation with Whitney Wolfe Herd, the founder of the dating app Bumble. The second episode features Reshma Saujani, founder of Girls Who Code and the Marshall Plan for Moms, two non-profits aimed at closing the gender gap. Saujani has been a vocal advocate for policies supporting working mothers, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Initial Chart Performance
Despite the questions surrounding the launch time,the podcast has made a splash on various charts. It has broken into the top 10 on Spotify’s podcast charts and has been ranked as number 70 in the Apple overall top podcast charts. Furthermore, within the business category on Apple podcasts, the series is currently ranked as the third moast popular.
The next episode is scheduled for release next Tuesday.
Analyzing the Release Strategy: A deeper Dive
Fitzwilliams’ critique raises a valid point: Is Meghan markle optimizing her reach by releasing the podcast during a time that favors the UK market over the US, where she currently resides and likely aims to cultivate a larger audience? To address this, it’s essential to consider several factors:
- Global Audience: While the US might be a primary target, Meghan Markle has a global following. Releasing the podcast to coincide with the UK morning commute could be a deliberate attempt to cater to this international audience.
- Algorithm and peak Engagement: Podcast algorithms often favor new releases.Launching at a specific time might be a calculated move to maximize initial visibility and engagement, regardless of the time zone.
- Marketing and Promotion: A successful podcast launch requires a extensive marketing strategy. If Meghan’s team is focusing promotional efforts on the UK market initially, the timing might be aligned with these campaigns.
The question remains: “Who, one might wonder, did she expect to be listening to her Confessions chat between 8-9am in Britain?” as Fitzwilliams pointed out. He suggests focusing on a US audience,saying “surely a time to suit a potential audience in the US would have been more sensible.”
Security Concerns and Public Perception
Fitzwilliams also touched on Prince Harry’s ongoing legal battle for automatic security for his family in the UK.He noted: “Harry’s current attempt to get automatic security for his family obviously means that she would benefit if he wins. however, one must ask if she would wish to come to Britain given the mutual hostility between the Sussexes and the press and her unfavourable ratings.” This underlines the complex relationship between the Sussexes and the British public, impacting Meghan’s potential reach and influence in the UK.
Expert Opinion
“This strategy doesn’t make sense, and the listening figures are not impressive either.”
Richard Fitzwilliams, Royal expert
Many questions have been raised so far with Meghan’s new podcast.
