Meghan Markle has "let her celebrity status overshadow what she's really trying to achieve", a PR expert has claimed.
It was announced today that Meghan and Harry's £18million Spotify deal has come to an end as the Duchess' podcast will not be renewed for another series.
The massive deal was one of the first the couple signed after quitting the Royal Family. The couple released a one-off episode together before Meghan launched her own series, Archetypes.
The 12-episode series saw Meghan chat to different celebrity pals, including tennis icon Serena Williams, legendary singer Mariah Carey, and socialite Paris Hilton.
But a PR expert has weighed in on the news of Meghan's podcast not being renewed, with them urging to The Mirror : "It can’t just be about churning out content and relying on her celebrity."
PR expert, Hayley Smith from Be Yellow, has spoken about Meghan's podcast Archetypes and the "brand boom" it saw in the beginning.
She touched on how people and companies tapped into it because it was "popular, trending or in demand" at the time "in order to make money and market its success".
"Then overtime, interest and brand commitment dwindles, and usually, along with any foreseen profit."
"Spotify saw the initial potential in Meghan Markle and her podcast, and it was part of a multiyear exclusive deal. And at first it delivered with record high streams and seemingly great content. But the deal transpired into a low output of content with only one season and a holiday special," Hayley went on.
The PR expert then touched on how streaming platform Spotify is renowned for commissioning podcasts that can produce regular episodes and series that are released on a regular basis.
"It didn’t seem that Archetypes committed to their end of this deal, with reports that the couple didn’t meet the productivity requirements initially agreed with Spotify," Hayley said.
Touching on whether or not there is a future for Meghan's Archetypes podcast, Hayley urged that Meghan will "need to think deeper about the content she is outputting", adding that competition is "steep" and how "high numbers and streams are no longer enough".
"Podcasters need to connect with their audience, and develop engagement.
"There is a reason that the most popular podcasts are the ones that listeners feel that they are best friends with the podcasters, there is a real connection there.
"Something that Meghan will need to create if she wants Archetypes to have an ongoing success.
"It can’t just be about churning out content and relying on her celebrity. Listeners want more than to listen to podcasts. They want to learn, to be inspired and to be called to action," she added.
Touching on Meghan's "celebrity status", Hayley said: "Meghan is incredibly influential, and she does use it for good. But she has let her celebrity status overshadow what she’s really trying to achieve.
"There are so many fantastic female-led podcasts out there, talking about various topics and themes, and the one thing they all have in common is connection, in-depth conversations and honesty."
She then concluded by telling us that is Meghan really believes in her podcast brand, she "needs to focus on developing the podcast as a singular entity and away from the partnerships and multimillion brand deals, and form a connection and friendship with her audience".
"If she really wants to help women ‘level up’, step away from the Spotify and Netflix deals and bring on smaller female led businesses, and platforms as sponsors and collaborators," Hayley finished.
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