Will the Duchess of Sussex revive her popular lifestyle blog?
As she parted ways with Spotify — which isn’t renewing its multi-million dollar deal for its Archetypes podcasts — and questions grow about the Sussexes’ future with Netflix, rumors continue to grow that The Tig will be making a comeback.
The blog was a success last time and could even boost what some say is Meghan’s popularity here and in America.
Her new talent agency, William Morris Endeavor, will certainly be happy to take advantage of the commercial opportunities that exist.
The Duchess of Sussex has been dropping hints that she wants to revive her lifestyle blog, The Tig, and recently filed applications with US trademark authorities
Meghan has said she named it The Tig after first tasting Tignanello wine – now her favorite
“Thanks for everything”: Meghan posted a farewell message to her website readers, complete with kisses and a graceful signature. It is still there today
Meghan launched the website, which she called her “passion project,” in 2014 when she was at the height of her fame as an actress in the American legal drama Suits.
For three successful years, she artfully mixed glamorous photos with discussions about everything from personal resolutions to food, fashion, travel and politics.
But she pulled the plug on The Tig in 2017, just before her engagement to Prince Harry, signing off with a sad “Thank you for everything,” two kisses and her signature still visible online.
At the time, it was considered that personal political views and commercial endorsements would be incompatible with a royal role.
Today, however, the Sussexes’ growing distance from ‘The Firm’ means that disapproval from the Palace is much less of an obstacle.
Meghan recently dropped a hint on the six-part Netflix docuseries Harry & Meghan when she brought up the blog’s “success,” saying, “I’ve never really been the type of person to do just one thing, I think my website how it works. was born.’
“There was fashion, lots of food and travel – all the things I loved. The Tig wasn’t just a hobby, it became a very successful business.’
Meghan said she named the site after her first taste of her favorite wine, “super Tuscan” Tignanello. Reflecting on her first sip of the Italian red wine, which has been voted one of the top ten wines in the world several times, she wrote, “It was an ah-ha moment at best. For me it became a “Tig” moment – a moment to get it.
“From then on, every new awareness, every new discovery or “ohhhhh, I got it!” moment was a ‘Tig’ moment.”
A range of celebrities appeared on the blog, including Jessica Alba, Serena Williams, and Heidi Klum, along with recipes for health-conscious California dishes like beetroot cheesecake and spicy broccoli and hemp seed stew.
The Duchess was eager to trademark the Tig name even while the blog itself was offline.
If Meghan relaunches The Tig — or launches a new website — it could be worth a fortune through commercial partnerships, Hollywood marketing experts say
The Duchess first launched her lifestyle blog in 2014. For three years, it mixed personal thoughts with topics such as food, travel, fashion and even politics.
The Duchess of Sussex brought up the success of the Tig in her Netflix docuseries Harry & Meghan, sparking speculation she’s now looking to relaunch it
Her application to the US Patent and Trademark Office was initially rejected because the website’s description was too broad.
That has since been corrected, with the help of attorney Danielle Weiss who outlined five “classes” in which Meghan seeks trademark protection for The Tig: travel, interior design, food preparation, “health and wellness,” and personal relationships (including fashion and personal lifestyle).
A fee of $1,750 (£1,500) was paid for the application — an amount that would dwarf if Meghan chose to partner with sponsors such as fashion, food and beauty brands, according to a Hollywood marketing expert.
In 2015, The Tig partnered with Birchbox, a beauty box subscription service, in a deal that could model a hugely profitable company.
By comparison, Goop, Gwyneth Paltrow’s lifestyle website, now has 80 employees, earns about $18 million (£14.5 million) a year and is valued at $250 million.
Meghan closed The Tig in 2017, a few months before her engagement to Prince Harry
It’s clear from her Meghan language when she closed the website that it was a project that was close to her heart. She wrote, ‘After almost three wonderful years on this adventure with you, it’s time to say goodbye to The Tig.
‘What started as a passion project (my little engine that could) evolved into a great community of inspiration, support, fun and frivolity.
“You brightened my days and filled this experience with so much joy. Keep finding those Tig moments of discovery, keep smiling and taking risks, and keep being “the change you want to see in the world.”
“Don’t ever forget what you are worth – as I have told you time and time again: you, my dear friend, you are enough. Thanks for everything.’
Now it turns out that her farewell lament was less of a goodbye and more of an “au revoir” – until we meet again.