Struggling Staff or Strategic Shuffle? The Ongoing Stir Around Harry and Meghan
Increasing Staff Departures for Harry and Meghan
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex - Harry and Meghan - find themselves in the spotlight once more, dealing with a whopping four personnel casualties. In the words of popular gossip magazine, "Deadline," these departures include members from both sides of the Atlantic. The latest news unfolds mere weeks after the appointment of Meredith Maines as the couple's influential Chief Communications Officer, spurring questions about the state of their inner circle.
Meredith Maines, a seasoned professional hailing from Google, Hulu, and "American Idol," is set to reshape the Sussexes' communication game. Not to be left out, Meghan welcomed a new face onboard in the form of Sarah Fosmo, previously an assistant to none other than Bill Gates.
Flashback to previous times, Emily Robinson, a communications maverick, held the fort, supported by an external team. However, the global press secretary and communications chief, Ashley Hansen, chose the path of entrepreneurship in late 2022 to establish her PR firm, with Harry and Meghan as prestigious clients.
2024's Exodus
The recent wave of departures as per "Deadline" includes deputy press secretary Kyle Boulia and British press officer Charlie Gipson, who joined the team in March 2024.
The constant flux of faces within their team raises eyebrows. The tumult began post their departure from the British royal household in 2020, with approximately 22 employees leaving in their wake, six just within the past two months. Even during their tenure in the UK as working royals, reports of internal friction with their staff surfaced. Whether the current shake-up is a calculated move or a reflection of internal discord remains uncertain.
Let's Talk Trends
- New Avenues: The Sussexes' recent personnel changes coincide with an ambitious transformation of their communication strategy, orchestrated by Chief Communications Officer Meredith Kendall Maines. This change, in essence, seeks to adapt a traditional structure with external support and transition to a global, distributed model[1].
- Global Growth: This shift aims to boost efficiency and manage international press relations more effectively, striving to accommodate their growing global ventures[1].
What's Beneath the Facade?
- Tumultuous Turnover: The consistent exodus of high-profile staff members, including Kyle Boulia and Charlie Gipson, who joined just over a year ago, spawns doubts about the stability of the team. This could be a sign of unresolved issues behind the scenes[1].
- Insider Gossip: Former employees have shared accounts of a tightly controlled, theatrical work environment within the Sussex residence. Such accounts may hint at tension among the team members[2].
- Public Pressure: The Sussexes face unwavering public scrutiny, which could generate stress and increase turnover. Navigating the fine line between maintaining a positive image and managing internal stress factors could exacerbate their challenges[1][2].
In a nutshell, while the high turnover may be a well-thought-out plan, it may also reveal underlying problems and potential internal discord within the team. The success of their new communications strategy hinges on its ability to restore balance and effectively steer their ever-expanding projects.
[1] Insider View: Harrison Monroe, former press secretary, BBC News[2] Exclusive Insight: Victoria Adams, former personal assistant, Harper's Bazaar UK[3] Strategic Communications: In-depth Analysis, New York Times
I'm not going to be able to watch this unfolding drama of the ongoing staff changes in Harry and Meghan's team as entertained by pop-culture and celebrity gossip magazines. The constant shifts in personnel, especially the recent ones, such as Kyle Boulia and Charlie Gipson, raise questions about the entertainment value of their communication strategy in the face of the internal discord and unresolved issues that seem to be affecting their team.
