Archewell

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Archewell
Archewell Inc Logo.png
Named afterA compound of the Ancient Greek word 'Arche' and the English word 'well'
FormationOctober 2020; 11 months ago (2020-10)
FounderThe Duke and Duchess of Sussex
TypeNon-profit foundation
T30 Public organization
501(c)(3)
85-2213963[1]
FocusNon-profit activities
Creative media ventures
HeadquartersSuite 500
9665 Wilshire Boulevard,
Beverly Hills, California 90212[2]
Region
US
ServicesAdvertising and Business[3]
Official language
English
SubsidiariesArchewell Audio
Archewell Productions
Websitewww.archewell.com

Archewell Inc.[1] is a Beverly Hills-based public organization founded in 2020 by Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex. The group includes the couple's nonprofit charitable foundation, as well as a business division focusing on media production.[4][5]

History and structure[]

Sussex Royal[]

See also: MWX Foundation

On July 1, 2019, Harry and Meghan registered a private company limited by guarantee in England and Wales under the title 'Sussex Royal The Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Sussex', alternatively referred to as Sussex Royal Foundation.[6] However, after a meeting with senior members of the British royal family, it was confirmed on February 21, 2020, that the couple would not use 'Sussex Royal' as a brand name after they stepped down as working royals at the end of March 2020.[7] Even so, the namesake website remains visible online.[8] On August 5, 2020, Sussex Royal Foundation was renamed 'MWX Foundation' and dissolved the same day.[9]

Formation and trademarks[]

On March 3, 2020, an International Class 35[3] trademark application for the name 'Archewell' was submitted for registration with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)[10] by "Cobblestone Lane LLC, which is registered in Delaware but linked to the Beverly Hills offices of a Hollywood lawyer, who has worked for Meghan for years."[11] The description of services for Trademark Class 35 'Advertising and Business' is advertising, business management, business administration and office functions.[3] The Duke and Duchess reportedly "filed paperwork to create ‘their own charity and volunteering services, wide-ranging website, and sharing ‘education and training materials’ via films, podcasts and books’ and requested to trademark a number of things including motion picture films and branded objects."[10]

On May 26, USPTO assigned an examiner to review the application, and an ‘Irregularity notice’ was reportedly sent "addressing a catalogue of errors, including the vague nature of the proposed charitable work, according to documents". Such notice read: ‘The wording “providing a website featuring content relating to philanthropy, monetary giving, volunteer and career opportunities” in International Class 35 is also indefinite and over broad, and must be clarified to specify the nature of the content provided.’[10][12] The notice allowed until August for changes to be made.[10]

Archewell's website was "officially launched" in October 2020.[13] Although it was reported in April 2020 that Archewell would focus on issues including "conservation, female empowerment, and gender equality",[14] this has not been confirmed by the organization. At the end of December 2020, the website was updated to reflect the nature of their charitable and commercial endeavors.[15] In July 2021, the organization was told their trademark applications would require further revisions.[16] Among them was requested clarification that the group's audio branch would provide "entertainment-based services"; lawyers were also asked to "specify the nature" of "live stage performances" included in its list of prospective activities.[16] Their foundation was also asked to "define the kind of web apps they wish to provide" as listed in their purpoted functions.[16]

Etymology[]

In April 2020, Meghan and Harry confirmed that their US-headquartered non-royal foundation would be called 'Archewell'.[17] The name stems from the Ancient Greek word 'Arche',[18] which means 'source of action'[17] compounded with the English word 'well'.

Taxonomy[]

The National Taxonomy of Exempt Entities (NTEE) is a classification system for non-profit organizations developed by the NCSS[19] Archewell comes under 'NTEE T30 Public Organizations', which typically have grantmaking as a main focus.[20]

Publicity[]

In November 2020, former communications head at Pinterest and former Apple corporate communications manager, Christine Schirmer, was recruited for Archewell's publicity team. Others include Toya Holness, who led communications at the New York City Department of Education, and James Holt (Harry and Meghan's communications lead in the United Kingdom). It was reported that PR agency Sunshine Sachs will work with Schirmer, Holness and Holt as they oversee Archewell ventures.[18] Holt later replaced Catherine St Laurent as the foundation's executive director in March 2021, while St Laurent remained affiliated with the organization as a senior adviser.[21]

Charitable activities[]

Archewell Foundation[]

In December 2020, a partnership with José Andrés's World Central Kitchen was announced. Archewell agreed to fund four "Community Relief Centers" to act as "quickly activated service kitchens". The first was opened in Dominica in early 2021. The second is to be in Puerto Rico and the third in Mumbai, while the fourth location has not been advised.[22][23]

In the same month, Archewell disclosed collaborations with multiple organizations.[24] It was announced that Archewell had 'partnered' with neurosurgeon James Doty from Stanford University to support his center's research on "promoting altruism" in society. Other affiliations include the Loveland Foundation, which provides mental health resources to black women, and the Center for Humane Technology, which promotes ethical technology use.[25]

Following a winter storm in North America in mid-February, which caused damage to several facilities, the foundation made a donation to the Genesis Women's Shelter in Dallas to cover the costs for the roof of the shelter's transitional facility.[26] Archewell was one of the initial donors of the PressPad Charitable Foundation, which aims to "improve socio-economic diversity within the media".[27] In March 2021, Archewell named the PressPad Charitable Foundation, along with the civil rights and racial justice organization Color of Change, the UK-based mental health charity Mind, and multi-platform network URL Media, as the organizations to which they would offer support.[28] In May 2021, to mark the Mother's Day in the United States, the foundation together with Procter & Gamble made donations to Harvest Home, a charity that helps homeless expectant mothers, providing them with diapers for a year and cleaning supplies.[29] Later in the same month, the foundation announced a multi-year global partnership with Procter & Gamble to address issues related to "gender equality, more inclusive online spaces, and resilience and impact through sport".[30] In June 2021, tech and media executive Mandana Dayani joined the foundation as its first chief operating officer.[31] In July 2021, in collaboration with Procter & Gamble and its subsidiary company Pampers, the foundation donated boxes of diapers to Harvest Home.[32]

In August 2021, to mark her 40th birthday, Meghan launched 40x40, a campaign that asks people around the world to spend 40 minutes of their time mentoring women reentering the workforce and combating the outsized economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on women.[33] Among people who joined the initiative were Melissa McCarthy, Adele, Amanda Gorman, Ibram X. Kendi, and Gloria Steinem.[34] In the same month the organization partnered with Women for Afghan Women to help with the evacuation of thousands of Afghan women and children during the 2021 Taliban offensive, while also assisting World Central Kitchen with delivering meals to hospitals and shelters for those affected by the 2021 Haiti earthquake.[35]

Archewell Foundation Fund[]

As of January 2021, "Archewell Foundation is establishing the Archewell Foundation Fund" to support the goals of the UCLA Center for Critical Internet Inquiry (C212) in the technology sector.[25]

Media ventures[]

Archewell Audio[]

In December 2020, it was reported that the founders had signed a multi-year business deal with Spotify to launch a podcast through audio-producing company, Archewell Audio, a subsidiary of Archewell Inc.[36] Its first episode was released on December 29, 2020, with guests including Elton John, James Corden, Stacey Abrams, and Tyler Perry.[37] In July 2021, it was reported that podcaster Rebecca Sananes had been hired as head of Archewell Audio.[38]

Archewell Productions[]

In September 2020, Harry and Meghan signed a commercial deal with Netflix "to develop scripted and unscripted series, film, documentaries, and children's programming for the streaming service".[39] The program aims to "utilize the power of storytelling to embrace our shared humanity and duty to truth through a compassionate lens".[40] In March 2021, it was reported that Ben Browning, president of FilmNation Entertainment, had been hired to lead the project.[41] He was followed by Chanel Pysnik, a former Disney+ executive hired to oversee nonfiction series and documentary film productions, as well as Bennett Levine, who joined the team as coordinator.[42] Nishika Kumble, a former developer at Le Train Productions and 26 Keys Productions, was hired in August 2021 as senior vice president of scripted TV.[43]

In April 2021, it was announced that the company's first project with Netflix would be Heart of Invictus, a documentary series in partnership with The Invictus Games Foundation.[44] The project will surround the competitors from the 2020 Invictus Games, directed by Orlando von Einsiedel and produced by Joanna Natasegara.[44] Harry will executive produce the series and appear on camera.[44] Their second project, Pearl, was announced in July 2021.[45] The animated series will be about the adventures of a 12-year-old girl who is inspired by influential women from history. Meghan will executive producer the series alongside David Furnish, Carolyn Soper, Liz Garbus, Dan Cogan, and Amanda Rynda. Ryanda will also serve as the showrunner.[46]

Filmography[]

Year Title Category Network Ref
TBD Heart of Invictus Documentary series Netflix [44]
TBD Pearl Animated series Netflix [46]

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b "Archewell Inc". GuideStar. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  2. ^ "Archewell". Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b c "Trademark Class 35: Everything You Need to Know". upcounsel. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
  4. ^ "About Archewell". Archewell. Retrieved December 31, 2020. We do this through our non-profit work within Archewell Foundation 501(c)(3), in addition to creative activations through the business verticals of audio and production.
  5. ^ "Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Nod to Princess Diana in Archewell Website Update". Town & Country. Retrieved December 31, 2020.
  6. ^ "The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have named their royal foundation". Harper's Bazaar. July 19, 2019. Archived from the original on July 29, 2019. Retrieved July 29, 2019.
  7. ^ Young, Julius (February 21, 2020). "Prince Harry, Meghan Markle won't use 'Sussex Royal' after stepping back as senior members of royal family". Fox News. Archived from the original on April 7, 2020. Retrieved February 21, 2020.
  8. ^ "Official website". Sussex Royal. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  9. ^ Perry, Simon (July 3, 2020). "Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Take Another Formal Step Away from Their Ex-Royal Life". People. Retrieved October 23, 2020.
  10. ^ Jump up to: a b c d Troy-Pride, Jadie (June 18, 2020). "Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Archewell trademark has not been rejected". Marie Claire. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
  11. ^ Cartwright, Lexie (October 23, 2020). "Meghan Markle, Prince Harry launch website for charitable venture Archewell". news.com.au. Retrieved October 23, 2020.
  12. ^ Cartwright, Lexie (June 18, 2020). "Harry and Meghan's Archewell trademark application rejected". news.com.au. Retrieved October 24, 2020.
  13. ^ Cartwright, Lexie (October 23, 2020). "Meghan Markle, Prince Harry launch website for charitable venture Archewell". news.com.au. Retrieved October 23, 2020.
  14. ^ "Harry and Meghan Confirm Their New Foundation's Name—But Don't Expect Them to Promote It Yet". Vanity Fair. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  15. ^ "Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan Share a Letter for 2021 and Provide Updates on Their Archewell Non-Profit". Harper's Bazaar. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  16. ^ Jump up to: a b c "Why Harry and Meghan's Archewell trademark bid is proving far from plain sailing". Tatler. Retrieved July 9, 2021.
  17. ^ Jump up to: a b Foussianes, Chloe (April 6, 2020). "Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's New Non-Profit Archewell Has a Sweet Tie to Baby Archie". Town & Country. Archived from the original on April 10, 2020. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
  18. ^ Jump up to: a b Sanchez, Chelsey (March 4, 2021). "What Is Archewell, Duchess Meghan and Prince Harry's New Nonprofit Organization?". Harper's Bazaar. Retrieved March 19, 2021.
  19. ^ National Center for Charitable Statistics.
  20. ^ "IRS Activity Codes". National Center for Charitable Statistics. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  21. ^ Tidman, Zoe (March 22, 2021). "Head of Harry and Meghan's Archewell Foundation leaves role after one year". The Independent. Retrieved March 22, 2021.
  22. ^ "Meghan and Prince Harry Announce Partnership with World Central Kitchen". Bloomberg. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
  23. ^ Puhak, Janine (May 19, 2021). "Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Make Exciting Announcement on Their Third Anniversary". People. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
  24. ^ "Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Share Photos of Their Mothers and a 'Letter for 2021' on New Website". People. Retrieved December 31, 2020.
  25. ^ Jump up to: a b "Archewell Foundation". Archewell. Retrieved December 31, 2020.
  26. ^ Wiley, Elizabeth (February 22, 2021). "Prince Harry, Meghan Markle make donation to Genesis Women's Shelter in Dallas". Fox61. Retrieved February 22, 2021.
  27. ^ "Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Are Investing in the Next Generation of Young, Diverse Journalists". Harper's Bazaar. Retrieved March 12, 2021.
  28. ^ Blackall, Molly (March 13, 2021). "Duke and Duchess of Sussex to give to race and mental health charities". The Guardian. Retrieved March 13, 2021.
  29. ^ Petit, Stephanie (May 9, 2021). "Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Celebrate Mother's Day by Donating to L.A.-Based Charity". People. Retrieved May 9, 2021.
  30. ^ Petit, Stephanie (May 11, 2021). "Meghan Markle Comes Full Circle with the Feminist Campaign She Launched When She Was Just 11!". People. Retrieved May 11, 2021.
  31. ^ Hinchliffe, Emma (September 3, 2021). "Meghan and Harry's Archewell hires Mandana Dayani as first COO". Fortune. Retrieved September 4, 2021.
  32. ^ Goldsmith, Annie (July 16, 2021). "Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Donate Diapers to a Charity in L.A." Town & Country. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
  33. ^ Stump, Scott (August 4, 2021). "Meghan Markle teams up with Melissa McCarthy to celebrate 40th birthday in new video". Today. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
  34. ^ Wong, Wilson (August 4, 2021). "Meghan celebrates 40th birthday by launching mentorship for women re-entering workforce". NBC News. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
  35. ^ Legardye, Quinci (August 22, 2021). "Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Partner with Aid Organizations in Afghanistan and Haiti". Harper's Bazaar. Retrieved August 23, 2021.
  36. ^ "Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's media empire expands with Spotify podcast deal". CNN. December 15, 2020. Retrieved December 15, 2020.
  37. ^ "Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's Holiday Podcast Just Dropped — Hear Archie Talk for the First Time!". People. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
  38. ^ Spangler, Todd (July 2, 2021). "Prince Harry, Meghan Markle's Archewell Hires Podcast Producer Rebecca Sananes as Head of Audio". Variety. Retrieved July 2, 2021.
  39. ^ "Netflix Teams With Prince Harry And Meghan Markle For Overall Deal -". mxdwn Television. September 2, 2020. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
  40. ^ "Archewell Productions". Archewell. Retrieved December 31, 2020.
  41. ^ "Sources: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Tap Ben Browning to Lead Production Company". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 12, 2021.
  42. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (July 30, 2021). "Prince Harry & Meghan Markle's Archewell Productions Taps Chanel Pysnik As Head Of Unscripted". Deadline. Retrieved July 31, 2021.
  43. ^ Donohue, Meg (August 10, 2021). "Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Production Company Hires Fargo Producer for Upcoming Netflix Shows". Town & Country. Retrieved August 11, 2021.
  44. ^ Jump up to: a b c d "Prince Harry & Meghan Markle's Archewell Productions Scores First Netflix Order With Invictus Docuseries". Deadline. Retrieved April 6, 2021.
  45. ^ "Meghan, Prince Harry to develop new Netflix animated series". Associated Press. July 14, 2021. Retrieved July 14, 2021.
  46. ^ Jump up to: a b Goldberg, Lesley (July 14, 2021). "Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Set Animated Series at Netflix". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 14, 2021.

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