Student Voices | MSMI Alumnus Jason Wang at CES 2025: Driving Innovation with McCann Worldgroup
Alumni , Graduate | Feb 12, 2025 | Gabelli School of Business
Fordham University’s M.S. in Marketing Intelligence (MSMI) program continues to shape the next generation of marketing leaders, and Jason Wang (GABELLI’21, ’22), an MSMI alumnus, exemplifies that success. Now a global strategist at McCann Worldgroup’s Truth Central, Wang was actively involved in the team behind McCann’s latest global study, The Truth About Escapism, which was showcased at CES 2025, one of the world’s most influential technology events.
Fordham MSMI students contributed to the research in its early stages by analyzing key aspects of escapism, particularly within entertainment and travel. Seeing the research come full circle, first in the classroom and then on a global stage like CES, highlights how Fordham’s Marketing Intelligence program prepares students for real-world impact.
“The Truth About Escapism”
“The Truth About Escapism” study explores the rising global trend of individuals seeking moments of escape in various forms, whether through travel, entertainment, or technology. As part of McCann Worldgroup’s global intelligence and cultural research team, Wang and his colleagues conducted extensive research, combining quantitative surveys from 16 countries with qualitative insights from focus groups, expert interviews, and ethnographic studies.
“We built a global survey, tested it, and fielded it across multiple markets to ensure national representation,” Wang explained. “Beyond the data, we wanted to explore deeper human behaviors, so we conducted focus groups and spoke with industry experts, ranging from documentary filmmakers to video game developers, who provided unique perspectives on escapism.”
The Role of MSMI Students in the Study
MSMI students at Fordham also contributed to the early stages of “The Truth About Escapism.” Their research provided fresh perspectives, helping McCann Worldgroup identify emerging themes in entertainment, travel, gaming, and consumer behavior.
Wang highlighted the high quality of the students’ work, emphasizing that their analysis and insights were both compelling and thought-provoking. McCann Worldgroup’s research team was particularly impressed with their ability to interpret data and craft narratives, reinforcing the value of academic-industry collaborations. This partnership is part of an ongoing relationship between McCann Worldgroup and Fordham, where MSMI students gain real-world experience working on applied projects with industry leaders. “We’ve worked with Fordham MSMI students for years, and every time, their insights, storytelling, and interpretations of data have amazed us,” Wang said.
For those interested in learning more about “The Truth About Escapism,” the executive summary is available here.
McCann Worldgroup at CES 2025: A Space for Escapism 
CES 2025 was Wang’s first experience at the renowned tech convention, and as he described, it was “overwhelming but incredible.” With thousands of industry professionals, cutting-edge innovations, and an intense atmosphere, CES provided the perfect backdrop for launching “The Truth About Escapism.”
At CES, McCann Worldgroup set up the “Escape Lounge”, a uniquely designed hotel suite experience that embodied the escapism theme. The lounge provided a retreat from the high-energy environment of CES, mirroring the growing cultural need for escapism. Wang explained the rationale behind this setup. “We see the behavior of escaping reality on the rise. And what better place to discuss escapism than CES, where business professionals are constantly moving from one stall to another, engaged in meetings and overwhelmed with information?”
Beyond the lounge, McCann Worldgroup also conducted guided tech tours at CES, helping clients navigate trends in AI, immersive technology, and consumer experiences.
Emerging Tech Trends and Marketing Implications
Reflecting on CES 2025, Wang emphasized that AI was the dominant theme across industries, from home automation to sustainability, language translation, and supply chain management. One standout moment for him was LG’s concept of “Affectionate Intelligence,” a vision for AI that is not just smart but empathetic and personalized to consumers’ emotions and daily lives.
These advancements signal a shift toward hyper-personalized, seamlessly integrated technology experiences for marketers. Wang emphasized the need for future marketers to stay ahead of these shifts, stating, “Marketers today need to be translators. We must connect the dots between technology, creative storytelling, and consumer behavior.”
For MSMI students looking to make an impact, Wang stressed the importance of developing expertise in data analytics, strategic storytelling, and the ability to translate insights into actionable marketing strategies. The Gabelli School’s curriculum, with its emphasis on applied learning and industry collaborations, equips students with these essential skills, positions them for success in an evolving marketing landscape.
Written by: Triveni Rai, MSMI ’25
