The first question I have always been asked is, “Renée, why did you move to Europe to complete your Master’s degree?” or “Why ESCP?” My answer has never been simple or short.
As someone who is from the United States and grew up on the Jersey Shore, I saw the MSc in Marketing and Digital Media programme as an opportunity beyond just academics. A chance to grow in so many ways, challenge my previous knowledge in marketing, and how I saw the world. Crossing borders between Madrid, London, and San Francisco reshaped not only my skill set but also my mindset. It taught me so much about marketing on a global scale, challenged how I thought, and allowed me to collaborate with peers from all over the world.
Madrid: First Steps into a World-Class Global Education
My journey with ESCP began at Madrid’s Maria de Molina campus, where energy and excitement radiated from the building and throughout the city. Even from the first day, I realised marketing here was not only about driving the best returns, meeting KPI goals, or crafting the best campaigns, but about people and global contexts.
Courses such as Customer Experience and Brand Building motivated me to put the customer and their motivations at the centre of everything and not just consider the data. The most impactful part of the beginning of my studies in Madrid was not solely academic, but the collaboration that took place in every course.
Working within a highly international cohort of students from various backgrounds and massively diverse life and professional experiences pushed me to learn how to navigate diverse perspectives, work styles, and expectations. Every group project wasn’t just an academic challenge, but one that taught me that great marketing comes from collaboration, adaptability, and empathy. Madrid was not just the first stop in my educational journey with ESCP, but was a critical moment where I began to learn how to think and work in global contexts and environments.
San Francisco: At the Epicenter of Innovation
Despite being back in the US., San Francisco felt like stepping into an entirely new world. From being immersed in learning and growth in Spain to landing in the heart of Silicon Valley, it provided a shift from learning about marketing in a global context to being about the future of marketing. From keynotes with professionals to visiting the Salesforce headquarters, I saw how AI and technology are reshaping how marketing and project management are approached.
While my courses in Madrid taught me about thinking globally and understanding cultural and emotional contexts, San Francisco completely flipped this script. My experience in San Francisco showed me that AI and automation are not up-and-coming, but are already here impacting marketing as a whole.
It also challenged me to wonder how to balance AI and automation with keeping the customer and humanity at the forefront while marketing and advertising in various industries. It drove me to think more about how data and creativity can work together. San Francisco truly taught me that innovation is not just a buzzword, but a mind-set that I now carry with me.
London: Luxury as a Strategy, Not Just Aesthetics
After saying my goodbyes and moving to London for the Fashion, Luxury, and Innovation Specialisation Track, I began to understand how heritage and storytelling push forward luxury strategy and business value. My experience in London helped me take the global and innovative mind-sets from the previous locations where I studied and bring them into the context of fashion and luxury with a strong emphasis on strategic thinking.
Through projects like creating an innovation for current companies on the market or analysing trends and how they affect businesses, I found London to be the place where I could synthesise all of my previous learning. I learnt that luxury has more behind it than just price or prestige, but marketing with meaning and intention surrounding brand culture and heritage.
A New Chapter, Not a Finale
My journey at ESCP, although classes have ended, has not concluded as it has opened a whole new chapter for me personally and professionally. What began as a decision to study abroad to experience new cultures and study in a global context quickly became a complete transformation in so many ways.
Every city comes with its challenges, lessons, and successes.
Madrid offered so much in terms of understanding and learning about different cultures in professional contexts. London and San Francisco taught me to think strategically and have an innovative mind-set. These are experiences that I cannot imagine myself without now as I move on in my career.
ESCP allowed me to grow, learn from the best, and gave me more than just a degree, but a changed mind-set. As I continue in my career, I will always cherish my time at ESCP and carry the tools I was given throughout my time here. These tools revolve around marketing and what I learned in academic contexts, but also include the unforgettable experiences, amazing people, and new perspectives I gained in this incredible journey.
MSc in Marketing and Digital Media at ESCP Business School
Renée Grunwald is a marketing professional with a passion for connecting creativity, strategy, and impact. She earned her B.S.B. in Marketing Innovations and Analytics from Stevens Institute of Technology and gained experience through a marketing analytics internship with Futura Healthcare. Renée then pursued an MSc in Marketing and Digital Media at ESCP Business School. While at ESCP Renée served as a student ambassador, and program delegate. Alongside her studies, Renée explored her interests in healthcare communications and how diversity, equity, and inclusion intersect with business. Today, Renée has a role as a trainer at Epic Systems, a leading healthcare software company.