Tony Xu
BS in Communication Studies, Emerson College
Experience: A member of the Gold Key Honor Society at Emerson College
Areas of Interest: Music, Visual arts, Video/digital media, Entrepreneurship, PR/Marketing, Creative ideas
Ideal Job in 10 Years: Work at a PR firm as a Strategist or working for my own business (RQ Creative).
What led you to enroll in the MSLCE program at Northwestern? To expand my network. To learn how the creative industry works. To get the essence of entrepreneurship.
Favorite (song/movie/show/festival/exhibition … )? Big fan of Hebe Tien, a pop singer from Taiwan! She is my love!
What are you most looking forwards to about the MSLCE program? Networking events and site visits
What is your favorite Chicago landmark/attraction, or what are you most excited to visit? I would love to visit the NBC Studios and have an exclusive tour with the staff. I passed by the last time I visited Chicago.
If you could have lunch with one person (living or dead), who would it be? Richard Edelman, the current CEO of the famous public relation firm, Edelman. It is really hard to keep a company in a leading position in its industry. Especially because there are lots of Edelman branches in different countries and the competition is getting really fierce. I want to know the secret of running worldwide companies like Edelman and I also want to pass my resume to him if I have the chance.
If you had to describe yourself in three words, they would be… Passionate, Considerate, Creative.
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be? The Aegean Sea; a beautiful view and relaxing life.
If someone made a movie about your life, what would it be called and who would play you? “A man in a jar”, I think Tom Hanks can play me.
What thought or message would you put in a fortune cookie? Detectives looks at the same things as you do, it is thought that makes those different.
How do you plan on spending/did you spend your summer before starting MSLCE? Visited my family in China and took a trip to Thailand with my friend
Where is your dream internship for next summer? Strategy planning at a famous PR firm.
What award would you most like to win? Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity
If you could donate one million dollars, which cause/organization would you choose to support? I would donate to the Entrepreneurs’ Organization. It is very hard for startup companies to find investment. If I become successful in the future, it will likely be from the help of those investors. So as a way of giving back, I would support more creative sector startup founders.
What will be your last job? I want to be an owner of a gym and workout everyday. I can keep in good shape and healthy condition and eat whatever I want from then on. I want workout to be lifestyle and part of people’s lives in the future.
Where are you from? Shanghai, China