For Amy Martin, marketing isn’t just about selling products—it’s about storytelling across borders. With a background in Portuguese and Linguistics from UNC Chapel Hill and an MS in Global Business from Pepperdine University, Amy had already studied on three continents before arriving at ESSEC Asia-Pacific. But it was her first experience at ESSEC Cergy in 2022 that sparked a passion for marketing—and led her back to pursue the Master in Marketing Management and Digital (MMD) in Singapore.

“I really enjoyed my luxury classes and how hands-on everything was during my time in France,” Amy recalls. “That experience sparked my passion for marketing.”

Real Projects, Real Brands, Real Learning

After working professionally for a few years, Amy sought out programs that could further her knowledge in marketing while deepening her global exposure. The MMD program in Singapore fits perfectly. “The combination of Southeast Asia’s dynamic market and ESSEC’s European heritage was unique. It offered both global insight and local relevance.”

What sets the MMD program apart for Amy is its experiential learning model. From the Digital Marketing Challenge to the FENDI luxury branding project, students work directly with real companies, solving real marketing problems. “These aren’t just simulations. You’re collaborating with industry stakeholders and building a portfolio before you even graduate.”

With courses led by practitioners and global experts, the curriculum equips students to navigate both established and emerging markets—especially in dynamic regions like Southeast Asia. “Singapore offers the perfect balance: it’s globally connected but regionally relevant. I’ve gained insights here I wouldn’t find anywhere else.”

Luxury Meets the Next Generation

Amy is especially intrigued by how luxury marketing is adapting to new generations. “Gen Z and Gen Alpha care about sustainability and getting real value,” she notes. “I want to understand how brands will evolve to meet these expectations without losing their identity.”

She’s equally fascinated by the intersection of digital innovation and brand storytelling world. “Platforms like TikTok give brands a chance to build authentic communities. But audiences today can smell forced content a mile away. The challenge for brands is to be both aspirational and real. That’s where strategic marketing really matters.

Building a Global Career with Fresh Perspective

With a global education her background, Amy brings a distinctive lens to marketing. During a past internship, she rotated through departments like HR, finance, and customer service—an experience she now values deeply.

“At first, I wasn’t thrilled about rotating in non-marketing departments. But now I gained a broader viewpoint, and how marketing connects an entire business.”

She brings this mindset to every MMD course, leveraging her cross-cultural background and linguistic fluency to approach brand challenges with fresh perspective.

Outside the Classroom: Boxing and Belonging

Amy found unexpected community and balance by joining the ESSEC APAC Boxing Club.

“It’s sweaty, it’s tough—but it’s also how I’ve met people from other programs and built friendships outside the classroom.”

Final Advice: Just Try

Whether it’s reaching out to a professor, messaging a guest speaker on LinkedIn, or stepping into a completely new environment, Amy believes that growth comes from action. “I was the only American in my program. Everything I did here in Asia was out of my comfort zone. But that’s where growth happens. And every time you say yes to something new, you get one step closer to becoming the person you want to be.”

With a passion for cultural exchange, storytelling, and strategic thinking, Amy is well on her way to crafting a marketing career as global and original as her academic journey.