Mingtao Wu (IMC19)

Product Manager at Sony Interactive Entertainment

Tell us about your career path. How did you get where you are today?

My career path has been marked by a few pivots. I initially pursued an undergraduate degree in marketing and interned at social media agencies with the goal of becoming a marketing manager. However, as data analytics became critical in today's business, I decided to join the IMC program and focused my studies on the consumer analytics track, which later landed me my first job as a product analyst. At that job, I discovered my passion for product management while working with multiple product managers from the company’s clients. I quickly transitioned into an associate product manager role and gained valuable experience by leading projects under the guidance of seasoned professionals. These skills ultimately opened the door to my current role as a product manager at Sony Interactive Entertainment, where I have become part of the team that defines and shapes features that impact tens of millions of PlayStation gamers globally. 

That said, I believe having a career plan is crucial, but it's equally important to be brave and adapt to new opportunities as they arise. I'm also excited to explore other disciplines in my future career.

What are your main responsibilities in your current role?

As a product manager, my job is to build products that are profitable to business, valuable to users, and viable as technology. I approach problems strategically, and once directions are identified, I evangelize my vision and lead cross-functional teams, mainly designers and engineers, to execute building product features as solutions. Besides, I collaborate with various stakeholders such as marketing, research, data science, and legal to ensure successful product building and launching. Currently, I manage several product areas that enhance the core experience of PlayStation 5, such as the Control Center and Feature Discovery experience. Leadership and communication are crucial in this role, and having versatile knowledge enables me to make informed decisions with stakeholders. 

How did the Medill Integrated Marketing Communications Full Time program prepare you for your career?

IMC equipped me with the skills to empathize with users and act as their voice, which are critical aspects of product management. The techniques I learned, such as consumer research and analytics, enable me to capture user problems precisely and create features that meet their needs. IMC also fostered my abilities to stay curious, creative, and open-minded, which has been invaluable in leading and collaborating with others in my current role and future career. 

What did you do during Immersion Quarter?

I worked on a data analytics project with Optum, where I partnered with three other students to analyze several big datasets and understand how to improve customer satisfaction. We received guidance from the project lead at Optum and IMC Professor Jim Carey, who provided valuable insights and support throughout the project. 

What is a class or experience that sticks out in your mind and why?

It’s definitely Professor Edward Malthouse's Machine Learning courses. The course structure was well-designed that allowed us to build our knowledge progressively and apply what we learned through mock projects on real-world cases. Besides, Professor Malthouse is extremely approachable and he genuinely cares about his students. It’s a joy to learn from him.

How can your industry be more inclusive and representative of society? 

The digital entertainment industry plays a significant role in people's wellbeing, such as reducing mental health issues like depression and anxiety. While there are initiatives around accessibility, I believe more can be done to democratize gaming for everyone, particularly those with physical challenges.

What advice would you give to someone considering the Medill Integrated Marketing Communications Full Time program?

IMC is a well-rounded program that covers multiple disciplines, providing versatile career choices. It is not only a place to learn about marketing communications, but also leadership, research, critical thinking, data-driven decision-making, and many other transferable skills that can be applied in various industries and roles.