Qianyu Wu (SKEMA 2019), Producer and PR at LeablurParis Studio

Why did you choose to study at SKEMA and major in IMBD? What has this MSc brought you? When did you decide to dedicate your career to photography in Paris? 

Before continuing my studies abroad, I was working as a landscape architect, and my partner, who has 10 years of experience as a photographer, was also in that field. We both share a love for light and shadow aesthetics, which is why photography is the perfect career for us: it blends all our passions. I am someone who is driven by ideas and I enjoy making things happen. Paris, where art, culture and fashion converge, presented us with the opportunity to start our own business.

While working as a landscape architect, I felt limited in my ability to make decisions, as I wasn't involved in the business processes. Despite playing a crucial role in the design work, the designers were paid less than the sales team. This led me to seek a deeper understanding of business and I chose to study at SKEMA Business School in France, where I could find a good price-performance ratio and study Marketing, a field that was both easy to start with and interesting for me.

During our studies in France, we managed to secure some orders, and we had plans to grow our business after graduation. However, an unprecedented epidemic disrupted our plans, causing the cancellation of international flights and local events. Despite facing difficulties in finding a stable job, I ultimately decided to embrace the uncertainty of entrepreneurship. We pivoted our strategy, abandoning the C market and focusing on B2B, exploring both offline and online channels to grow our business.

The epidemic presented us with opportunities, as many overseas photographers had returned to their home countries and domestic film crews were unable to travel abroad. This resulted in increased demand from e-commerce platforms such as SHEIN and media organizations like CCTV. 

Over the last three years, we have built a professional photography team and produced several brand commercials, artist documentaries, and promotions for bloggers. Now that the epidemic situation has improved, I am confident that the future will only get better. Our goal is to help more Chinese brands go global and to promote national products abroad. And as for European brands wanting to take on the Chinese market, we provide them with relevant pre-consulting services and collaborations.

Could you tell us which course or professor impressed you the most during your studies at SKEMA?

The professor who taught the course on social media was my favorite. He was the first to teach the trendy course after starting his teaching role, and because of the ongoing pandemic, all the classes were conducted online.

His classes were infused with humor, and he was knowledgeable on the latest developments in the field of the Internet. He went beyond the traditional arguments and made the class engaging by discussing interesting real-life cases. The experience was very enjoyable, and he added a personal touch by playing beautiful music during breaks. The students would often ask for the song list and leave messages of appreciation.

He was more like a friend who loved to share and interact with his students, rather than just a teacher. Understanding how to establish authenticity in the virtual world, evoke empathy in users, fulfill their needs, and even foster love and loyalty are important skills for any entrepreneur. Our brand consulting services now include assisting clients in these areas.

LeablurParis studio has worked with several international brands, overseas influencers, and well-known artists. Could you briefly describe the studio’s positioning and business scope?

Our company offers comprehensive international marketing consulting services to brands. We specialize in creating personalized visual and image designs, executing overseas shoots, producing print and video advertisements and TV commercials, executing overseas PR, promoting artists, KOL collaborations, co-branding and other integrated services.

We strive not only to provide visually stunning and creative work, but also to incorporate a strong business strategy. As a professional team, our goal is to help brands expand globally and to deliver effective international business promotion solutions.

As the studio producer, could you share what you enjoy most about your work and an interesting recent experience?

As a commercial producer, the most intriguing aspect for me is the diversity of projects. I relish taking on various challenges and collaborating with clients to craft innovative solutions. Moreover, I relish the opportunity to travel to interesting places. 

For instance, in a project with Airbnb, we randomly picked a shooting location from their list which turned out to be a stunning, niche castle. We spent two days filming there and were mesmerized by the mist rising from the lake each morning, creating a fairy tale-like atmosphere. 

Do you have any suggestions for our SKEMA students regarding study, life or career development?

My suggestion is to utilize the various resources offered by your school's platform effectively. Don't limit yourself to academics only; step out of your comfort zone and actively build your networks. Exams are just a small aspect of your study abroad journey; they only account for 15%. To truly make the most of your experience, you must take the initiative and gather information through your own efforts.

SKEMA alumni working for international brands and interested in the Chinese market are welcome to follow our Instagram account and contact me. 

LeablurParis website: https://www.leablur.com/

Mail: leablurparis@gmail.com

Instagram: leablur or wuqianyu

Contact: Qianyu Wu, Producer and PR at LeablurParis Studio