More than persuasion

For K-State professor Anan Wan, advertising isn’t just about selling. It’s about understanding people in an increasingly digital world.

Social media is a mix of influencers, brands and algorithms, all competing for consumer attention. The platforms push content that aligns with each user’s interests, focusing on the most effective ways to get more engagement.

But how does this type of advertising affect the consumer it’s marketed to?

To answer that question, A.Q. Miller School of Media and Communication associate professor Anan Wan is investigating the psychological effects of live-streaming culture and AI advertising. She’s also studied the potential adoption of Danmu technology (comments moving horizontally across the screen, giving the impression of a bullet barrage) in the U.S.

Real-world roots

Before coming to K-State, Wan spent time working in nonprofit public relations in the U.S. and local television in China, experiences that tie directly into her teaching.

After she earned her master’s in journalism and her doctorate in mass communications, she became a vital presence in the lives of students and faculty at K-State.

She teaches a variety of advertising classes while serving as faculty advisor for the K-State Ad Club and the American Advertising Federation, enriching students with her background in the international industry.

Making headlines

Wan’s work is catching the attention of many top journals. She’s been published in the Journal of Marketing Communication, Journal of Current Issues & Research in Advertising, Social Media + Society and Journal of Advertising Education. She’s even been invited to present her research at the University of Cambridge.

For her research about AI influences on advertising strategies used in short-video social media, Wan received a grant and fellowship award from the American Academy of Advertising Research.

Wan has been selected for the Association of National Advertisers Educational Foundation’s Visiting Professor Program, held in New York City. And, as a marker of her educational efforts, Wan was awarded tenure at K-State in 2025.

“Receiving tenure is both a milestone and a beginning,” Wan said. “I’m deeply grateful for the support of my students, mentors, coauthors and colleagues throughout this journey. I hope my experience encourages students, especially international and first-generation scholars, to believe in their voice, embrace uncertainty and find strength in community.”

By Kate Ellwood

Curated from Faculty Spotlight: Anan Wan