Event date: 8th May 2025
Escapism.
Escapism is a fundamental human behavior that has shaped our world for centuries, from ancient Greek theater to the immersive virtual realities of today. It is not just a coping mechanism but a source of creativity, innovation, and imagination.
In today’s fast-paced world, escapism offers a crucial emotional release, with 91% of people globally affirming the need to escape occasionally. This universal desire has given rise to the “Escape Economy”, valued at $9.7 trillion and expected to grow to $13.9 trillion by 2028. From travel and tourism to entertainment and leisure, escape-related industries underpin much of the global economy.
Here at McCann, we have a Truth Central Division. The Truth Central Division released a report “Truth about Escapism” and it is a proprietary piece of global research that explores the concept of escapism as a universal human desire and its implications across various sectors. It is based on extensive research, including a global survey, expert interviews, literature reviews, ethnographies, and social media analysis. The study spans multiple countries and disciplines, providing a comprehensive view of how escapism manifests in modern society.
On 8th May we held an event at the fantastic Engine Shed venue right in the middle of Bristol Temple Mead station. The event kicked off at 3pm for some delectible afternoon tea courtesy of a local caterer followed by the talk which ended with a brilliant panel discussion. Our hosts were author of the report Jess Francis, McCann Worldwide, Research Director, Truth Central and Sarah Warewinter, McCann Bristol, Managing Partner, Strategy. On our panel was Paul Acheson of Brittany Ferries, Ben Hibbard of Turtle Bay Restaurants and Andy Boreham of Bristol Beacon. We ended the event with a mingle where we served a lovely selection of Lyme Bay wines.
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