This October, William Wang was honored with Lifetime Achievement at the 75th Annual Technology & Engineering Emmy Awards. As the founder of VIZIO, Wang has revolutionized the television industry, shattering the cost-related concerns about whether quality and pricing can go hand in hand. From a Taiwanese immigrant to a trailblazer, his journey is one of innovation and persistence.
Humble Beginnings and Pursuit of the American Dream
Born in Taipei, Taiwan, William Wang immigrated to the United States as a teenager with his family. Settling in Southern California, cultural barriers arose as a major problem for an immigrant teenager like Wang. However, his persistence shone through: he excelled academically, leading him to pursue engineering at the University of Southern California (USC).
After graduation, Wang was on his way to materializing his dream: starting a company in the tech industry. Yet, he failed multiple times, draining his resources and budget. However, each failure gave him the opportunities and lessons to grow his entrepreneurial endeavors.
The Turning Point: A Life-Altering Experience
But life comes with unheralded events. In 2000, the Singapore Airlines Flight 006 that he was on encountered a crash, and he was one of the few survivors of that fatal incident.
This disastrous event completely altered his outlook on life: he became more grateful for his relationships and the comfort they provide, such as families spending cozy time together watching TV. This newfound perspective catalyzed his entrepreneurial shift into his next venture, fostering an idea that would transform the consumer electronics market. He envisioned a future where the gap between top-tier technology and affordability disappearedāa vision that soon became VIZIO. In 2002, he launched VIZIO.
By 2007, just five years after its founding, VIZIO had become the top-selling LCD TV brand in the United Statesāa monumental achievement in an industry dominated by global giants like Sony and Samsung.
Wangās Humble Reflections on the Achievement
When receiving the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award at the Emmy Awards, he couldnāt help but feel emotional about his near-death-inspired vision. At that moment, his survivorās guilt had driven him to enrich lives, saying, āMy life has been dedicated to bringing great technology to consumers in America.ā As influential as he is, he expressed his gratitude for his team, stating, āThis recognition is also a testament to the incredible team at VIZIO ā it is our lifetime achievement. Together, weāve challenged the status quo and have created new possibilities for the future of television. Iām proud of what weāve accomplished and excited for the journey ahead as we continue to push the boundaries of technology and entertainment.ā
Featured Image Source: VIZIO
