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People Profile: Hanna Willis, Head of Consumer Products at Minecraft image

People Profile: Hanna Willis, Head of Consumer Products at Minecraft

The global licensing community is powered by an incredible group of professionals whose diverse backgrounds and creative energy drive innovation and excellence. Each week we profile one of these professionals in this ongoing series.

How did you get into licensing (or how did licensing find you)?
I graduated from USC during the recession and started working at Nordstrom, first in sales and then as a personal stylist. As my one-year anniversary approached, I came across an internship in fashion and home at Disney Consumer Products, which started my career in licensing. I spent eight years at Disney, working in various categories and learning from some incredible leaders. After leaving Disney, I joined Minecraft, where I’ve had the privilege of continuing to grow under strong, amazing leadership and further advance my career in the industry.

What’s a “typical” day in your current position?
What I love about this job is there isn’t a typical day. There are days I work with teams across the studio on processes, franchise plans, and strategic planning, and there are days where I get to dive into fun collaborations and toys or look at new categories and regions to expand into!

What’s your biggest personal or professional accomplishment?
My biggest personal accomplishment is becoming a mom! I have six-year-old twins and a two-year-old who have taught me so much in such a short amount of time

What are the most significant trends or changes that you’ve seen in the business in recent years?
Gaming has significantly transformed both the entertainment and licensing industries. Traditionally, theatrical films and linear content dominated retail spaces, but gaming has disrupted this dynamic—especially during the pandemic. With more people gaming than ever before, the shift in consumer behavior became even more evident. Brands have recognized the power of games as a highly impactful marketing platform, leveraging them to reach engaged audiences in innovative ways. This shift has not only changed how brands approach consumer engagement but also redefined how content is distributed and monetized across industries. 

What keeps you up at night? What’s your biggest challenge these days?
I think every licensor can agree that it’s a challenge to continue to evolve as a brand, stay relevant, and broaden your reach.

In your opinion, what is the top skill every licensing executive should have in order to succeed?
Being flexible and adaptable. There is so much change in this industry and having the ability to be nimble and flexible is vital.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received, or what’s your favorite quote?
The best piece of advice I’ve ever received is to always lead with care and kindness. Throughout my life, I’ve embraced this philosophy because I truly believe that leading with kindness helps build trust, fosters collaboration, and creates an environment where people feel valued and respected. As a leader, that’s the kind of impact I aim to have—one where others feel supported and empowered to thrive.

What is your favorite licensing deal of all time? (It doesn’t have to be one that was signed by you.)
This is a tough question because there are so many great partnerships to choose from! One that stands out for me is the Minecraft x Burberry collaboration, which I had the privilege of leading. What made this partnership particularly memorable was how it allowed us to explore new opportunities and take risks as a brand. It was a chance to try things we hadn’t done before, and it resulted in many “firsts” for both brands. Being part of those groundbreaking conversations and pushing the boundaries together was incredibly exciting.

If you weren’t in licensing, what would you be doing now?
I would probably be doing something in fashion. Growing up, my mom was a fashion designer and that is where my love for fashion stems from. I got to see first-hand at a young age how to make apparel, sell to retailers, and manage photo shoots!

The last licensed product I bought was…
Messi clothes for my six-year-old son who has become a huge soccer fan and player this year!

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