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People Profile: Anna Franek, Partnerships Manager at Storyland Locations

People Profile: Anna Franek, Partnerships Manager at Storyland Locations image

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)?
Licensing found me through my work at Storyland Studios, where I supported the development of immersive experiences featuring major household IPs. I was instantly drawn to the balance of creativity, commercial thinking, and collaboration it requires.

What’s a “typical” day in your current position?
No two days are the same. I support our CEO, nurture new partnerships, and work closely with our creative teams to ensure our partner IPs are being brought to life in ways that align with early strategic conversations. Most of my time is spent connecting dots and making things happen.

What’s your biggest personal or professional accomplishment?
Supporting a large-scale Brand Activation at the Esports World Cup in Riyadh. It was fast paced (in extreme July heat!) with lots of moving parts, but we surpassed attendance expectations and created something genuinely memorable for visitors.

What are the most significant trends or changes that you’ve seen in the business in recent years?
The way different generations consume content has completely changed the game. With location-based experiences, it’s more important than ever to understand your audience, tailor the experience to their expectations, and, above all, honour the IP.

What keeps you up at night? What’s your biggest challenge these days?
The sense that there’s always more I could be doing. Balancing ambition with focus. There’s always one more opportunity to chase or conversation to have.

In your opinion, what is the top skill every licensing executive should have in order to succeed?
Relationship building. Being personable, responsive, and collaborative is key. Everything moves faster and better when trust is there.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received, or what’s your favorite quote?
“We have two ears and one tongue so that we would listen more and talk less.” It’s a reminder to stay curious, ask the right questions, and really listen.

What is your favorite licensing deal of all time? (It doesn’t have to be one that was signed by you.)
Disney plasters. Simple, brilliant, and completely joyful.

If you weren’t in licensing, what would you be doing now?
In an alternative reality, my acting career really took off and I’d be performing in the West End or working on a film set.

The last licensed product I bought was…
A Legend of Zelda Korok plushie dog toy. My puppy is called Link, so it was an easy choice.

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