Will Packer

Legendary Movie Producer, Emmy Nominee, & Storyteller; Founder of Will Packer Productions

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Atlanta, GA, USA
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Will Packer Biography

Will Packer, a trailblazing filmmaker in Hollywood, has produced or executive produced movies that collectively grossed over $1 billion worldwide. The founder of Will Packer Productions and Will Packer Media, he has a reputation for creating commercially successful and culturally resonant films.

Packer has consistently pushed boundaries, prioritizing representation and authenticity in his storytelling. Whether through high-energy blockbusters or thought-provoking TV shows, his projects have contributed significantly to amplifying Black voices and narratives in mainstream entertainment.

Packer's numerous box office hits include "Girls Trip," "Night School," "Think Like a Man," and "Straight Outta Compton." A multiple Emmy Award nominee, he also gained recognition for producing the Academy Awards in 2022, where he led the first all-Black producing team in the ceremony's history.

His most recent project is Peacock's "Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist," a true-crime limited series based on the acclaimed podcast he also produced. The series delves into the dramatic armed robbery that occurred during Muhammad Ali's historic 1970 comeback fight in Atlanta, a moment that reshaped the trajectory of one man’s life and the city’s history.

In 2023, Packer released a new Christmas classic, “Dashing Through the Snow”; the same year, his first streaming platform feature film, “Praise This”, premiered to much acclaim. In 2022, he produced “Beast” starring frequent collaborator Idris Elba. Packer’s other productions include “The Photograph,” “Little,” “What Men Want,” the Ride Along series, the Think Like a Man series, “No Good Deed,” “Takers,” “Obsessed,” “Breaking In,” and “Stomp the Yard.”

Will Packer Media, Packer's television, digital, and branded content company, produces a variety of impactful projects. Notable podcasts with iHeart Media include Fight Fight Night, The Lower Bottoms, and IDEA GENERATION’s All Angles, as well as “ACross Generations with Tiffany Cross,” a candid conversation series with Black women of different life stages. On television, the hit dating show “Ready To Love” (OWN) was renewed for its 10th season, while “Queens Court,” a reality series, debuted on Peacock in March 2023. Other titles include “Put a Ring On It” (OWN), “That Girl Lay Lay” (Nickelodeon), “Bigger” (BET+), the docuseries “Blackballed,” “The Atlanta Child Murders,” (ID) and “The Disappearance of the Millbrook Twins” (OXYGEN).

Packer also served as the executive producer on the remake of “Roots,” for which he received an Emmy Award nomination. He has executive produced primetime programming including “Ambitions” (OWN), “Truth be Told” (NBC), “Uncle Buck” (ABC), and “Being Mary Jane” (BET). ​ From 2019 to 2022, Packer was honored in USC Annenberg’s 8 Producers Making an Impact list recognizing the top producers behind the most inclusive films. He has been featured in several other high-profile lists including Variety’s Billion Dollar Producers and 10 Producers to Watch, and Ebony’s prestigious Power 100 List. In 2018, he won the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Motion Picture for “Girls Trip;” additionally, he received a 2013 BET Award in Best Movie for “Think Like a Man.” He served as Jury President for the 2021 American Black Film Festival.

On May 21, 2024, it was announced that Packer became one of four new limited partners to the Atlanta Falcons ownership group. He serves on the board of the Atlanta Hawks Foundation and is a passionate advocate for HBCU initiatives. A magna cum laude graduate of Florida A&M University with a degree in electrical engineering, he has been honored with the university’s highest accolade, the Meritorious Achievement Award. Packer also holds an honorary doctorate from Savannah College of Art and Design.

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Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 07/04/2024.

Will Packer Speaking Topics

  • The Leadership Paradox

    Leaders are expected to be courageously visionary yet fiscally cautious. Boldly comfortable with a pioneering mindset yet be the ultimate team players. Packer addresses these challenges of leadership while addressing the rapidly evolving intersection of technology, art, and culture, especially as various industries grapple with the impact of recent labor events and debates surrounding artificial intelligence. To face the inevitable challenges to come, bold leaders must forge ahead fearlessly despite the uncertain and daunting future.

  • Plant The Tree Already

    In the wake of George Floyd’s tragedy and the continuation of the Black Lives Matter movement, numerous corporations recognized their stark lack of diversity in leadership. Packer utilizes his trademark humor and broadly appealing candor to bring a perspective infused with cultural authenticity to corporate audiences. Many are still working to address the shortage of qualified black and minority executives. Besides emphasizing the economic benefits of diverse leadership, legendary TV and Film Producer Will Packer invokes the African Proverb, “The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago. The second best time is now.” Cultivating a diverse executive team takes time and nurturing. If your organization hasn’t prioritized Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging, the next best step is to start today, whether through internships, entry-level programs, or diversity-focused mentorship. Don’t waste time perfecting a program; just take the first step with intention. The approach can and should be refined as you progress. Most importantly, don’t let another 20 years slip away.

  • It Ain’t About the Shoes

    As a film producer, Will Packer is bombarded with movie pitches everywhere, even in the most unexpected and sometimes humorous places. While some ideas are promising, most are not. A great idea is just the beginning; true success hinges on execution. Just like having the perfect pair of shoes at the marathon’s starting line – you still have a long way to go despite your possession of the right gear. Winners and losers are determined not by preparation, but by the actual implementation. Having all the necessary equipment for climbing a mountain means nothing until you’re actually hanging off the side, grappling with fatigue and uncertainty. Action will always speak louder than preparation.

  • Bicycle Wisdom: “Duck” It

    In a storm, experts advise against stopping by the roadside. No matter how challenging the conditions, it’s crucial to keep moving, even if slowly. Stagnation only prolongs your exposure to the storm. While you can’t control the weather, you can control your own movement. The same principle applies in life, business, and relationships. You can’t ride a bike without pedaling; constant progression is the key to overcoming seemingly insurmountable challenges. Just as a duck moves serenely through the water, it is the chaotic paddling beneath the surface that keeps it afloat and in motion.

  • How to Produce A Blockbuster Life

    In this era of unprecedented uncertainty and global turmoil, it is crucial to embrace the unknown and confront it with courage. In this talk, legendary Film and TV Producer Will Packer will share his personal triumphs, including leading the first all-black producing team in Academy Awards history and establishing a non-traditional Hollywood base in Atlanta, GA, with passion and humor. He will offer a unique perspective around boldly creating the life and career that you deserve. He will remind listeners that the Greatness they seek to achieve is already inside of them. And that whether others recognize it or not, the fact that you know it, trust it and believe it, is all that matters.

Will Packer Videos

  • Will Packer talks about persistence
    Will Packer -- producer of 'Stomp the Yard', 'Think Like a Man', and 'Ride Along' -- speaking at the UGA Charter Series Lecture about the importance...
  • Exclusive Interview of Film Producer Will Packer (with Atty. Brian Poe)
    At Atlanta Tribune: The Magazine's Man of the Year Reception at the Georgian Terrace on April 3, 2014, the award-winning media & technology company...
  • WILL PACKER
    AJ Calloway interviews Will Packer about building his film company Rainforest Films, his life's inspirations, and what has driven him to become so...

Will Packer Books

  • Who Better Than You?: The Art of Healthy Arrogance & Dreaming Big
    Who Better Than You?: The Art of Healthy Arrogance & Dreaming Big

Speaker Lists Featuring Will Packer

FAQs on booking Will Packer

  • How do I book Will Packer to speak at my event?

    Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Will Packer for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Will Packer, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Will Packer or any other speaker of your choice.
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    Speaking fees for Will Packer, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Will Packer are for live events and for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Will Packer, click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
  • What topics does Will Packer speak about?

    Will Packer is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Acting, Black Heritage, Business, Celebrity, Comedy, Diversity & Inclusion, Entertainers, Entertainment, Leadership, Social Activism, Television & Film.
  • Where does Will Packer travel from?

    Will Packer generally travels from Atlanta, GA, USA, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent.
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    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully booked keynote speakers like Will Packer for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Will Packer for your next private or corporate function.
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Will Packer is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as The Leadership Paradox, Plant The Tree Already, It Ain’t About the Shoes, Bicycle Wisdom: “Duck” It and How to Produce A Blockbuster Life. The estimated speaking fee range to book Will Packer for your event is available upon request. Will Packer generally travels from Atlanta, GA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Spike Lee, Robert Townsend, F. Gary Gray, Issa Rae and Marsai Martin. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Will Packer for an upcoming live or virtual event.

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