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Born to License
Unlock the secrets of the $350 billion licensing industry with David Born, CEO of Born Licensing & Born to License. Whether you’re a business owner, brand enthusiast, or curious about how your favorite characters and brands make their way onto products, this podcast is your ultimate guide to the world of licensing.
Join David as he shares insider stories, practical tips, and real-world examples, helping you navigate the exciting intersection of creativity, commerce, and collaboration. From product development to pitching, licensing terminology to success stories—get ready to discover the untapped potential of this dynamic industry.
New episodes every two weeks.
Episodes
49 episodes
Super Bowl Preview: Why Licensed Ads Steal the Show
For many people, the Super Bowl isn’t about the game - it’s about the ads.In this episode of Born to License, David Born breaks down why character and IP licensing has become one of the most powerful tools in Super Bowl adverti...
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Season 3
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Episode 5
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12:34
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What AI Means for Licensing (Opportunities, Risks & Reality)
AI is moving fast — and the licensing industry can’t afford to ignore it.In this episode of Born to License, David Born breaks down what artificial intelligence really means for licensing, brand owners, licensees, and consu...
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15:40
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Las Vegas Licensing Expo: How to Prepare Now (Before It’s Too Late)
Licensing Expo may be in May - but if you’re not preparing right now, you’re already behind.In this episode of Born to License, David Born shares exactly how he and his team prepare for Licensing Expo 2026, the world...
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Season 3
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Episode 3
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12:24
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David’s Hot Take - which Movies will be Licensing Hits in 2026?
Every year, studios release dozens of blockbuster films — but only a handful actually become licensing powerhouses.In this episode of Born to License, David Born shares his hot take on the 2026 theatrical slate and...
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Season 3
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Episode 2
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19:57
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The Power of Peanuts: Why Peanuts Is Worth $1.1 Billion (And What That Teaches About Evergreen IP)
Sony’s $450M acquisition of Peanuts shocked a lot of people — but for those who understand licensing, the $1.1B valuation makes perfect sense.In this episode of Born to License, David Born breaks down why Peanuts is worth over...
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Season 3
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Episode 1
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14:51
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2026 Predictions: Consolidation, Tentpoles, and the Future of Licensing
2026 could be the most transformative year in licensing history. From the potential Netflix-Warner Bros. mega-merger to one of the most stacked theatrical lineups we've seen in years, the licensing landscape is about to change dramatically....
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11:16
Funko, Hasbro, Care Bears + more - our Best Bits from 2025.
We're wrapping up 2025 with our best bits from the year. The moments that made us think differently about licensing, the stories we're still talking about, and the insights you need heading into 2026.This year, we sat down wi...
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Season 2
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Episode 14
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40:45
Disney's $1B AI Bet: The Entertainment Industry's Permission Slip
Disney just invested $1 billion in OpenAI, opening up Marvel, Star Wars, and Pixar for AI-generated fan content on Disney+. The twist? Months ago, Disney was suing AI companies for IP infringement. This pivot from litigation to integration chan...
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7:12
Emergency Update: Paramount vs. Netflix - The Battle for Warner Bros. & What It Means for Licensing
Just 3 days after Netflix's historic offer, Paramount launched a stunning $108.4B hostile takeover bid for Warner Bros. Discovery—bypassing the board and going directly to shareholders. David Born breaks down the all-cash offer, the political i...
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Season 2
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Episode 14
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7:51
Born to License Year-End Special: The Full Team Reveals 2025's Record Success
After 11 years in business, 2025 became Born's most successful year ever. In this special year-end episode, the entire Born team comes together to share the untold stories behind the record-breaking achievements.Featured Team Insights:<...
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Season 2
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Episode 12
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1:21:19
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EMERGENCY EPISODE: Netflix Buys Warner Bros. – What It Means for Licensing
EMERGENCY EPISODE: Netflix has just won the bidding war to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery's streaming platforms and legendary IP portfolio in an $82.7 billion deal - but what does this mean for the licensing industry?In this urgen...
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Season 2
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Episode 13
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18:53
Coming Monday: Inside our Licensing Ecosystem - 2025 Year-End Special
2025 was our best year EVER after 11 years in business.In this special wrap-up trailer, get a sneak peek at our record-breaking achievements, groundbreaking campaigns, and what's coming in 2026 for Born Licensing, Born to License and Le...
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Season 2
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Episode 12
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1:46
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BIG Announcement: Born in Action has Launched!
🎬 BIG Announcement: Born in Action Vlog Series Is Here!Exciting news for the Born to License community! We're launching a brand-new vlog series called Born in Action that takes you behind the scenes of running a global licensing a...
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0:37
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How Gaming Became Licensing's Biggest Opportunity
Simon Kay has spent 30 years at the forefront of digital licensing, watching it evolve from simple console games to today's complex ecosystem of Roblox, Fortnite, Web3, and beyond.In this comprehensive conversation, Simon reveals:
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Season 2
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Episode 11
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56:21
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Coming Monday: Why Games with IP Get 3X More Downloads
One statistic is reshaping the entire gaming industry: Players are 3X more likely to download games with IP they recognize.In this trailer, licensing expert Simon Kay (30 years of experience) reveals how this single fact is driving bill...
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Season 2
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Episode 11
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1:13
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How Care Bears Became a Multi-Generational Powerhouse
In this episode of Born to License, David Born sits down with Charlotte Payne, Head of International Licensing for Care Bears, for a deep dive into one of the world’s most beloved and enduring brands.Charlotte shares how Care Bears tran...
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Season 2
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Episode 10
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49:12
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Coming Monday: The Care Bears Story You Didn’t Expect
Nostalgia is powerful - and for millions of people, Care Bears shaped their childhood. In this emotional episode trailer, Charlotte Payne, Head of International for Care Bears at Cloudco, shares why these iconic characters are not just survivin...
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Season 2
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Episode 10
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1:03
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Inside the World of Location-Based Licensing
In this episode of Born to License, David Born sits down with Annabel Rochfort, one of the most influential voices in location-based entertainment (LBE).From her first trip to Disneyland to leading major projects for Cartoon Network, Wa...
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Season 2
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Episode 9
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51:33
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Coming Monday: From Disneyland Dreams to Ferrari Reality
Sometimes one childhood moment can shape an entire career. For Annabel Rochfort, it began with a single trip to Disneyland Paris — a spark that ignited a lifelong passion for bringing brands to life.In this Born to License episode trail...
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Season 2
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Episode 9
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1:06
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The Hidden World of Licensed Product Development
Think you can launch licensed products in 2 months? Think again.Join product development expert Jenna as she reveals why licensed products take 9-18 months from concept to shelf. With nearly two decades of experience from Disney to Cart...
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Season 2
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Episode 8
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55:31
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Coming Monday: The Product Development Journey Nobody Talks About
Get an exclusive preview of our conversation with product development expert Jenna, who's handled 1000+ submissions at once. Discover why your 2-month timeline is impossible and what really happens behind the scenes of every licensed product.
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Season 2
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Episode 8
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0:53
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Licensing Law Exposed: Red Flags, Audits & Million Dollar Mistakes
Think licensing is just about paying royalties? Think again.David Schnider, licensing attorney at Nolan Heimann, reveals the legal minefields hidden in every licensing contract. From his journey licensing Top Gun costumes to negotiating...
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Season 2
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Episode 7
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57:22
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Coming Monday: Why 95% of Licensees Fail Their First Audit
Preview our conversation with David Schnider, the licensing attorney who's seen it all. From Top Gun's million-dollar success to Disney audit disasters, discover the legal landmines hiding in every licensing contract.In this preview:
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Season 2
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Episode 7
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1:05
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The Future of Licensing: AI, Dynamic Royalties & Virtual Influencers
What will licensing look like in 2035? Sharon Weisman has the answers.As US CEO of Portman Street and former executive at License Global and Licensing International, Sharon reveals how AI, dynamic royalty structures, and responsiv...
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Season 2
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Episode 6
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1:01:08
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Coming Soon: The Future (2035) of Licensing Revealed
Get an exclusive preview of Sharon Weisman's bold predictions for licensing's future. From AI that eliminates guesswork to virtual influencers earning millions, discover why everything you know about licensing is about to change dramatically.
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Season 2
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Episode 6
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1:10
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