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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
59 episodes
How Licensing Helped The Oodie Build an $850M Brand | Special Episode with Davie Fogarty
How do you build a brand that people don’t just buy… but obsess over?In this episode of Born to License, David sits down with Davie Fogarty, Founder of The Oodie - one of the fastest-growing consumer brands to come out of...
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Season 3
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34:13
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Twix Campaign: The Secret Power of Licensed Characters in Advertising
Why do some ads become unforgettable… while others disappear instantly?In this episode of Born to License, David breaks down one of the most powerful tools in modern advertising: licensed characters.Using th...
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Season 3
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Episode 11
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8:01
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How The Oodie Decides Which Licenses to Back
How does a brand like The Oodie go from a simple product to a global success story - and what role does licensing play in that journey?In this episode of Born to License, we sit down with Rebecca Palmer to explore how ...
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Season 3
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50:54
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Licensing at the Oscars: The Category That Actually Matters
Why do some Oscar-winning films generate huge licensing businesses while others create almost none?In this episode of Born to License, David looks at Hollywood’s biggest night through a licensing lens. While the world foc...
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Season 3
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Episode 10
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8:15
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Melbourne Toy Fair Wrap-Up: The Biggest Licensing Trends From the Show Floor
He's just wrapped up a week at the Melbourne Toy Fair - and it was absolutely worth the trip.In this episode of Born to License, David shares his biggest takeaways from Australia’s largest toy and licensing trade event, att...
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Season 3
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Episode 9
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7:39
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Pokémon Day: 30 Years of the World’s Most Powerful Licensing Machine
Few brands in history have achieved what Pokémon has achieved.With over $103.6 billion in licensed retail sales and $12 billion generated in 2024 alone, Pokémon stands as the highest-grossing media franchise of all time — built not on a ...
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Season 3
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Episode 8
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6:56
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EMERGENCY EPISODE: Netflix Folds. What a Paramount x Warner Bros. Deal Really Means for Licensing
Netflix has walked away from its $82.7 billion deal to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery - and Paramount looks set to create a $22 billion licensing powerhouse. In this emergency episode of Born to License, David Born breaks down exactly what this...
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Season 3
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5:35
Melbourne Toy Fair Preview: What to Expect from Australia’s Biggest Toy Fair
I’m back in Melbourne — and for the first time in nearly a decade, Melbourne Toy Fair is officially back on my international event calendar.In this episode of Born to License, David Born previews what to expect from the Austral...
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Season 3
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Episode 7
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5:36
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I Visited the World’s First SpongeBob Restaurant + Hippo Blue + Labubu
This week on Born to License, David is reporting from Australia — but the episode spans three continents and three very different licensing stories.From dining inside Bikini Bottom at the world’s first official SpongeBob Square...
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Season 3
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Episode 6
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16:59
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How Hippo Blue Scaled with Disney Licensing - Special Episode
What really happens when a growing brand enters the world of licensing?In this episode of Born to License, we go deep with the founder of Hippo Blue to unpack a real-world licensing journey — from early design roots and manufacturing cha...
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Season 3
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44:18
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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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