Born to License

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 The Oodie built a powerful brand through product, positioning, and smart growth decisions - and how licensing can become a key lever for scaling brands like this even further. Whil...

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 focuses on Best Picture , the licensing industry should be paying attention to a very different category: Best Animated Feature . From Shrek to Frozen , animated films have consist...

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, attended by thousands of industry professionals and hundreds of brands shaping the next wave of licensed products. Recorded just before leaving Australia, this episode is a...

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 portfolio of brands, but on one singular IP. In this episode of Born to License , we unpack the strategy behind that dominance. We explore: How Pokémon leverages...

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 seismic shift means for the licensing industry. In this episode: 🌍 The licensing landscape just changed overnight Paramount (#12) + Warner Bros. Discovery...

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 Australian Toy Hobby and Licensing Fair , the largest trade event of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere, held at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre. With around 20...

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 SquarePants restaurant in São Paulo , to going behind the scenes at one of Australia’s fastest-growing licensed product businesses, to analyzing whether we’ve reached “Peak Labu...

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 challenges to partnering with Disney, Marvel, Pixar, and beyond. In this conversation, you’ll learn: How Hippo Blue transitioned from trends to evergreen IP Why lice...

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 advertising , especially now that a 30-second spot costs up to $8 million . From Bill Murray reliving Groundhog Day for Jeep to Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul returning as Walter...

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 consumer products teams — beyond the hype and headlines. From creative development and approvals to brand protection and scalability, AI has the potential to reshape how licensing...

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’s biggest licensing event, attracting over 12,000 attendees and 5,000 brands from more than 70 countries. From booking meetings months in advance to surviving long days on the sho...

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 answers the question every licensee, licensor, and retailer should be asking right now: which movies will really drive consumer products sales? Drawing on real industry experience, D...

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 a billion dollars , what that valuation really means inside the licensing industry, and how evergreen IP is built, protected, and monetized at scale. Using real-world exam...

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. In this episode, David Born breaks down everything you need to watch in 2026: the consolidation dominating headlines, the exodus of licensing talent resha...

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 with some of the industry's most influential voices. From Lucy Salisbury explaining how Funko sifts through thousands of licensing pitches when "everyone s...

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 changes everything for licensing. In this episode David Born breaks down why Disney's move gives the entire industry permission to embrace AI, how Warner B...

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 implications, and what this means for the licensing industry. 🎙 Born to License – Hosted by David Born 🔹 Sign up for Learn to License  🔹 Learn More ab...

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: Born Licensing Team (Amber & Alberto): - The Garfield groundbreaking billboard campaign - Google Pixel's first Christmas campaign (2-month turnaround...

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 urgent episode, host David Born breaks down the deal that's sending shockwaves through Hollywood and explains why no one is talking about the biggest question for t...

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 Learn to License. Full episode drops December 12th and features the entire Born team sharing untold stories from the year. 🎙 Born to License – Hosted by David B...

🎬 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 agency. Want to see what licensing looks like in the real world? Not just theory and interviews - but actual deals, industry events, remote team management, and eve...

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: The Evolution Journey: - How he became one of the first to focus on gaming licensing 30 years ago - The progression from full game development to content integrati...

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 billions in revenue and creating massive opportunities for brands and developers. 🔔 Subscribe for the full conversation ⏰ Full episode: 12/01/2025 🎙 Born to License...

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 transformed from an 80s classic into a multi-generational force — appealing to kids, parents, collectors, and Gen Z fans across the globe. She reveals how nostalgia, c...

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 surviving… but thriving across generations. Charlotte opens up about her own childhood bedroom filled with Care Bears, how nostalgia is driving a global cultural sh...