Born to License

Big news, Born to License listeners! Season 2 is launching next week and David has pulled back the curtain on the licensing industry like never before. Get ready for explosive conversations with the dealmakers, risk-takers, and creative minds who transform your favourite characters and brands into billion-dollar empires.

This season features exclusive interviews with industry titans managing massive portfolios, first-time licensees sharing their brutal lessons, and legal experts revealing what those contracts really mean. From Funko's incredible 1,000+ licensed properties to The Wiggles' Madison Square Garden phenomenon, every episode uncovers the human stories behind the deals that shape what you buy.

You'll discover how $80 Galactus popcorn buckets get greenlit, what AI predictions mean for licensing's future, and meet the fans-turned-entrepreneurs who are disrupting everything. These aren't just interviews - they're masterclasses in turning creativity into commerce, featuring insights you simply can't find anywhere else.

Whether you're an entrepreneur seeking breakthrough strategies, a brand manager navigating complex partnerships, or someone curious about how your favourite products journey from concept to shelf, Season 2 delivers the insider knowledge that matters.

Don't miss out: New episodes drop weekly starting next week. Subscribe now and hit the notification bell because these stories will change how you think about business, creativity, and the products around you.

#Licensing #BusinessPodcast #BornToLicense #Entrepreneurship #BehindTheScenes

🎙 Born to License – Hosted by David Born

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🔹 Join the Licensing Conversation: #BornToLicense #LicensingIndustry #BrandPartnerships #LearntoLicense

👉 Have a question about licensing? Send it in for our upcoming Q&A episode!

📩 Contact: [email protected]

🎧 Subscribe & Follow for new episodes on licensing and the business of IP!

Big news, Born to License listeners! David has some exciting announcements including exclusive interviews with licensing industry leaders launching later this month. Plus, he's created something he wishes existed 20 years ago when he walked into that infamous licensing interview knowing absolutely nothing about the industry.

Introducing the Learn to License course - a comprehensive program perfect for anyone wanting to license their product, build a career in licensing, or simply understand how that Marvel t-shirt ended up in their favorite store. Whether you're a complete beginner or looking to level up your licensing knowledge, this course covers everything David wishes he'd known from day one.

Don't miss out: Visit learntolicense.com now for early access and lock in 25% off the regular price. This limited-time offer won't last long!

🎙 Born to License – Hosted by David Born

🔹 Sign up for Learn to License 

🔹 Learn More about Born to License

🔹 Learn More about Born Licensing

🔹 Follow David on LinkedIn

🔹 Follow David on Instagram

🔹 Check out thedavidborn.com

🔹 Join the Licensing Conversation: #BornToLicense #LicensingIndustry #BrandPartnerships #LearntoLicense

👉 Have a question about licensing? Send it in for our upcoming Q&A episode!

📩 Contact: [email protected]

🎧 Subscribe & Follow for new episodes on licensing and the business of IP!

After 9 episodes packed with stories, strategies, and behind-the-scenes insights, we’re wrapping up Season 1 with something special: a Q&A session featuring real questions from Born to License listeners around the world.

From contract terms to trade show strategy to YouTube licensing requests gone wrong - this episode covers a wide range of practical, honest advice from inside the industry.

We’ll cover:

• What cross-collateralization really means—and when to avoid it

• How to make the most of Brand Licensing Europe as a first-time exhibitor

• What happens when you import branded goods without a license

• Why using cartoons on YouTube is trickier than you think

Whether you’re brand new to licensing or decades deep, this episode offers valuable insights, and a heartfelt thank-you for being part of our Season 1 journey.

🎧 Listen now on your favorite podcast platform and stay tuned for Season 2, launching later this year with industry interviews, advanced topics, and more licensing wisdom from across the globe.

🎙 Born to License – Hosted by David Born

🔹 Sign up for Learn to License 

🔹 Learn More about Born to License

🔹 Learn More about Born Licensing

🔹 Follow David on LinkedIn

🔹 Follow David on Instagram

🔹 Check out thedavidborn.com

🔹 Join the Licensing Conversation: #BornToLicense #LicensingIndustry #BrandPartnerships #LearntoLicense

👉 Have a question about licensing? Send it in for our upcoming Q&A episode!

📩 Contact: [email protected]

🎧 Subscribe & Follow for new episodes on licensing and the business of IP!

Sometimes the biggest licensing mistakes happen before the deal is even signed. In this episode of Born to License, I break down the most common pitfalls that trip up companies - and how to avoid them.

Join me at the kitchen table as I walk through a late-night conversation that turned into a full-blown breakdown of what not to do in licensing. From mismatched IP to unrealistic timelines and hidden costs, this episode is packed with hard-earned lessons every brand should hear.

We’ll cover:

• Why licensing is a partnership - not just a logo placement

• The danger of choosing IP based on fame instead of fit

• How poor planning can derail your product launch

• The financial traps that turn licensing deals into losses

If you’re thinking about licensing—or already deep in it - this episode could save you from an expensive mistake.

🎧 Listen now on your favorite podcast platform—and make sure your next licensing deal is built for success.

🎙 Born to License – Hosted by David Born

🔹 Sign up for Learn to License 

🔹 Learn More about Born to License

🔹 Learn More about Born Licensing

🔹 Follow David on LinkedIn

🔹 Follow David on Instagram

🔹 Check out thedavidborn.com

🔹 Join the Licensing Conversation: #BornToLicense #LicensingIndustry #BrandPartnerships #LearntoLicense

👉 Have a question about licensing? Send it in for our upcoming Q&A episode!

📩 Contact: [email protected]

🎧 Subscribe & Follow for new episodes on licensing and the business of IP!

When a licensing deal really works, it’s not because of star power or nostalgia alone. It’s because it feels right. In this episode of Born to License, I dive into the one ingredient that separates forgettable partnerships from truly great ones: authenticity.

Join me in a New York City boardroom as I walk a top advertising agency through iconic campaigns featuring He-Man, Buddy the Elf, and Donatello from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles - each one a masterclass in getting the details right. From voice casting to character behaviour to the smallest design elements, every choice matters.

We’ll cover:

• Why authenticity makes or breaks a licensing campaign

• Real-world examples of campaigns that got it right

• The hidden details that audiences instantly notice

• How to ensure licensed characters enhance your brand - not distract from it

If you’ve ever wondered what makes a licensed ad, product, or experience truly resonate, this episode reveals the answer.

🎧 Listen now on your favorite podcast platform—and remember, audiences know when it’s not real.

🎙 Born to License – Hosted by David Born

🔹 Learn More about Born to License

🔹 Follow David on LinkedIn

🔹 Join the Licensing Conversation: #BornToLicense #LicensingIndustry #AuthenticityInAdvertising

👉 Have a question about licensing? Send it in for our upcoming Q&A episode!

📩 Contact: [email protected]

🎧 Subscribe & Follow for new episodes on licensing and the business of IP!

🎙 Born to License – Hosted by David Born

🔹 Sign up for Learn to License 

🔹 Learn More about Born to License

🔹 Learn More about Born Licensing

🔹 Follow David on LinkedIn

🔹 Follow David on Instagram

🔹 Check out thedavidborn.com

🔹 Join the Licensing Conversation: #BornToLicense #LicensingIndustry #BrandPartnerships #LearntoLicense

👉 Have a question about licensing? Send it in for our upcoming Q&A episode!

📩 Contact: [email protected]

🎧 Subscribe & Follow for new episodes on licensing and the business of IP!

When most people think of licensing, they picture products on store shelves - t-shirts, toys, and collectibles. But some of the most powerful licensing opportunities don’t involve physical products at all.

In this episode of Born to License, I take you inside the world of non-traditional licensing - where brands extend into advertising campaigns, theme parks, live events, and digital experiences. I’ll share the story of a creative collaboration between the Powerpuff Girls and Volkswagen, and how licensing outside of retail can drive massive brand engagement.

We’ll cover:

• Why licensing isn’t just about merchandise

• How advertising, theme parks, and live events keep brands alive

• The power of emotional storytelling in licensing deals

• Why a strong licensing strategy is about more than products—it’s about brand expansion

If you’ve ever wondered how your favorite characters end up in unexpected places, this episode pulls back the curtain.

🎧 Listen now on your favorite podcast platform—and stay curious, because licensing is everywhere.

🎙 Born to License – Hosted by David Born

🔹 Sign up for Learn to License 

🔹 Learn More about Born to License

🔹 Learn More about Born Licensing

🔹 Follow David on LinkedIn

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🔹 Check out thedavidborn.com

🔹 Join the Licensing Conversation: #BornToLicense #LicensingIndustry #BrandPartnerships #LearntoLicense

👉 Have a question about licensing? Send it in for our upcoming Q&A episode!

📩 Contact: [email protected]

🎧 Subscribe & Follow for new episodes on licensing and the business of IP!

Signing a licensing deal is only the beginning. What happens next is the intricate and high-stakes journey of product development - where even the smallest details matter.

In this episode of Born to License, I take you inside the process of how licensed products are actually brought to life, based on my time working with brands like Ben 10 and the Powerpuff Girls at Cartoon Network. From concept sketches to packaging approvals, I walk you through the many stages a product must go through before it ever hits the shelves.

We’ll cover:

• Why product development is where most licensing mistakes happen

• How licensors protect their brand at every stage

• Why even small details (like color shades and fonts) can make or break a product

• The collaborative, often intense revision process behind the scenes

If you’ve ever wondered why licensing is about far more than just signing contracts, this episode gives you a behind-the-scenes look at what it really takes to launch a licensed product the right way.

🎧 Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or your favorite platform.

🎙 Born to License – Hosted by David Born

🔹 Sign up for Learn to License 

🔹 Learn More about Born to License

🔹 Learn More about Born Licensing

🔹 Follow David on LinkedIn

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🔹 Check out thedavidborn.com

🔹 Join the Licensing Conversation: #BornToLicense #LicensingIndustry #BrandPartnerships #LearntoLicense

👉 Have a question about licensing? Send it in for our upcoming Q&A episode!

📩 Contact: [email protected]

🎧 Subscribe & Follow for new episodes on licensing and the business of IP!

When you think of licensing, it’s easy to focus on the end product—the t-shirts, toys, or snacks on shelves. But behind every licensed product is a licensor making strategic decisions about what deals move forward… and which ones don’t.

In this episode of Born to License, I take you inside my experience as a licensor at Warner Bros., where I reviewed  a raft of licensing proposals - from sparkling water with Looney Tunes branding to puffy dogs featuring Scooby-Doo. You’ll hear how licensors assess brand fit, retail readiness, and long-term value before saying yes to a deal.

We’ll cover:

• Why a great idea isn’t enough to get a deal over the line

• The importance of infrastructure, manufacturing, and distribution

• Why licensors often say no - even to good ideas

• What makes the best licensing partnerships feel effortless

If you’re a brand looking to license IP, or a business wanting to partner with a major licensor, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at what licensors are really thinking.

And if you have a question about licensing, I want to hear from you! Episode 10 will be a special Q&A where I answer listener questions—so send yours to [email protected], and I’ll do my best to include it in the show.

🎙 Born to License – Hosted by David Born

🔹 Sign up for Learn to License 

🔹 Learn More about Born to License

🔹 Learn More about Born Licensing

🔹 Follow David on LinkedIn

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🔹 Check out thedavidborn.com

🔹 Join the Licensing Conversation: #BornToLicense #LicensingIndustry #BrandPartnerships #LearntoLicense

👉 Have a question about licensing? Send it in for our upcoming Q&A episode!

📩 Contact: [email protected]

🎧 Subscribe & Follow for new episodes on licensing and the business of IP!

Licensing Expo is the biggest event in the global licensing calendar - an unmissable opportunity for brands, licensees, and retailers to connect, discover new IP, and strike game-changing deals.

In this special bonus episode of Born to License, I’m pressing pause on Season 1 to bring you everything you need to know about Licensing Expo 2025. Whether you’re attending for the first time or returning for your tenth, this episode will help you make the most of your time in Vegas.

I’m joined by Anna Clarke, SVP of the Global Licensing Group at Informa Markets, who shares what to expect this year and how to prepare. I also speak with Alyssa Clark, our Product Development Coordinator at Born to License, who is attending for the very first time and shares how she’s getting ready.

We’ll cover:

• What Licensing Expo is and why it’s so important

• How to navigate the show like a pro

• What first-time attendees should (and shouldn’t) do

• My personal top 5 tips from over a decade of attending

🎟️ Whether you’ve registered already or are still on the fence, this episode will leave you informed, inspired, and ready to make Licensing Expo 2025 your best event yet.

🎙 Born to License – Hosted by David Born

🔹 Sign up for Learn to License 

🔹 Learn More about Born to License

🔹 Learn More about Born Licensing

🔹 Follow David on LinkedIn

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🔹 Check out thedavidborn.com

🔹 Join the Licensing Conversation: #BornToLicense #LicensingIndustry #BrandPartnerships #LearntoLicense

👉 Have a question about licensing? Send it in for our upcoming Q&A episode!

📩 Contact: [email protected]

🎧 Subscribe & Follow for new episodes on licensing and the business of IP!

By the time I reached my fourth year in licensing, I thought I had a pretty good handle on the industry. I had worked with major entertainment brands - Looney Tunes, Scooby-Doo, The Simpsons. But everything changed in 2013, when I walked into my first Licensing Expo in Las Vegas.

In this episode of Born to License, I take you back to that game-changing moment. I had only seen a small piece of the licensing puzzle - until I found myself surrounded by brands I never imagined were part of this world. From fashion and luxury to food, beverages, and even museums, that week in Vegas opened my eyes to just how massive and diverse the licensing industry really is.

We’ll cover:

• The wide world of licensing - beyond characters and entertainment

• Why Licensing Expo is the heartbeat of the industry

• How unexpected brands (like Reese’s, Lamborghini, and the Smithsonian) use licensing to expand their reach

• What I learned about brand storytelling, equity, and global opportunity

If you’ve ever thought licensing was just about cartoons and blockbuster movies - this episode will change your mind.

And if you have a burning question about licensing, I want to hear from you! Episode 10 will be a special Q&A where I answer listener questions—so send yours to [email protected], and I’ll do my best to include it in the show.

🎙 Born to License – Hosted by David Born

🔹 Sign up for Learn to License 

🔹 Learn More about Born to License

🔹 Learn More about Born Licensing

🔹 Follow David on LinkedIn

🔹 Follow David on Instagram

🔹 Check out thedavidborn.com

🔹 Join the Licensing Conversation: #BornToLicense #LicensingIndustry #BrandPartnerships #LearntoLicense

👉 Have a question about licensing? Send it in for our upcoming Q&A episode!

📩 Contact: [email protected]

🎧 Subscribe & Follow for new episodes on licensing and the business of IP!