A limited edition CamelBak x Crayola water bottle went viral on LinkedIn with 9.5 million views — and almost nobody mentioned the word licensing once.

In this episode, David breaks down how a product that launched quietly in November 2025 suddenly exploded seven months later, why the internet called it "brand collab genius" instead of what it actually was, and what that reveals about how the licensing industry tells (or fails to tell) its own story.

We also dig into what the Barbie movie phenomenon had in common with this crayon-shaped water bottle — and why moments like these keep happening without licensing ever getting the credit.

If you work in licensing, brand partnerships, or marketing, this one will make you think differently about how you explain what you do.

Topics covered:

• The CamelBak x Crayola viral moment — and what really made it work
• Why great licensed products can go viral years after launch
• The visibility gap: why licensing is invisible in mainstream conversations
• How the industry can do a better job of telling its own story

💡 Key Insight:

This product didn’t go viral because of a campaign.It sat quietly on Amazon for 7 months… until the right person shared it at the right moment.

🎙 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: hello@borntolicense.com

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Toy Story 5 is taking over - and this episode breaks down exactly why from a licensing perspective.

In this episode of Born to License, I’m coming to you from Los Angeles (new home!) after moving from Brazil - and diving straight into one of the biggest licensing moments of the year.

From airports to retail stores to immersive brand activations, Toy Story 5 is everywhere. I predicted earlier this year that it would be the biggest licensing hit of 2026… and now we’re seeing it play out in real time.

This episode is a bit different - I didn’t just analyze this trend… I lived it.

🔍 What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• Why Toy Story 5 is dominating licensing in 2026
• How major brands are activating partnerships (including real-world examples)
• What makes a franchise “unavoidable” at retail
• Lessons from immersive experiences like themed pop-ups
• How global markets (Brazil vs. USA) approach entertainment licensing
• Why timing, scale, and nostalgia still win in licensing

📍 Real-World Licensing in Action

I take you through my first day in LA, including a Toy Story-themed experience—from branded food partnerships to retail takeovers and experiential marketing.

This is what best-in-class licensing looks like when everything aligns:

👉 Content

👉 Retail

👉 Partnerships

👉 Fan engagement

🎙 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: hello@borntolicense.com

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I’m moving to Los Angeles - and this isn’t a lifestyle decision. It’s a strategic one.

In this episode of Born to License, I break down why LA is the global center of the licensing industry, and why being physically close to the biggest IP owners in the world matters more than ever.

From Disney and Netflix to Warner Bros. and Mattel, the companies shaping global entertainment — and licensing — are all based in Los Angeles. And in today’s environment, being in the room is back.

But that’s just part of the episode.

We also dive into some of the biggest licensing stories happening right now — from the World Cup commercial machine to unexpected collaborations and the rise of social media-born IP.

🎯 In This Episode:

• Why I’m relocating from Brazil to Los Angeles
• Why LA is the center of global licensing & entertainment IP
• How in-person relationships are reshaping the industry
• The massive licensing opportunity behind the FIFA World Cup
• How brands like Amazon, Macy’s & Roblox are activating globally
• The rise of Duolingo as a licensing brand (and what it signals)
• Why Stranger Things is still winning at retail post-series
• My honest take on Scooby-Doo’s new live-action direction
• Why some reboots don’t translate into licensing success
• The surprising brilliance of Hello Kitty x Spam

💡 Key Takeaway: Licensing isn’t just about great IP — it’s about timing, proximity, and cultural relevance. And right now, Los Angeles sits at the center of it all.

🌎 Follow the Journey: I’ll be documenting the move to LA in real time — from industry meetings to behind-the-scenes moments.

🎙 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: hello@borntolicense.com

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