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 examples — from Snoopy T-shirts to small businesses like Plum Deluxe — this episode pulls back the curtain on licensing approvals, brand protection, and why the systems behind billion-dollar IP exist for a reason.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why Sony’s Peanuts acquisition validates the power of evergreen IP
• What a $1.1B valuation actually means operationally in licensing
• How Peanuts generates $3.2B in retail sales across 1,200+ licenses
• Why licensing approvals take time — and why that’s a good thing
• How small brands can successfully license billion-dollar IP
• Why Peanuts continues to resonate with Gen Z without blockbuster films

This episode is essential listening for anyone curious about brand equity, licensing strategy, IP protection, or how iconic brands like Peanuts stay culturally relevant for over 75 years.

🎧 Next episode: David shares his movie predictions for 2026 — and which theatrical releases will (and won’t) drive licensed product sales.

🎙 Born to License – Hosted by David Born

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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 reshaping the competitive landscape, and the massive theatrical releases that will drive consumer products - from Super Mario Galaxy and Toy Story 5 to Avengers Doomsday and Narnia.

Plus, David explores the trends that will define the year ahead: AI's impact on licensing, the explosion of characters in advertising, retailers desperate for differentiation, and the continued power of nostalgia brands. Whether you're a licensor, licensee, or retailer, this episode gives you the strategic insights you need to navigate 2026 successfully.

Key Topics:

• Netflix-Warner Bros. Discovery deal and consolidation ripple effects
• The biggest theatrical releases of 2026 and their licensing implications
• Where displaced licensing talent will land—and how it will reshape the industry
• AI, digital licensing, and emerging trends you can't ignore
• Public domain chaos, dynamic royalty models, and emerging markets
• Major licensing events and why you need to be there

Mentioned in this episode: Super Mario, Pixar's Hoppers, The Devil Wears Prada 2, The Mandalorian & Grogu, Masters of the Universe, Toy Story 5, Supergirl, Moana (live-action), Spider-Man, Narnia, Avengers Doomsday, and more.

🎙 Born to License – Hosted by David Born

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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 says it's the next biggest movie," to Charlotte Payne revealing how Care Bears has stayed relevant for 45 years, to Michelle Ahern sharing what it's really like to manage the hottest preschool brand on the planet - these are the conversations that define what great licensing looks like.

Here's what you'll hear in this compilation:

Lucy Salisbury (Funko) - How Funko uses Google Trends, TikTok searches, and Amazon data to cut through the noise when every licensor promises "the next big thing."

Julia Kamoda (Hasbro) - Why McDonald's Monopoly has succeeded for 30+ years and how iconic IP like Peppa Pig cuts through crowded retail aisles.

Simon Kay (AT New Media) - The urgent warning about digital licensing's future: UGC, Web3, reverse merchandising, and why "you've got no time—don't wait anymore."

Jenna Chalkley (Product Development) - Why product development professionals aren't celebrated enough and how the industry shifted from "just slapping brands on products" to valuing creativity.

Michelle Ahern (The Wiggles) - Managing the hottest kids brand with licensing agents as the "first line of defense" and why "what's in it for the kids?" drove every decision.

Charlotte Payne (Care Bears) - The 45-year formula: staying "relevant for today" while honoring nostalgia, with surprise collaborations like Hello Kitty, Barbie, and Wicked.

David Schnider (Legal) - Contract traps that cost hundreds of thousands and the auditor who in 25 years never found less than 5% discrepancy in licensing audits.

Sharon Weisman (Future Trends) - Why wellness is hitting 115 billion by 2028 and personalization is the next frontier in licensed merchandise.

Annabel Rochfort (Location-Based Entertainment) - The LBE hotspots: competitive socializing and resort destinations, plus why location matters more than brand strength alone.

Jasmine & Vincent (Fira X Wear) - Why being fans of the IP you're licensing is "of the utmost importance" and how authenticity shows in every product.

Caleb (The Collab King) - The biggest brand mistakes: fearing the secondary market and overproduction killing hype—the Beanie Baby effect.

Whether you're negotiating your first license or your five-hundredth, whether you're launching a product line or a theme park - these are the moments that will make you better at what you do.

🎙 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

🔹 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!