What began as a childhood fascination with characters has grown into almost two decades at the forefront of global licensing. David Born has built and led licensing businesses, worked with some of the world’s most iconic IP holders — including Disney, Warner Bros., Paramount, Universal, Mattel and Hasbro — and helped brands turn entertainment IP into meaningful growth across marketing and commerce.
His work has been recognised across the industry, including being named to License Global’s Top 40 Under 40, featured in Licensing.biz’s Power 50, and included in Brands Untapped’s Top 100. Today, David leads a portfolio of licensing ventures, shares insight from the deals behind the scenes, and helps make licensing more visible, accessible and understood for the next generation.
The Born Collective brings together a group of ventures built on deep industry experience, entrepreneurial drive and a shared belief in the power of licensing. United by a focus on brands, IP and growth, the Collective exists to unlock opportunity, create value and shape the future of licensing through insight, action and education.
Character and movie clip licensing for epic advertising campaigns
Licensing strategy and IP partnerships for consumer products
Brand Licensing education for future industry leaders
Legal guidance for compliant brand campaigns
Recognition earned through the work — and the results behind it.
Demystifying the Licensing industry. Unlock the secrets of the $350 billion licensing industry.
BEYOND LICENSING
Licensing may be the work, but it’s not the whole story. Beyond the deals and the day job, David is driven by challenge, discipline and curiosity — whether that’s marathon running, pushing personal limits, or exploring different parts of the world. Having lived across three continents and travelled to nearly 50 countries, he draws inspiration from global perspectives and diverse cultures. A natural fan of all things entertainment, this broader outlook fuels the focus, creativity and energy he brings back into everything he builds.
BORN SOCIAL
