Judd Zebersky left Jazwares on March 20, 2026, closing a chapter that began nearly 30 years earlier when he walked away from a law career to figure out how toys were made. What he built in that span is now one of the most recognized toy companies in the world, home to Squishmallows and dozens of licensed entertainment brands.
Judd Zebersky earned his law degree from the University of Miami School of Law and ran his own firm before making the pivot. In 1997, he traveled to China and spent months on factory floors, absorbing manufacturing processes from the inside. He later described visiting remote facilities on dirt roads, immersing himself in injection molding, blow molding, rotocasting, and the engineering details that most executives delegate entirely.
Building Block by Block
Jazwares found its footing through licensed products. Partnerships with Minecraft, Sonic the Hedgehog, and Fortnite gave the company traction in major retail channels. The acquisition of Wicked Cool Toys in 2019 added Pokémon to that roster. The 2020 purchase of Kellytoy added something else entirely: Squishmallows.
Squishmallows, the character-driven plush line with names, backstories, and squishdays for each figure, became a TikTok phenomenon. Lady Gaga and Kim Kardashian were among the celebrity fans. More than 100 million units moved in a single year. Individual Squishmallows retailed between $5 and $30, making them accessible at nearly every price point.
Alleghany Capital Corporation backed Jazwares beginning in 2014 and took a majority interest two years later. The company passed to Berkshire Hathaway when it acquired Alleghany in 2022’s fourth quarter.
Awards and Giving
Industry recognition reflected the company’s momentum. Jazwares appeared on TIME’s Most Influential Companies list, Fast Company’s Best Workplaces for Innovators, and Fortune’s Best Workplaces in Manufacturing and Production. Judd Zebersky personally earned the South Florida Business Journal’s Ultimate CEOs award in 2024.
Jazwares Cares, the philanthropic arm Zebersky built into the company from day one, has donated millions of toys through partnerships with Make-A-Wish, Toys for Tots, and Ronald McDonald House. The Zebersky family separately gave $2 million to Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital. Chief Operating Officer David Neustein took over as CEO on March 23, 2026. Read this article for additional information.
More about Judd Zebersky on https://toyworldmag.co.uk/jazwares-announces-departure-of-senior-leadership/