Judd Zebersky’s Path Law School, Chinese Factories, and Squishmallows
The story of Jazwares begins not in a toy lab or a retail boardroom but in a law school classroom. Judd Zebersky graduated from the University of Miami School of Law and built a practice of his own. Then, in 1997, he looked at his wife, told her he wanted to make toys, and booked a flight to China.
He arrived with no manufacturing background and no production contacts. What he had was a willingness to learn directly. Judd Zebersky spent months inside Chinese toy factories, observing processes that most executives never witness firsthand. He picked up the mechanics of injection molding, blow molding, and rotocasting. He studied hair rooting and engineering design. He traveled to remote facilities along dirt roads in southern China because that was where the knowledge was.
Licenses, Acquisitions, and a Viral Plush
Jazwares built its early business through licensed entertainment properties, landing deals with franchises including Minecraft, Fortnite, and Sonic the Hedgehog. Two acquisitions expanded the company’s reach: Wicked Cool Toys in 2019 and Kellytoy in 2020. Kellytoy came with a product line that would define the next era of the business.
Squishmallows are soft, squishable plush figures, each with a name, a squishday, and a full backstory. The line spread across TikTok with remarkable speed, drawing fans including Lady Gaga and Kim Kardashian. More than 100 million Squishmallows sold in a single year, at price points ranging from $5 to $30.
Alleghany Capital Corporation became an investor in 2014 and took a majority stake in 2016. Berkshire Hathaway absorbed Jazwares through its acquisition of Alleghany in the fourth quarter of 2022, adding Zebersky’s company to one of the most scrutinized investment portfolios in the world.
Giving Back Without Fanfare
Jazwares Cares was not an afterthought. Judd Zebersky established the philanthropic program when he founded the company. It has since donated millions of toys to children’s hospitals, Title I schools, Make-A-Wish, Toys for Tots, and Ronald McDonald House. Zebersky and his family also made a $2 million personal contribution to Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital.
Zebersky stepped down as CEO on March 20, 2026, after nearly three decades. David Neustein, the company’s Chief Operating Officer for 14 years, assumed the top role on March 23, 2026. Jazwares now employs about 1,400 people and reaches consumers across more than 100 countries. Check out this page for more information.
Find more information about Judd Zebersky on https://jazwares.uk/about-us/leadership
