Judd Zebersky did not come to the toy industry through a conventional path. He earned a JD from the University of Miami School of Law, launched his own law practice, and then walked away from it. In 1997, he boarded a flight to China with no manufacturing background and spent months embedded in factories, learning how toys were actually made.
From Factory Floor to Corner Office
He did not observe from a distance. Judd Zebersky learned injection molding, blow molding, and rotocasting techniques firsthand. He studied hair rooting methods, design processes, and engineering specifications, gaining operational knowledge that would shape how Jazwares hired and grew for decades.
“I went to remote places in China on dirt roads where entire families get around on a single motorcycle,” Zebersky said in a 2014 interview with Miami Law. “I visited toy factories throughout the south of China and immersed myself in the manufacturing, design, and engineering of toys.”
The company grew methodically. Jazwares first established itself through licensed products, forging partnerships with franchises including Minecraft, Sonic the Hedgehog, and Fortnite. Acquisitions followed: Wicked Cool Toys in 2019 and Kellytoy in 2020. The Kellytoy deal brought Pokémon and Squishmallows into the portfolio.
Squishmallows changed everything. The ultrasoft, character-driven plush toys exploded on TikTok, attracted celebrity fans from Lady Gaga to Kim Kardashian, and sold more than 100 million units in a single year. Individual items retail between $5 and $30.
Scaling the Business
Alleghany Capital Corporation took an initial stake in Jazwares in 2014 and a majority interest in 2016. Berkshire Hathaway inherited the relationship through its acquisition of Alleghany in late 2022. Through each ownership transition, Zebersky retained control over daily operations.
By the time of his departure on March 20, 2026, Jazwares employed approximately 1,400 people and distributed products in more than 100 countries. Chief Operating Officer David Neustein assumed the CEO position on March 23. Judd Zebersky’s legacy includes recognition on TIME’s Most Influential Companies list, the South Florida Business Journal’s Ultimate CEOs designation in 2024, and Jazwares Cares, the philanthropy he founded at the company’s inception. Refer to this article for more information.
Learn more about Judd Zebersky on https://www.jazwares.com/about-us/leadership