In 2024, the South Florida Business Journal named Judd Zebersky among its Ultimate CEOs honorees, a recognition that reflected both the scale of Jazwares and the unconventional path he took to build it. Zebersky had already appeared on The Business Report’s Top 50 Entrepreneurs list in 2023, and the company he led had earned spots on lists from TIME, Fast Company, and Fortune.

A Company That Earned Its Credentials

Jazwares’ recognition across multiple independent rankings was not the product of one breakthrough moment. It accumulated over decades. TIME named Jazwares to its Most Influential Companies list. Fast Company awarded it a Best Workplaces for Innovators designation. Fortune included it in Best Workplaces in Manufacturing and Production. Each honor pointed to different facets of the company Judd Zebersky built: cultural relevance, internal culture, and operational excellence. The company grew to approximately 1,400 employees and distributed products across more than 100 countries.

Zebersky’s background was legal, not commercial. He earned his JD from the University of Miami School of Law, practiced law, and then made the decision to build something in consumer products. He flew to China in 1997 and spent months learning toy manufacturing by walking factory floors, studying rotocasting, blow molding, injection molding, hair rooting, and design processes. The knowledge shaped how he built Jazwares from its earliest stages. Judd Zebersky pursued licensing deals with major entertainment properties, including Minecraft, Fortnite, and Sonic the Hedgehog, before expanding through acquisition.

Squishmallows and the Kellytoy Deal

The 2020 acquisition of Kellytoy brought Squishmallows to Jazwares. The plush toy line features characters with individual names, birthdays, and backstories, a format that resonated with collectors and casual buyers alike. TikTok amplified demand, and celebrities including Lady Gaga and Kim Kardashian publicly embraced the brand. More than 100 million units sold in a single year. Alleghany Capital Corporation became an investor in 2014, took a majority stake in 2016, and was later acquired by Berkshire Hathaway in 2022. Judd Zebersky officially departed on March 20, 2026, with COO David Neustein assuming the CEO role three days later. See related link for additional information.

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