Judd Zebersky graduated from the University of Miami School of Law, passed the bar, and opened his own practice. The legal career that followed did not last long. Within a few years, Judd Zebersky found himself drawn toward something different, something physical and consumer-facing. He wanted to make toys.
His wife encouraged him to follow through on it. In 1997, Zebersky flew to China and began the months-long factory education that would form the operational backbone of Jazwares. He studied injection molding, blow molding, rotocasting, and hair rooting. He visited remote facilities in the south of China, traveled dirt roads, and absorbed the manufacturing process from inside the plants. That direct exposure gave him a technical foundation that set Jazwares apart from the start.
Licensing as a Foundation
Jazwares built its early catalog through licensing agreements with entertainment properties. Minecraft, Sonic the Hedgehog, and Fortnite each anchored product lines that gave the company distribution and visibility. Judd Zebersky then expanded through acquisition, adding Wicked Cool Toys in 2019 and Kellytoy in 2020. The Kellytoy deal delivered two of the most commercially valuable toy lines on the market: Pokémon and Squishmallows.
Squishmallows became the company’s signature product. The plush toys, which carry individual names, birthdays, and backstories, went viral on TikTok and attracted fans including Lady Gaga and Kim Kardashian. Over 100 million units sold in one year alone, with prices ranging from $5 to $30.
Philanthropy and Transition
Zebersky founded Jazwares Cares alongside the company itself, donating millions of toys to children’s hospitals, schools, and nonprofits including Make-A-Wish and Toys for Tots. He and his family also contributed $2 million to Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital and maintained support for Make-A-Wish Southern Florida.
He stepped down as CEO on March 20, 2026. David Neustein, Chief Operating Officer for 14 years, assumed the top role on March 23. Judd Zebersky leaves behind a company with approximately 1,400 employees and a product footprint spanning more than 100 countries. Refer to this article for related information.
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