When Jazwares acquired Kellytoy in 2020, the company added Squishmallows to a portfolio already known for licensed toys tied to Minecraft, Fortnite, and Sonic the Hedgehog. What followed was one of the more unexpected success stories in recent toy industry history and a direct result of the brand-building instincts that Jazwares founder Judd Zebersky had spent three decades developing.

Squishmallows, ultrasoft plush collectibles featuring characters with names, bios, squishdays, and backstories, detonated on TikTok and drew celebrity attention from Lady Gaga to Kim Kardashian. More than 100 million units moved in a single year, with prices ranging from $5 to $30. The brand’s appeal cut across age groups and turned a toy into a genuine cultural moment.

Built on Operational Depth

The Squishmallows phenomenon did not happen in isolation. It grew inside an organization that Judd Zebersky had built with unusual operational depth. When he left his law practice in 1997 and flew to China, he spent months learning manufacturing firsthand studying injection molding, blow molding, engineering specs, and design processes. That knowledge shaped how Jazwares hired and managed for years.

Alleghany Capital Corporation first invested in Jazwares in 2014 and took a majority stake in 2016. Both transactions preserved Zebersky’s control over daily operations. When Berkshire Hathaway acquired Alleghany in the fourth quarter of 2022, Jazwares came along with it. The company had by then grown into a global operation with distribution across more than 100 countries and a workforce of approximately 1,400 people.

Zebersky departed as CEO on March 20, 2026, with David Neustein stepping into the role three days later. The brand recognition and manufacturing discipline that Judd Zebersky built into the company will outlast his tenure and continue to shape how Jazwares competes in markets worldwide. See related link for additional information.

Find more information about Judd Zebersky https://www.jazwares.com/about-us/leadership