Jazwares under Judd Zebersky became known for more than toy sales. From the company’s earliest days, Zebersky embedded a giving program into its structure. Jazwares Cares, established at the company’s founding, has donated millions of toys and built partnerships with children’s hospitals, Title I schools, and organizations including Make-A-Wish, Toys for Tots, and Ronald McDonald House.
Philanthropy at the Core
The Zebersky family’s personal contributions matched the company’s philanthropic commitments. He and his wife donated $2 million to Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital and have been consistent supporters of Make-A-Wish Southern Florida. Zebersky’s departure from Jazwares on March 20, 2026, closed a chapter for both the company and its charitable operations, though the foundations he built are part of its institutional character.
Judd Zebersky stepped down after nearly 30 years as CEO. David Neustein, who served as Chief Operating Officer for 14 years, assumed the role on March 23, 2026. The company now employs roughly 1,400 people and ships products to more than 100 countries.
How Jazwares Got Here
The path to that scale began when Judd Zebersky, a JD-holder from the University of Miami School of Law, left his law practice and flew to China. He spent months learning injection molding, blow molding, rotocasting, and hair rooting directly from factory workers in southern China’s manufacturing centers.
Jazwares started with licensed properties tied to Minecraft, Sonic the Hedgehog, and Fortnite, then expanded through acquisitions, including Wicked Cool Toys in 2019 and Kellytoy in 2020. Kellytoy brought Squishmallows into the portfolio, and the plush line quickly became one of the company’s most prominent products. Celebrity fans including Lady Gaga and Kim Kardashian boosted its visibility on TikTok, and more than 100 million units sold in a single year. Alleghany Capital Corporation invested beginning in 2014 and took a majority stake in 2016. Berkshire Hathaway assumed ownership through its Q4 2022 purchase of Alleghany. Refer to this article to learn more.
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