How Judd Zebersky Turned Jazwares Into a Global Toy Brand
Few toy company founders can claim they personally learned how injection molding works on a factory floor in rural China. Judd Zebersky can. That hands-on foundation became the operating philosophy of Jazwares, the company he built over nearly three decades before stepping down as CEO in March 2026.
Licensing Deals and Smart Acquisitions
Jazwares made its name early through licensed merchandise, partnering with entertainment properties that carried built-in audiences. Deals covering Minecraft, Fortnite, and Sonic the Hedgehog gave the company shelf space at major retailers and relationships with some of the world’s most watched entertainment franchises. The licensed model was reliable, but Zebersky understood that proprietary brands offered a different kind of upside.
The acquisitions of Wicked Cool Toys in 2019 and Kellytoy in 2020 reflected that thinking. Kellytoy arrived with Squishmallows, a line of plush toys that Jazwares would turn into one of the defining toy phenomena of the early 2020s. The brand’s combination of soft materials, distinctive round shapes, and character-driven marketing connected with collectors and casual buyers alike. Celebrity endorsements, organic social media momentum, and retail availability at mass-market chains drove sales past 100 million units in a single year.
Recognition and a Lasting Philanthropic Commitment
The company’s growth attracted external recognition. TIME named Jazwares to its Most Influential Companies list. Fast Company awarded it a Best Workplaces for Innovators designation. Fortune recognized the company for best workplaces in manufacturing and production. Zebersky personally received the South Florida Business Journal’s Ultimate CEOs honor in 2024.
Judd Zebersky also established Jazwares Cares at the company’s founding, a philanthropic arm that has donated millions of toys and maintained partnerships with Make-A-Wish, Toys for Tots, Ronald McDonald House, children’s hospitals, and Title I schools. The Zebersky family separately contributed two million dollars to Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital. When Zebersky departed the CEO role, Jazwares employed roughly 1,400 people across a distribution network spanning more than 100 countries. Read this article for additional information.
Learn more about Judd Zebersky on https://www.linkedin.com/posts/university-of-miami-school-of-law_judd-and-laura-zebersky-jd-93-toymakers-activity-7249433715506843648-E0Af