Judd Zebersky Steps Down After Three Decades at Jazwares
On March 20, 2026, Judd Zebersky officially stepped down as CEO of Jazwares, the company he founded in 1997 after leaving his law practice. The departure closed a chapter that began with a flight to China and ended with Jazwares operating in more than 100 countries, employing approximately 1,400 people, and owning one of the most recognizable toy brands in the world.
A Company Built on Manufacturing Knowledge
Zebersky earned a JD from the University of Miami School of Law and ran his own firm before deciding to pivot. When he went to China in 1997, he did not arrive as a businessman looking for partners. He arrived as a student. He immersed himself in factory operations, learning the production methods behind the toys he wanted to create. That depth of knowledge became a defining trait of Jazwares. “I visited toy factories throughout the south of China and immersed myself in the manufacturing, design, and engineering of toys,” he told Miami Law in 2014.
Jazwares established itself through licensed products tied to entertainment properties, then made a defining acquisition in 2020, purchasing Kellytoy and gaining control of Squishmallows. The brand, characterized by ultrasoft plush figures with names, backstories, and devoted fan communities, became a cultural force. It attracted celebrity attention from Lady Gaga to Kim Kardashian and reached consumers across the globe.
The Next Chapter
Chief Operating Officer David Neustein, who had been with Jazwares since 2012, assumed the CEO title on March 23, 2026. Judd Zebersky left behind a company with institutional recognition: TIME’s Most Influential Companies list, Fortune’s Best Workplaces in Manufacturing and Production, and Fast Company’s Best Workplaces for Innovators. Judd Zebersky philanthropic program, Jazwares Cares, had donated millions of toys through partnerships with organizations including Make-A-Wish and Toys for Tots. Read this article for additional information.
More about Judd Zebersky on https://toybook.com/jazwares-leadership-transition/
