Jazwares

Jazwares was founded in Sunrise, Florida in 1997 by Judd Zebersky, who left his practicing law career to start the company.{{Cite web |last=Meléndez |first=Mel |date=June 30, 2023 |title=Squishmallows: For the child in all of us |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/southflorida/news/2023/06/30/jazwares-for-the-child-in-you.html |access-date=2023-09-18 |website=South Florida Business Journal}} Zebersky spent six months visiting factories in China and learning the toy manufacturing process before starting Jazwares, after his wife told him to pursue his dream of "making toys." His wife, Laura Zebersky, also a lawyer, joined in 2005 after selling her practice and, as of September 2023, serves as the company's president and chief commercial officer.{{Cite web |last=Mott |first=Filip De |title=Warren Buffett says the married couple behind the maker of Squishmallows are 'ideal Berkshire managers' |url=https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/warren-buffett-squishmallows-jazwares-berkshire-hathaway-managers-tiktok-charlie-munger-2023-5 |access-date=2023-09-18 |website=Markets Insider |language=en-US}} The two met in University of Miami School of Law in 1990.{{Cite news |last=Stempel |first=Jonathan |date=2023-05-14 |title=How TikTok sensation Squishmallows found Warren Buffett |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/how-tiktok-sensation-squishmallows-found-warren-buffett-2023-05-13/ |access-date=2023-10-09}}

The company launched its first product, oversized plastic cups called Big Sippers, in 1998. The novelty cups were molded to resemble WWE wrestlers and characters from the animated TV series The Simpsons and Pokémon.{{Cite news |title=Jazwares celebrating 25 years of innovation and play |volume=13 |pages=68–69 |issue=Spring |url=https://issuu.com/popinsider/docs/spring22}} Since then, the company has focused heavily on licensing entertainment brands for toys, eventually moving to include video games and YouTubers.{{Cite web |last=Sheridan |first=Victoria |date=2020-02-21 |title=Company Profile: Jazwares |url=https://www.anbmedia.com/features/2020/02/company-profile-jazwares/ |access-date=2023-10-11 |website=aNb Media, Inc. |language=en-US}}

In 2008, Jazwares acquired the license to Sega's video game mascot Sonic The Hedgehog and used that license to make action figures and stuffed toys.{{Cite web |last=Amaro |first=Joe |date=2010-06-06 |title=SEGA America Blog {{!}} Joe Amaro from Jazwares Answers Your Questions |url=http://blogs.sega.com/usa/2010/06/01/joe-amaro-from-jazwares-answers-your-questions/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100606051157/http://blogs.sega.com/usa/2010/06/01/joe-amaro-from-jazwares-answers-your-questions/ |archive-date=June 6, 2010 |access-date=2023-09-18 |website=Sega Blog}} Eight years after the rights to the Sonic license lapsed in 2014, a Sonic Squishmallow was released in December 2022.{{Cite web |last=Lada |first=Jenni |date=2022-12-24 |title=Sonic the Hedgehog Squishmallows Debut |url=https://www.siliconera.com/sonic-the-hedgehog-squishmallows-debut-plush-stuffed-animal/ |access-date=2023-09-18 |website=Siliconera |language=en-US}} In April 2013, video game developer Mojang Studios appointed Jazwares as its license partner for its game Minecraft. Jazwares released its first line of action figures, plush toys and paper craft items in December 2013.{{Cite web |last=Tach |first=Dave |date=2013-04-19 |title=Mojang and Jazwares team up to build MInecraft toys |url=https://www.polygon.com/2013/4/19/4242674/minecraft-toys-jazwares |access-date=2023-09-19 |website=Polygon |language=en-US}}

In July 2014, Alleghany Corporation completed a minority equity investment in Jazwares.{{Cite web |last=Velasquez |first=Alexi |date=2014-08-05 |title=Alleghany Capital Corporation Invests in Jazwares |url=https://toybook.com/alleghany-capital-corporation-invests-in-jazwares/ |access-date=2024-01-07 |website=The Toy Book |language=en-US}}  A second Alleghany Corporation equity investment was closed in April 2016, which led to majority stake in Jazwares.{{Cite web |last=Spoehel |first=Jay |date=2022-10-19 |title=Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway completes $11.6B acquisition of insurer Alleghany |url=https://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/warren-buffets-berkshire-hathaway-completes-11-6b-acquisition-insurer-alleghany |access-date=2023-09-19 |website=Associated Press |language=en-US}} It is one of eight portfolio companies Alleghany owns outside of the insurance industry.{{Cite web |last=Zahn |first=James |date=2022-03-23 |title=Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway to Acquire Jazwares Owner Alleghany Capital |url=https://toybook.com/warren-buffetts-berkshire-hathaway-to-acquire-jazwares-owner-alleghany-capital/ |access-date=2023-10-11 |website=The Toy Book |language=en-US}}

In 2017, Jazwares partnered with Hasbro and started releasing Nerf-branded products, such as targets and sports equipment.{{Cite news |last=Howell |first=Madeleine |date=2017-11-08 |title=Revealed: the 12 'must-have' toys for Christmas 2017 |language=en-GB |work=The Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/christmas/0/12-must-have-toys-christmas/ |access-date=2023-09-19 |issn=0307-1235}}

In July 2018, Jazwares partnered with video game developer Epic Games to create licensed toys based on its online game Fortnite.{{Cite web |last=Foster |first=Elizabeth |date=July 20, 2018 |title=Jazwares to launch Fortnite-inspired toy line |url=https://kidscreen.com/2018/07/20/jazwares-to-launch-fortnite-inspired-toy-line/ |access-date=2023-09-24}} That partnership was renewed in 2022, with Jazwares as the exclusive producer of 2" and 4" action figures for the game.

In October 2019, Jazwares acquired Wicked Cool Toys, which focused on licensed toys from brands such as Pokémon, Cabbage Patch Kids, and Tyler Blevins' Ninja. In 2019, the company also announced a partnership with YouTube children's entertainer Blippi.

In February 2020, the K-pop band BLACKPINK announced a collaboration with Jazwares to create dolls in their likenesses.{{Cite web |last=Pangan |first=Karen |date=Feb 23, 2020 |title=BLINKS, Rise! BLACKPINK Members Are Getting Their Very Own Dolls |url=https://www.cosmo.ph/entertainment/blackpink-members-are-getting-dolls-a989-20200223 |website=Cosmopolitan}} In April 2020, Jazwares acquired toymaker Kellytoy, which had created the Squishmallows brand in 2017.{{Cite web |last=Li |first=Yun |date=2023-07-02 |title=100 million Squishmallows sold in a year — How the toy sensation joined Warren Buffett's conglomerate |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2023/07/02/how-toy-sensation-squishmallows-joined-warren-buffetts-conglomerate.html |access-date=2023-09-27 |website=CNBC |language=en}} That followed a partnership with Kellytoy that started in February 2019 to promote Jazwares' Russ Berrie brand.{{Cite web |last=Zahn |first=James |date=2019-02-15 |title=Jazwares, Kellytoy Team for Russ Berrie Worldwide |url=https://toybook.com/jazwares-kellytoy-team-for-russ-berrie-worldwide-distribution/ |access-date=2023-09-27 |website=The Toy Book |language=en-US}}

In 2021, Jazwares began a costume division, starting with costumes and accessories based on Marvel Comics superhero characters, which were released in North America.{{Cite web |last=Zahn |first=James |date=2021-04-20 |title=Jazwares Enters the Costume Category with Marvel Deal |url=https://toybook.com/jazwares-enters-the-costume-category-with-marvel-deal/ |access-date=2023-09-27 |website=The Toy Book |language=en-US}} In January 2023, Jazwares signed an agreement with grocery store chain Krogers to have the chain sell costumes in their retail locations.{{Cite web |last=Pelletier |first=Ashley |date=2023-01-30 |title=Kroeger, Jazwares Team Up for Halloween |url=https://toybook.com/kroeger-jazwares-halloween-costume-licensing/ |access-date=2023-09-27 |website=The Toy Book |language=en-US}} In May 2021, Jazwares launched action figures based on the video game Halo via a stop-motion video using the action figures on the Halo YouTube channel.{{Cite web |last=Edwards |first=Trevor |date=2021-05-04 |title=Halo Releases 'World of Halo' Stop-Motion Action Figure Short |url=https://gamerant.com/world-of-halo-stop-motion-action-figure-video/ |access-date=2023-09-27 |website=Game Rant |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Thompson |first=Luke Y. |date=2020-08-03 |title=Jazwares Unveil Their First Halo Action Figures |url=https://www.superherohype.com/geek-culture/484534-jazwares-unveil-their-first-halo-action-figures |access-date=2023-09-28 |website=Comic Book Movies and Superhero Movie News - SuperHeroHype |language=en-US}}

In March 2022, Berkshire Hathaway purchased Alleghany. Jazwares commissioned Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger Squishmallows to commemorate Jazwares' appearance as a portfolio company at the Berkshire Hathaway annual shareholders festival. The Squishmallows later appeared on auction site eBay for $450.{{Cite web |last=Devor |first=Nick |title=Who Needs Berkshire Stock When You Can Buy Warren Buffett Squishmallows? |url=https://www.barrons.com/articles/berkshire-hathaway-warren-buffett-charlie-munger-squishmallows-ea76f882 |access-date=2023-11-06 |website=barrons |language=en-US}} In a 2023 interview, the Zeberskys said they are working closely with Buffett successor Greg Abel.

In May 2023, Jazwares announced the move of its headquarters to a new building in Plantation on SW 6th Court, after more than 25 years in nearby Sunrise on Shotgun Road along the southwest corner of the Sawgrass Interchange.{{Cite web |title=Mayor Sortal's Plantation Update 05.03.23 |url=https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/FLPLANTATION/bulletins/35813f2 |access-date=2024-07-13 |website=Plantation, Florida |language=en}}

In June 2023, Jazwares announced a partnership with fast food restaurant chain McDonald's to produce Squishmallows Happy Meal toys.{{Cite web |last=Watson |first=Cole |date=June 7, 2023 |title=Market Moves |url=https://kidscreen.com/2023/06/07/market-moves-8/ |access-date=2023-09-28}}

Jazwares acquisitions include First Act,{{Cite web |last=Foster |first=Elizabeth |title=Jazwares acquires instrument maker First Act |url=https://kidscreen.com/2016/07/07/jazwares-acquires-instrument-maker-first-act/ |access-date=2023-09-28}} Russ Berrie,{{Cite web |last=Foster |first=Elizabeth |title=Jazwares acquires Russ Berrie, Applause brands |url=https://kidscreen.com/2018/05/29/jazwares-acquires-russ-berrie-applause-brands/ |access-date=2023-09-28}} Zag Toys,{{Cite web |date=2018-02-23 |title=Alleghany Capital Corporation Announces @Jazwares ' Acquisition Of Zag Toys |url=http://www.actionfigureinsider.com/alleghany-capital-corporation-announces-jazwares-acquisition-of-zag-toys/ |access-date=2023-09-28 |website=Action Figure Insider |language=en}} Wicked Cool Toys and Kellytoy.{{Cite web |date=2020-04-03 |title=Alleghany's Unit Closes Buyout of Squishmallows Owner Kellytoy |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/alleghanys-unit-closes-buyout-squishmallows-152103514.html |access-date=2023-09-28 |website=Yahoo Finance |language=en-US}}

Jazwares offers product lines for various age groups and interests, including action figures, plush toys, collectibles, role-playing accessories and musical instruments. Examples include BumBumz,{{Cite web |last= |date=2023-08-08 |title=Exclusive: Jazwares talks Squishmallows and more |url=https://toyworldmag.co.uk/exclusive-jazwares-talks-squishmallows-and-more/ |access-date=2023-09-29 |website=Toy World Magazine {{!}} The business magazine with a passion for toys |language=en-GB}} Big Fat Yarn,{{Cite web |last= |first= |title='The View' shares 2022's hottest toys and must-haves for the holidays |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/view-shares-2022s-hottest-toys-haves-holidays/story?id=95221943 |access-date=2023-09-29 |website=ABC News |language=en}} Living on the Veg, CoComelon and Micro Machines. The company has engaged in partnerships with entertainment and media properties and has developed products based on licensing fictional characters from popular franchises such as Star Wars, Pokémon, Marvel, Halo, All Elite Wrestling, Fortnite, and Five Nights at Freddy's.

In 2018, Jazwares partnered with an online game platform and creator Roblox to create toys based games, characters, and developers in the Roblox universe, such as Roblox action figures.{{Cite web |last=McCumbers |first=Alex |date=2022-01-31 |title=Our Favorite Action Figures for Play and Display |url=https://www.popularmechanics.com/culture/tv/g38940305/best-action-figures/ |access-date=2023-09-29 |website=Popular Mechanics |language=en-US}} It was Roblox’s first foray into merchandising. In May 2022, Jazwares entered a licensing agreement with Uplift Games for its Role-playing video game Adopt Me!, which was developed for and played on the Roblox platform.{{Cite web |last=Canela |first=Annabelle |date=2022-05-19 |title=Jazwares Enters Long-term Global Licensing Agreement with Uplift Games |url=https://toybook.com/jazwares-enters-icensing-agreement-with-uplift-games/ |access-date=2023-09-29 |website=The Toy Book |language=en-US}} In June 2023, Jazwares announced a collaboration with Roblox game developers to launch “DevSeries,” which would produce toys and other consumer products based on popular Roblox games.{{Cite web |last=Patterson |first=Madison |date=2023-08-29 |title=Jazwares' DevSeries Collection Brings Virtual Roblox Games to the Toy Box |url=https://thetoyinsider.com/jazwares-devseries-collection-review/ |access-date=2023-09-29 |website=The Toy Insider |language=en-US}}

Jazwares has received awards including the "Vendor of the Year" award by Toys "R" Us,{{Cite web |title=Toys 'R' Us Awards Jazwares {{!}} License Global |url=https://www.licenseglobal.com/industry-news/toys-r-us-awards-jazwares |access-date=2023-09-29 |website=www.licenseglobal.com}} the 2022 Good Housekeeping Best Toy Award (for Big Fat Yarn Plush Décor Kit and First Act Roll Up Drum Pad), and the annual Kidscreen Hot50 list.  Squishmallows has won several awards including the Toy Association's overall Toy of the Year award, Plush Toy of the Year, License of the Year, and People’s Choice.{{Cite web |last=Zahn |first=James |date=2022-02-18 |title=The Toy Foundation Crowns 2022 Toy of the Year (TOTY) Award Winners |url=https://toybook.com/2022-toy-of-the-year-toty-award-winners/ |access-date=2023-09-29 |website=The Toy Book |language=en-US}}

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Category:Toy companies of the United States

Category:Companies based in Florida

Category:Berkshire Hathaway

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