Category: Jazwares

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Berkshire Hathaway’s Jazwares, a prominent global toy company, and the maker of the toy sensation Squishmallows, is reinforcing its UK leadership team by appointing Lucy Whitamore as Sales Director, UK, and Adelle Engelbrecht as Operations Director, UK.

Lucy Whitamore, who transitioned from Tesco to Jazwares in 2019, has consistently showcased her commercial acumen and talent. In her new capacity, Lucy will spearhead the UK and Ireland sales team across all Jazwares brands, driving the formulation and execution of sales strategies aligned with the company’s regional growth objectives. Lucy expressed her enthusiasm, stating, “Leading such an exceptional team is truly a privilege, and I eagerly anticipate steering our continued success and expansion in 2024.”

Adelle Engelbrecht, who joined Jazwares in 2020, has played a pivotal role in the company’s rapid growth trajectory. As Operations Director, Adelle will oversee customer operations, warehouse management, and inbound/outbound logistics teams, focusing on strategic growth initiatives and implementing process enhancements to optimize productivity and efficiency. Adelle shared her excitement, stating, “I am thrilled to extend my journey with Jazwares, leveraging past achievements alongside an outstanding team. Over the past few years, we have doubled our UK team and achieved remarkable success across our brands while fostering strong partnerships across all business domains. I am eager to continue this upward trajectory into 2024 and beyond.”

Holly Oldham, Managing Director of UK & European Distributors, lauded the promotions, stating, “As we advance on our growth trajectory in the UK, we are scaling up, and I cannot think of two individuals better suited to lead the charge than Lucy and Adelle. Both possess a fervent passion and unwavering motivation, making them ideal candidates to drive our continued success in the region.”

© 2024 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell a stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

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In a groundbreaking collaboration, global toy giant Jazwares, a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, and the company behind the beloved Squishmallows, is joining forces with international fashion brand H&M to unveil an exciting apparel and accessories line inspired by the iconic plush phenomenon.

The collection is set to debut online on December 7, with a global in-store release following on December 21. This marks the inaugural partnership between H&M and Squishmallows, propelling the plush sensation into the realm of high-fashion and solidifying its status as a premier global lifestyle brand.

“Squishmallows is loved by many kids around the world, and we are so excited to be offering a unique collection to all Squishmallows fans,” enthuses Sofia Löfstedt, Head of Creative and Design at H&M Kids.

Crafted with the signature plush softness that defines Squishmallows, the 42-piece collection caters to kids and tweens and boasts a diverse array of apparel and accessories. From cozy slippers and pajamas to trendy t-shirts, dresses, ear muffs, and hoodies, the line encapsulates the essence of the huggable Squishmallows characters.

Each fashion-forward item embodies the distinct personalities of the lovable plush toys, ensuring that the collection is as irresistibly cuddle-worthy as the Squishmallows themselves. Notably, the H&M collaboration introduces ‘Rodry,’ a yellow bearded dragon Squishmallows plush sporting an all-new look.

“Partnering with H&M, a global force in fashion, allows us to authentically translate the world of Squishmallows into stylish apparel and accessories we know consumers will love,” affirms Sam Ferguson, Senior Vice President of Licensing at Jazwares. “We are steadfast in our vision to expand Squishmallows into a full 360-degree lifestyle brand and are eager for fans to add this epic collection to their wardrobes.”

In the past year, Jazwares has strategically worked towards elevating Squishmallows into a comprehensive lifestyle brand through collaborations with top-tier partners in the realms of fashion, gaming, and various lifestyle categories. This collaboration with H&M adds to the illustrious portfolio of over 70 best-in-class licensees, positioning Squishmallows as a cultural and fashionable force to be reckoned with. As the holiday season approaches, the Squishmallows x H&M collection promises to be a must-have for fans seeking to infuse their wardrobes with the charm and playfulness that defines the Squishmallows brand.

© 2023 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell a stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

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Berkshire Hathaway’s Jazwares, a prominent global toy company, has expanded its reach by acquiring Big Balloon, Australia’s leading full-service toy distributor. With over 12 years of experience, Big Balloon has played a crucial role in the Australian toy industry, fostering both big and small brands through strategic partnerships with major and independent retailers.

Judd Zebersky, the Founder and CEO of Jazwares, emphasized the significance of the Australian market, a thriving $1.7 billion industry. The acquisition of Big Balloon is seen as a strategic investment in Jazwares’ future global growth, establishing a strong foothold in Australia. Zebersky praised Chris Loverso, Co-Founder of Big Balloon, as an excellent manager and welcomed him and his team to the Jazwares family.

Jazwares Australia is poised to make a lasting impact on the toy industry, focusing on the company’s brands and business. According to Zebersky, the team’s dedicated approach will bring value to retail partners and consumers alike. Arthur Ferreira, Senior Vice President of International Sales and Marketing, highlighted the eight-year collaboration between Jazwares and Big Balloon, expressing the intention to strengthen local relationships with global licensing partners and enhance connections with end consumers.

Chris Loverso, who will now serve as Managing Director of Jazwares Australia, emphasized the natural evolution of the partnership, citing shared cultural alignment and a mutual passion for brands. Loverso sees the collaboration as an opportunity to leverage their extensive experience in the Australian marketplace to contribute to the growth of Jazwares brands and support longstanding partners in the region. The union of the two companies as team members marks a significant step forward in delivering value and expanding their market presence in Australia.

© 2023 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell a stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

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Berkshire Hathaway, renowned for its shrewd investments and diverse portfolio, has found a jewel in Jazwares, one of the world’s fastest-growing toy companies.

This acquisition, as part of Berkshire Hathaway’s October 2022 takeover of Alleghany Corp., is proving to be a game-changer for the conglomerate, as it previously had little presence in the toys and games market. Notably, Jazwares is the creative force behind the toy sensation, Squishmallows—the number one toy in the world.

In the first nine months of 2023, the Jazwares acquisition has yielded substantial dividends for Berkshire Hathaway. The company reported revenues of an impressive $847 million, showcasing Jazwares’ significant contribution to the conglomerate’s financial performance.

Jazwares, a global toymaker with a reputation for innovation and creativity, has rapidly gained recognition in the industry. Squishmallows, the flagship product of Jazwares, have been a resounding success in the toy market. These adorable, soft, and huggable plush toys have become a phenomenon, sparking a craze among collectors and enthusiasts. The lovable characters have made their way into countless households, offering comfort and companionship, and even helping some individuals deal with stress and anxiety.

© 2023 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell a stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

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Berkshire Hathaway’s Jazwares has secured the exclusive global rights to produce figures, dolls, playsets, vehicles, plush, Squishmallows, Halloween costumes, pet costumes and accessories, everyday dress-up, role play, musical instruments, and novelty items based on the animated series Mermicorno: Starfall for all distribution channels, including mass-market, e-commerce and direct-to-consumer platforms.

Thunderbird Brands, the consumer products arm of Thunderbird Entertainment Group Inc., announced the appointment of Jazwares as global master toy licensee for Mermicorno: Starfall.

The concept of Mermicorno: Starfall is drawn from tokidoki’s hit Mermicorno characters. The first Mermicorno debuted in 2015 and the Mermicorno character family launched worldwide with collectibles, apparel, accessories and more in 2016.

The initial Mermicorno: Starfall toy line is set to launch with a limited product assortment in spring 2025, followed by a larger rollout in fall 2025.

Warner Bros. Discovery has secured exclusive rights to the series in the U.S., now in production at Thunderbird’s Atomic Cartoons, which will debut on Max in early 2025.

© 2023 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell a stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

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Berkshire Hathaway’s Jazwares, one of the world’s fastest-growing toy companies, has secured a master toy agreement with popular fashion role-playing metaverse experience Royale High for an all-new toy line including game-inspired fashion dolls set to launch fall 2024. Jazwares will also serve as a licensing conduit for Royale High to create a robust portfolio of consumer products that will bring the popular gaming world to life via a 360-degree cross-category licensing program spanning apparel, beauty, home decor, and more.

As the biggest fashion-based property in gaming with over 105 million users and 9 billion play sessions, Royale High has taken the gaming world by storm, offering players a fun and engaging virtual environment where fashion and style take over. Jazwares will seamlessly translate the Royale High gaming experience into the world of toys with a line of dolls and accessories coupled with exclusive game codes for matching virtual items. Additionally, Jazwares Costumes Division will be designing and developing costumes and fashion-forward roleplay accessories timed to the fall Halloween season.

“At Jazwares, we keep our finger on the pulse of what’s trending for kids of all ages, and it’s clear that Royale High has already made a massive impact in the gaming realm,” said Judd Karofsky, Executive Vice President, Jazwares. “We know how to translate gaming properties into off-screen products better than anyone in the industry, masterfully translating IP into toys but also creating meaningful consumer products programs. Tapping into the popularity of Royale High is expanding our portfolio into the girls’ space in a big way, and we can’t wait to introduce our new line to the community of fans.”

In the Royale High fantasy world, players attend a magical castle high school where each student is handed a treasure trove of roleplay-enhancing items, including the glittery-winged keys to their dorm, their very own personal space to decorate however they wish. Royale High is a safe space where students are free to dress in their own unique styles to express their creativity, wherever their class schedule takes them — the sky’s the limit when they have unlimited creativity at their fingertips.

“Within the virtual world of Royale High, students are given the tools to live whatever fairytale life they wish to lead; it’s as close as their most enchanted dreams, just a mere mouse click or tap away,” added Royale High’s creative lead callmehbob. “We’re excited to spread the themes of creativity, self-expression, and the promotion of play to the real world by partnering up with Jazwares. Through the use of real toys, Royale High can fuel children’s fantasy dream life in a form that they’re able to touch and hold. This is a fantastic opportunity, and we’re eager to work alongside a company that’s equally as interested in understanding what makes Royale High so magical, so they can artfully translate it into a whole new medium.”

Toymaker Jazwares, which was acquired by Berkshire Hathaway as part of its acquisition of Alleghany Corp., is the company behind the toy sensation Squishmallows.

© 2023 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell a stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.