Jeremy Padawer

Jeremy Padawer (born October 26, 1973) is an American businessman, founder, animated television producer, and broadly recognized toy industry executive and entrepreneur. Padawer serves as Chief Brand Officer of Jazwares, a Berkshire Hathaway company. Prior to selling to Berkshire Hathaway (2022),[1] Padawer's toy company Wicked Cool Toys was acquired by Jazwares and parent company Alleghany Corporation in 2019.[2]

Jeremy Padawer
Born (1973-10-26) October 26, 1973
Germantown, Tennessee, US
NationalityAmerican
EducationGermantown High School
Alma materUniversity of Texas at Austin (BA)
University of Tennessee (JD)
Vanderbilt University (MBA)
Occupation(s)Businessman, entrepreneur, founder, television producer, executive
Years active1996–present
Websitewww.jeremy.com

Padawer co-created and executive produced the Nickelodeon animated series Monsuno which ran for 65 episodes from 2012-2015.

Early career

In 1996, Padawer developed a network of transactional toy and gaming websites. Padawer "gamed" the Yahoo search engine using simple naming strategies. By naming each one of his collectible websites starting with two A's, Padawer's sites would come up first in search. Advertisers included Disney, Onsale.com, and Amazon.com.[3] Most notably, Newsweek followed Padawer's tracking of the plunge in Beanie Baby valuations in 1998–1999 on Padawer's AbsoluteBeanies.com.[4]

Padawer is an early domain name investor. Padawer's sale of www.act.com to Symantec stands as one of the largest domain name transactions in history.[5] Padawer purchased hundreds of generic .com domain names from 1996-2000 including his own first name (Jeremy.com), his city (PacificPalisades.com). Padawer utilized direct navigation traffic, aggregating hits for advertising dollars.

In addition, Padawer developed DomainAppraiser.com, a site that advised thousands of domain name holders on valuation (1999–2001), and Schmuck.com, an online monthly with material by amateur humorists and users (1998–2000).[6][7]

Toy business

Mattel (2001-2003)

In 2001, Mattel recruited Padawer out of Vanderbilt University's MBA program.[3] Padawer managed Hotwheels, Nickelodeon brands, and a relaunch of Masters of the Universe.[7]

Jakks Pacific (2003-2013)

In 2003, Padawer moved to Jakks Pacific, where he headed up boys' entertainment brands (2003-2009) before becoming EVP / GM of Jakks Malibu, the largest business unit at Jakks Pacific (2010-2013). Padawer reinvented the WWE toy line and over the next 10 years launched 30+ brands into the mass marketplace, including Pokémon, Dragonball Z, Club Penguin, UFC, Neopets, SpongeBob SquarePants, Disney Princess, Winx Club, Nintendo, Disney's Fairies, the Rocky franchise, Phineas & Ferb.[7], and more.

Padawer was responsible for brand, marketing, product development, business development, and entertainment content development across all JAKKS Malibu business unit categories.[8]

Wicked Cool Toys / Jazwares (2013-PRESENT)

In 2013, Padawer entered into a partnership in start-up Wicked Cool Toys as Co-CEO / President and Partner.[9]

In October 2019, Jazwares, a subsidiary of Alleghany Capital Corporation (Y - NYSE), acquired Wicked Cool Toys.[18]

In April 2020, Jazwares, with Padawer as equity partner, acquired KellyToy which includes the global phenomenon Squishmallows.[19]

In October 2022, Jazwares / Alleghany Capital was acquired by Berkshire Hathaway.[20]

Padawer remained on as Chief Brand Officer at Jazwares, a top 5 toy company.[21]

Entertainment development

Padawer is the Co-creator and Executive Producer of the American-Japanese animated series Monsuno. The show premiered in the United States on February 23, 2012, on Nickelodeon's sister channel, Nicktoons,[22][23] and on TV Tokyo in Japan in October 2012.[24]

Padawer assembled a global strategic partnership between Jakks Pacific, Nickelodeon, Topps, Michael Eisner, and Fremantle Media.[3]

Monsuno ran for 65 episodes (2012-2015) and is currently supported in syndication around the world.

Philanthropy

In 2010, Padawer was inducted into the ToyFare Magazine hall of fame.[25][26]

Padawer currently serves on the Toy Industry Association Board of Directors (2023).[27]

Padawer currently serves on Vanderbilt University's business school Alumni Board of Directors (2023).[28]

References
  1. Zahn, James (March 23, 2022). "Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway to Acquire Jazwares Owner Alleghany Capital". The Toy Book. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
  2. Media, aNb (October 2, 2019). "Jazwares Acquires Wicked Cool Toys". aNb Media, Inc. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
  3. "The Toy Maker Torchbearer (8 August 2012)". Archived from the original on January 3, 2013. Retrieved September 20, 2012.
  4. Time To Short Beanies?
  5. Owen School student makes fortune selling web address Nashville Post (26 July 2000)
  6. Better reserve that domain name Nashville Post (28 January 2000)
  7. Who Is Jeremy?
  8. Jakks Promotes Padawer to EVP of Marketing
  9. "Jeremy Padawer joins Wicked Cool Toys as co-president". Retrieved July 24, 2023.
  10. "Wild Kratts gets Wicked Cool toy line". Retrieved August 5, 2023.
  11. Toys, Wicked Cool. "Cabbage Patch Kids® Adopt Wicked Cool Toys". www.prnewswire.com. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
  12. Toys, Wicked Cool. "Wicked Cool Toys To Introduce Girl Scouts Cookie Oven and Role-play Toys Based on Iconic Girls' Brand". www.prnewswire.com. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
  13. Toys, Wicked Cool (February 1, 2016). "Wicked Cool Toys Teams With Alchemy II for Global Relaunch of the Teddy Ruxpin Brand and Franchise". GlobeNewswire News Room. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
  14. "The Pokémon Company International Names Wicked Cool Toys as Master Toy Licensee". www.businesswire.com. May 8, 2017. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
  15. "Wicked Cool Toys Inks 'Halo Infinite' Agreement | License Global". www.licenseglobal.com. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
  16. "Jazwares & All Elite Wrestling Are Unrivaled!". www.prnewswire.com. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
  17. "Wicked Cool Toys to bring back Micro Machines - Mojo Nation". June 4, 2019. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
  18. "Jazwares acquires Wicked Cool Toys". Toy World Magazine. October 1, 2019. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
  19. Rachael (April 2, 2020). "Jazwares acquires Kellytoy". Toy World Magazine. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
  20. "Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway completes $11.6B acquisition of insurer Alleghany". Associated Press. October 19, 2022. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
  21. Chojnacki, Robert (February 2, 2022). "The NPD Group Presents Tenth Annual Toy Industry Performance Awards". The NPD Group. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
  22. U.S. Nicktoons to Air Monsuno, Jakks Pacific to Sell Toys
  23. Monsuno To Hit Nicktoons
  24. "10月TVアニメ放送開始「モンスーノ」 東京おもちゃショーで玩具も披露 – 10498 – | アニメ！アニメ！". Animeanime.jp. Retrieved September 20, 2012.
  25. "The industry guests, including this year's ToyFare Hall of Fame Inductees Georg Brewer of DC Direct, Jeremy Padawer of Jakks Pacific and Robert Tonner of Tonner Doll!". Archived from the original on January 30, 2013. Retrieved September 20, 2012.
  26. Jeremy Padawer ToyFare Hall of Fame Induction Video
  27. Anita (March 13, 2023). "Toy Association AGM welcomes new board members". Toy World Magazine. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
  28. "Alumni Board". Vanderbilt Business School. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
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