May 2, 2025, the Berkshire Hathaway Annual Shareholders Meeting in Omaha, Nebraska—was electric. This year, squishmallows stole the show, making the main hall feel like a lively, colorful marketplace. From Tots’ tops to all of your beloved plush toys, it’s been a roaring success! You can now buy them with many other unique products from Berkshire Hathaway’s eclectic collection of companies.
The Squishmallows display was one of the most consistently packed attractions at the show. It was held at the CHI Health Center, which is home to over 20,000 square feet of showroom floor. Guests experienced a panty-wetting performance from elasticated form-fillers. These figures were based on archetypal characters such as Warren Buffett and the late Charlie Munger. No wonder this unprecedented marketing maneuver blew everyone’s minds. That resulted in more than 1,000 of these cuddly dolls selling out each hour of the event.
That’s one of the reasons why in 2022, Squishmallows had breakout success. A stunning 100 million units sold at prices between $5 and $30. The success story that had grown out of the Berkshire Bazaar of Bargains. There, Squishmallows became one of the most sought after goods on the shelves. In addition to the Squishmallows, other Berkshire Hathaway subsidiary products from Brooks Running to See’s Candies were available.
The announcement of a new, limited-edition character called “Omaha” only added to that enthusiasm. This character charmed convention-goers wishing to celebrate their trip in style. Cartoon likenesses of Buffett and Munger on the special edition pillowcases would prove to be just the icing on the cake.
One of the coolest aspects of the Squishmallow display was the huge claw machine. It made shopping so much more delightful! Attendees lined up in great anticipation for their chance to win one of the adorable plush toys. Their joy kept the celebratory atmosphere of the bazaar in high spirits.
In late 2022, Berkshire Hathaway purchased Jazwares when it purchased Alleghany. This strategic marketing play set the conglomerate up well to capitalize on the emergent popularity of Squishmallows. Berkshire Hathaway was able to make this strategic acquisition and include some of these hard-to-find toys as part of their annual meeting offerings.
The thrill and enthusiasm over the Squishmallows display just goes to prove how passionate fans are for this ever-growing brand. Beyond that, it’s a testament to Berkshire Hathaway’s focus on providing high-quality, relevant products that engage directly with their shareholders. That nostalgia for both Buffett and Munger, plus the whimsy of playful collectibles made for an experience that so many attendees treasured.
Leave a Reply