In 1996, Padawer developed a network of transactional toy and gaming websites. Advertisers included Disney, Onsale.com, and Amazon.com. Most notably, Newsweek followed Padawer's tracking of the plunge in Beanie Baby valuations in 1998–1999 on Padawer's AbsoluteBeanies.com. 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. In addition, Padawer developed DomainAppraiser.com, a site that advised thousands of domain name holders on valuation and Schmuck.com, an online monthly with material by amateur humorists and users.
Toy business
In 2001, Mattel recruited Padawer out of Vanderbilt University's MBA program. Padawer managed Hotwheels, Nickelodeon, and a relaunch of Masters of the Universe. In 2003, Padawer moved to Jakks Pacific where he headed up boy's entertainment brands. Padawer reinvented the WWE toy line and launched over 25 brands into the mass marketplace including Pokémon, Dragonball Z, Club Penguin, UFC, Neopets, SpongeBob SquarePants, Phineas & Ferb. Padawer was the former executive vice president and general manager of Jakks Malibu, the largest unit at Jakks Pacific. Padawer was responsible for product development, marketing, and entertainment content development across all JAKKS Malibu business unit categories. In April 2013, Padawer joined Wicked Cool Toys as its Co-President and partner. In May 2017, The Pokémon Company International announced it had become a strategic investor in Wicked Cool Toys and granted Wicked Cool Toys the global Pokémon toy license outside of Asia. In October 2019, Jazwares, a subsidiary of Alleghany Capital Corporation acquired Wicked Cool Toys. The combined company develops, manufactures, markets toys and collectibles globally for Pokémon, Roblox, Fortnite, Peppa Pig, Cabbage Patch Kids, Black Pink, Blippi, Cocomelon, AEW, UFC, Halo, Squishmallows and more.
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. Global launch staggers in over 40 countries between Summer 2012 and Spring 2013. In addition to co-creating and executive producer duties, he also assembled a global strategic partnership between Jakks Pacific, Nickelodeon, Topps, Michael Eisner, and Fremantle Media.
