Disney Plus

The entertainment industry has been set ablaze by news of a resignation. Kevin Mayer, who heads the Disney Corporation’s video streaming venture, has officially stepped down from his post. In a rather shocking move, Mayer will now join as the CEO of TikTok. Furthermore, he will also become the COO of the company that owns TikTok, ByteDance. Here’s a look at how the shift came to be, and what it means for the entertainment industry. 

Wheels in Motion

TikTok is an industry leader when it comes to short-form video content, but the move has shocked millions. Disney CEO, Bob Chapek released a statement yesterday, wherein he thanked Mayer for all his input and work. He also stated that Mayer had a massive impact on Disney and that he was a fantastic head to their direct-to-consumer market.

Mayer’s responsibilities at ByteDance will include overseeing the development, sales, public affairs, and moderation. The company released its own press release, wherein they stated that Mayer will lead divisions such as music, Helo, new businesses, and even gaming. Mayer will begin working at ByteDance from the 1st of June, and as CEO of TikTok, will be responsible for aiding in its stellar growth, moving forward. 

Years at Disney

Mayer will forever be known in the entertainment and media industry for being the brain behind Disney Plus. The corporation’s large streaming platform launched last November to widespread acclaim. Within such a short period, the platform has already gained over 50 million subscribers. Other than this, his other claim-to-fame include paving the way for significant acquisitions such as Pixar, Marvel, 21st Century Fox, and Lucasfilm.

Mayer, along with CEO Bob Iger, brought in a new era for Disney, through their lucrative partnerships and deals. While at Disney, Mayer was also involved with ESPN+ and the integration of Hulu, apart from his other high-profile acquisitions. Within the industry, there were already talks of Mayer taking over the mantle from Iger. However, when Iger finally made the decision in February, he chose Chapek over Mayer. Speculations have already risen, stating that this might have been the biggest reason for this sudden switch. 

Disney’s Way Ahead

Before taking over Disney, Chapek was in charge of the company’s various theme parks. Rebecca Campbell, who will now serve as the Chairman of Disney’s direct-to-customer services will replace the void left behind by Mayer. Campbell is an experienced veteran with over 23 years’ worth of experience within the industry. She served previously as the President of Disneyland Resort and oversaw their properties in California. Disney made further announcements stating that Josh D’Amaro would take over as chairman of Disney Parks. Both these new heads will also directly report to Chapek.

Role at TikTok

Mayer will face several challenges while trying to grow TikTok, in the years to come. The social media industry is one of the most competitive out there. Therefore, keeping TikTok popular alongside competitors like Facebook and Snapchat will not be easy.

In Mayer’s statement, he made it clear that he would love to take on the new challenge. He also stated that he was delighted to have gotten the opportunity to help lead their next phase of growth and development. Mayer will work on expanding the short-form video content generator across the world and improving its products and services. He also stated that he loved working for Disney and that he was very proud of the work he had done there. The opportunity presented to him by TikTok was huge, and Mayer states that he thought it was the right time to move to bigger opportunities.