Popular Short video app, TikTok has appointed Kevin Mayer as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). He will also serve as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of ByteDance, TikTok’s Parent Company.
Before his appointment, Kevin served as Chairman of Direct-to-Consumer & International division of The Walt Disney Company, where he led Disney’s streaming efforts. At ByteDance, He will be responsible for driving the global development of ByteDance, music, gaming, Helo, and emerging businesses enterprise.
“In his role as COO, Kevin will lead music, gaming, Helo, emerging businesses, and will serve as CEO of TikTok, leading the rapidly growing platform as it continues to build its global community of creators, users, and brands.”
He will also be overseeing corporate functions like sales, marketing, public affairs, security, moderation, and legal.
Kevin will resume at ByteDance on June 1st, 2020.
Meet Kevin Mayer
Kevin Mayer is an American businessman with more than 25 years of experience in business strategy and development.
He has a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and a master of science degree from San Diego State University. He also has a master of business administration (MBA) from Harvard Business School.
Kevin started his career at The Walt Disney Company in 1993. He handled business strategy and development for Disney’s Internet and television businesses worldwide. He later rose to become the executive vice president of Disney Internet group before he left in 2000.
After he left Disney, he served as Chief Executive Officer of Playboy.com from 2000 to December 2001. He then joined L.E.K. Consulting LLC as a partner and head of the global media and entertainment practice in February 2002.
In 2005, Kevin rejoined Disney as Executive Vice President, Corporate Strategy, Business Development, and Technology. During his tenure at Disney, he led the development of Disney Plus, the company’s streaming service that launched in November.
He was also involved in Disney’s five major acquisitions; Pixar, Lucasfilm, Marvel Studios, Club Penguin and 21st Century Fox. Prior to joining TikTok, Kevin held the position of the chairman of Walt Disney Direct-to-Consumer & International, which included Disney’s streaming businesses, international channels, ad sales and distribution.
In his new role at TikTok, Kevin will leverage the vast experience he has gathered over the years to succeed in the tough job of leading TikTok as well as keeping pace with big competitors like Facebook, YouTube and Snapchat.
“Like everyone else, I’ve been impressed watching the company build something incredibly rare in TikTok – a creative, positive online global community – and I’m excited to help lead the next phase of ByteDance’s journey as the company continues to expand its breadth of products across every region of the world.”
Kevin Mayer, CEO of TikTok
With a seasoned and competent businessman like Kevin at the reigns of operation at TikTok, the video platform is poised to keep hitting milestones and expanding its footprints across the world.
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