In the year 2020 things don’t go to plan. For both Kevin Mayer and ByteDance’s TikTok. Kevin Mayer started the year as Wall Street’s pick to be Bob Iger’s successor. ByteDance thought they were on their way to world domination despite realistic security concerns. Along the way, ByteDance and Kevin Mayer came together but it was a short marriage. It’s now looking like ByteDance will sell its TikTok operations to an American company like Microsoft (who may make a joint bid with Walmart) or Oracle.
President Trump issued an executive order on August 6 banning transactions with Beijing’s ByteDance which owns TikTok. The United States has been battling with TikTok for a while due to its unethical practices and major security concerns. Many government officials, including Vice President Joe Biden’s campaign team, don’t have the TikTok app on their phones. The hiring of Kevin Mayer was specifically done to ease the government’s concerns but that strategy wasn’t enough for President Trump and the government.
“In recent weeks, as the political environment has sharply changed, I have done significant reflection on what the corporate structural changes will require, and what it means for the global role I signed up for,” Mayer wrote. “Against this backdrop, and as we expect to reach a resolution very soon, it is with a heavy heart that I wanted to let you all know that I have decided to leave the company.”
So, basically in Mayer’s letter to his employees it basically states that a move with TikTok is coming soon and that his role as CEO probably would be affected if TikTok is acquired by Microsoft/Walmart or Oracle.
Vanessa Papas, general manager of TikTok North America, Australia, and New Zealand is interim CEO.
Mayer had a good career at Disney before joining the social media app which became a worldwide phenomenon. Mayer’s highlights at Disney include helping Disney CEO Bob Iger construct many acquisitions like Pixar, Lucasfilm, Marvel, BAMTech, and 21st Century Fox. Mayer’s last role with
Disney was their head of streaming.
Now let me answer the question you have on your mind. Where will Kevin Mayer go from here? I get some want a Disney reunion. I feel that is out of the cards. I can’t see him crawling back to his ex and I can’t imagine Mayer working under Chapek (and I don’t mean that as a shot at CEO Bob Chapek). Not to mention his old job is already filled by Rebecca Campbell and I doubt Disney would make Kevin Mayer, their Chief Operating Officer right now. Especially during these uncertain times.
I think Kevin Mayer could end up at Apple. He seems like a good choice to help steer their streaming efforts and help guide the company’s acquisitions for the future. If not I could see him becoming CEO at another company down the line. At the end of the day, it will be up to Mayer and what he wants to do.
Zach Perilstein is the Editor-in-Chief of the Boardwalk Times
