• by Wayne Friedman , May 18, 2020

Veteran Walt Disney executive Kevin Mayer -- once considered a candidate for the top spot at the company -- is moving to TikTok, the fast-growing short-video sharing platform, as its CEO.

Mayer, who will also be COO of ByteDance, the Chinese company that owns TikTok, had been chairman of Disney’s Direct-to-Consumer & International unit since early 2018.

His unit includes the crucial Disney+ streaming business.

Mayer was responsible for the major successful start of Disney+ late in 2019 -- now at 55 million subscribers worldwide.

He has also been key in helping Bob Iger, chairman/CEO, make major Disney acquisitions over the years, including Pixar Animation Studios, Marvel Entertainment, Lucasfilm, BamTech and 21st Century Fox businesses.

In February, Iger departed, a long-expected move after his 20-year tenure. The top spot at Walt Disney went to Bob Chapek, chairman of Disney Parks.

Rebecca Campbell, president of the Disneyland Resort, who also had been president of the ABC Owned Television Station Group, will take over Mayer’s position.