Former TikTok CEO Kevin Mayer Appointed to HYBE Board

Kevin Mayer, the former TikTok CEO and ex-Disney executive, has been installed as a non-executive director of HYBE, as per Music Business Worldwide.

The connection:

• Mayer is currently Co-CEO/Founder of Blackstone-backed media company Candle Media, and Co-Founder and Managing Partner of VC firm Smash Capital.

• Mayer first established a connection with HYBE when Candle Media acquired Spanish-language content firm Exile Content Studio in 2022.

• Exile was co-founded by current HYBE America Chairman/CEO Isaac Lee.

Backstory:

• Mayer brings extensive executive experience across streaming, media ventures, and global entertainment strategy.

• His resume includes a brief tenure as TikTok’s first US-based CEO in 2020, before he resigned amid government pressures.

• He served as a media advisor at Access Industries, Warner Music Group’s majority owner, from 2020-2023, while also chairing sports platform DAZN from 2021 to 2023.

• In 22 years at Disney, Mayer’s accomplishments included leading the Disney+ launch and orchestrating acquisitions of Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm and most of 21st Century Fox.

• Mayer currently serves on the board of Harvard Business School, and on the boards of Tinuiti and The Forest Road Company.