Kevin Mayer, a prime contender in the race to succeed Bob Iger as Disney’s CEO, has mapped out what he sees as the must-have traits for the next chief executive officer of the Mouse House.
Boasting a rich history with the entertainment behemoth dating back to 1992, Mayer’s track record is punctuated by pivotal roles in orchestrating game-changing mergers and acquisitions, including groundbreaking deals for Marvel, Pixar, and key assets of 21st Century Fox.
He also played a crucial role in steering the launch of Disney+, a seismic shift that reshaped the company’s digital landscape.
Exiting Disney in 2020 to helm short-form video platform TikTok, Mayer’s tenure was cut short amidst escalating pressure from the Trump administration over the platform’s ties to China, prompting his swift departure.
Mayer has since redirected his expertise toward the booming realms of streaming and digital content as the founder and CEO of Candle Media, boasting an impressive portfolio featuring the likes of Reese Witherspoon’s media venture Hello Sunshine and global kids’ entertainment titan Moonbug, home to popular franchises such as Cocomelon and Blippi.
Having returned to the Disney fold as a strategic advisor to Iger last year, Mayer’s insights have become increasingly coveted amidst continuing speculation surrounding his old boss’s succession.
The 3 traits Disney’s next CEO must have
Speaking on stage with Fortune’s Massimo Marioni at Web Summit Qatar, Mayer outlined three indispensable attributes necessary for the next occupant of one of the world’s most coveted corner offices.
“Bob is tough to replace. We saw that the first time around,” acknowledged Mayer, reflecting on the turbulent tenure of Bob Chapek, who replaced Iger in 2020 before leaving in 2022.
“Bob [Iger] is an incredibly capable CEO. He knows the company inside out. He and I made those content acquisitions that really changed the face of not only Disney, but also the entertainment industry in many ways.
“A Disney CEO really has to understand brands. The influence and power that they have. And the responsibility that goes along with having those brands.”
‘No one is irreplaceable’
Furthermore, Mayer underscored the imperative for a fusion of creativity and shrewd business acumen to navigate Disney’s multifaceted operations spanning theme parks, streaming, paid TV, channels, consumer products, and sports.
“They have to be creative but also a substantially sophisticated businessperson. It’s a multifaceted company,” he added.
Acknowledging the daunting task of filling Iger’s formidable shoes, Mayer said: “Bob’s a great CEO and very difficult to replace, but no one is irreplaceable.”
Pressed on his potential candidacy, Mayer remained coy, quipping: “No comment on that, but I spent a lot of time there.”
