Ex-Disney powerhouse Zenia Mucha hired by TikTok
TikTok, the popular Chinese-owned social media platform, has hired Zenia Mucha, former longtime communications chief at Disney, as its new Chief Brand and Communications Officer. The move comes as TikTok faces political pressure to ban the app in the United States. In a companywide memo, TikTok CEO Shou Chew announced that Mucha would focus on advancing the strategic vision of the brand and advising key businesses.
During her time at Disney from 2001 to 2022, Mucha built a strong reputation as a defender of the company, leading a team of over 500 employees and founding the Disney fan club, D23. She decided not to renew her contract with Disney in 2021, which reportedly paid her $4.9 million per year.
Before joining TikTok, Mucha worked as the president of her communications consultancy company, ZM Strategies. Last March, TikTok enlisted her help to fight off a potential US ban amid concerns that the app was being used by China to spy on Americans. Mucha also worked with CEO Shou Chew leading up to his appearance before Congress.
Mucha’s appointment is part of a larger executive shakeup at TikTok. Adam Presser, TikTok’s Chief of Staff, will now serve as Head of Operations, overseeing content, user operations, and distribution. Additionally, COO V. Pappas announced her resignation from the company after five years.
TikTok has faced scrutiny from US officials over concerns of potential Chinese government influence on the platform. Montana recently became the first state to pass legislation banning TikTok from operating within its borders, starting from January 1, 2024.
FAQs:
Q: Who is Zenia Mucha?
A: Zenia Mucha is the former longtime communications chief at Disney who has now been hired by TikTok as its Chief Brand and Communications Officer.
Q: What will Zenia Mucha’s role be at TikTok?
A: Mucha will be responsible for advancing the strategic vision of the TikTok brand and advising key businesses.
Q: Why did TikTok hire Zenia Mucha?
A: TikTok hired Mucha to help fend off political pressure and potential bans on the app. She brings extensive experience in communications and brand management.
Q: Who else has been part of the executive shakeup at TikTok?
A: Adam Presser, former Chief of Staff, will now oversee operations at TikTok. Additionally, COO V. Pappas has resigned from the company.
Q: Why has TikTok faced scrutiny from US officials?
A: US officials are concerned about potential Chinese government influence over the platform and its potential impact on American users’ privacy and security.
Q: Which state has banned TikTok?
A: Montana has passed legislation to ban TikTok from operating within the state’s borders starting from January 1, 2024.
TikTok recruits former Disney powerhouse Zenia Mucha
TikTok, the Chinese-owned social media platform, has hired Zenia Mucha, former communications chief of Disney, in an effort to resist political pressure to ban the app. Mucha, aged 65, has been appointed as Chief Brand and Communications Officer, effective immediately. TikTok CEO Shou Chew announced Mucha’s appointment in a companywide memo, stating that she will focus on the strategic vision of the brand and provide advice to key businesses. Mucha had been a prominent figure at Disney from 2001 to 2022, leading a team of over 500 and founding the Disney fan club, D23, which had over 1 million active members. In 2021, Mucha announced that she would not renew her contract, which paid her $4.9 million per year. She officially left Disney in early 2022.
During the period between her departure from Disney and her hiring by TikTok, Mucha served as the president of her own communications consulting firm, ZM Strategies. TikTok, owned by ByteDance in Beijing, had previously enlisted Mucha’s help in its battle against a potential ban in the United States over concerns about Chinese spying. Mucha reportedly coached CEO Shou Chew in the weeks leading up to his appearance before Congress. This appointment is part of a larger management reorganization at TikTok. In the same memo, Chew announced that Adam Presser, previously TikTok’s Chief of Staff, will now become the Head of Operations, overseeing content, user operations, and distribution. It was also revealed that COO V. Pappas has resigned from the company after five years of service.
TikTok, with over 150 million users in the US alone, has faced criticism from American officials who are wary of potential Chinese government influence. In fact, the state of Montana recently became the first in the US to ban the app, with legislation set to take effect in 2024. TikTok declined to comment on the recent management changes beyond the details provided in Chew’s memo. It remains to be seen how Mucha’s appointment will impact the app’s reputation and dealings with political pressure.