Ole Obermann to Exit TikTok as Global Head of Music Business Development

variety.com:

Ole Obermann, TikTok‘s global head of music business development at ByteDance, is readying to depart the company, Variety has confirmed.

Tracy Gardner will step into the role after Obermann exits in March. Gardner began working for TikTok and its parent company ByteDance in November 2019 as head of label licensing and partnerships.

She was formerly senior vice president, global business development and strategy at Warner Music Group. Representatives for TikTok declined Variety‘s request for comment.

Obermann is set to fulfill a role at another, undisclosed music company following his departure in March. In an internal memo issued by Obermann addressed his staff, and published by Music Business Worldwide, the exec writes, “I think that the best way for me to say goodbye is to recap my five and a half years at TikTok through the music that has moved me and our billion users over the years.” Obermann cites the success of Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road,” “Dreams” by Fleetwood Mac, Charli xcx’s “Brat” and Lola Young’s “Messy” on the platform.