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Most of us see the social media icon, Sean Parker, as the manipulative party boy as he was portrayed by Justin Timberlake in The Social Network. Sean Parker has lit up the New York City nightlife since he first stepped on the scene three years ago, however there are some things about life in the spotlight that this social media icon would change if he could. However the $2.1 billion man may not have much choice in the matter. How does he far up to those that paved the way before him like Steve Jobs? Whats the real Sean Parker like? Lets take a glance this young social media icons life from his (and his publicist’s perspective).
Social Media Icon | Steve Jobs vs. Sean Parker
Steve Jobs welcomed fame. Honored with a TIMES cover back in 1982, Steve Jobs always used his public status to enhance his business opportunities. Much like Sean Parker, Steve Jobs was an innovator, however he focused on his masterpiece, Apple, while the social media icon has been involved in everything from Napster at the age of 19 to Myspace to the president of Facebook for sometime.
Also where Steve Jobs remained very private, especially concerning private manner, Sean Parker chooses to speak quite candidly. The New York Times shares insight about the social media icon:
Mr. Parker, whether by design or impulse, has an almost compulsive need to share whatever is on his mind. When asked whether he used drugs, Mr. Parker dove in, saying, “I definitely don’t smoke weed,” and would have continued if his publicist had not cut him off. (Silenced, Mr. Parker followed up with a less specific response.) He is critical of gossip sites that report on his parties while, at the same time, breathlessly describing why he hires greeters or how he devises a menu. And he brazenly called New York socialites who came to his charity fund-raisers but did not donate “idiots.”
Mr. Parker’s candor has certain appeal. But it is also easy to see how his comments are fodder for those hungry for controversy. At one point we discussed online reports that Mark Zuckerberg, a Facebook founder and Mr. Parker’s friend, planned to kill everything that he ate. “I think he does it because it gives him something else to talk about other than Facebook,” said Mr. Parker.
While this social media icon may be much different than the character written by Aaron Sorkin, these snide comments don’t do a lot to help his case.
Social Media Icon | Infamous Parties
Sean Parker’s famous Bacchus House in West Village has housed dozens of charity events since he moved in three years ago. The social media icon is quite the philanthropists with charities ranging from cancer research to providing fresh drinking water for developing nations. And he isn’t afraid to call out those that don’t contribute portions of their riches to good causes as The New York Time reports:
…he angrily threatened to throw out his guests — who included Edward Norton, David Blaine and the singer John Mayer — if they had not made a donation, and instead had come, as he put it, just to eat his food and drink his liquor.)
Last year, he became deeply involved in and helped pay for the cancer treatment of Laura Ziskin, a Hollywood producer and friend who died in June.
“He cares a great deal about the people around him,” said Peter Thiel, Mr. Parker’s friend and a partner at San Francisco-based Founders Fund, a venture capital firm and early Facebook investor where Mr. Parker is now an executive general partner. But there is one aspect of his reputation the 32-year-old Mr. Parker can’t seem to shake: Most people still think he’s that sleazy guy from “The Social Network.”
Social Media Icon | A Force to be Reckoned
Sean Parker may be a visionary he may be a master manipulator, both are products of genius. No matter what you may think of Sean Parker, he is a social media icon that will be revered for his innovations, lifestyle, and personality.
Image attribution: http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2010/10/sean-parker-201010
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