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Sacked Groupon founder turns to 'motivational' rock music Sacked Groupon founder turns to 'motivational' rock music
(3 months later)
The founder of Groupon, who was sacked by the discount website earlier this year, has found a new career: fronting a one-man soft rock band.The founder of Groupon, who was sacked by the discount website earlier this year, has found a new career: fronting a one-man soft rock band.
Andrew Mason, who published a painfully honest resignation letter after he was fired, released the seven-track "motivational business music" album Hardly Workin' on iTunes and Spotify on Monday evening.Andrew Mason, who published a painfully honest resignation letter after he was fired, released the seven-track "motivational business music" album Hardly Workin' on iTunes and Spotify on Monday evening.
Mason, 32, said the album's motivational lyrics "pull some of the most important learnings from my years at the helm of one of the fastest growing businesses in history, and packages them as music".Mason, 32, said the album's motivational lyrics "pull some of the most important learnings from my years at the helm of one of the fastest growing businesses in history, and packages them as music".
"Executives, mid-level management and frontline employees are all sure to find valuable takeaways," he said in a blogpost."Executives, mid-level management and frontline employees are all sure to find valuable takeaways," he said in a blogpost.
He suggested bosses end their next "all-hands meeting" by playing the album's final track It's Up to Us, which includes the lyrics: "Execution. Baby, it's up to us."He suggested bosses end their next "all-hands meeting" by playing the album's final track It's Up to Us, which includes the lyrics: "Execution. Baby, it's up to us."
Other lyrics include: "I was climbing Machu Picchu, as I beheld the splendid view an idea came for £100m of shareholder value."Other lyrics include: "I was climbing Machu Picchu, as I beheld the splendid view an idea came for £100m of shareholder value."
On the song The Way to Work, Mason sings: "I look at the road ahead. It reminds me that the journey is the reason I get out of bed and work."On the song The Way to Work, Mason sings: "I look at the road ahead. It reminds me that the journey is the reason I get out of bed and work."
Mason, who left Groupon about $200m richer despite an 80% plunge in the share price under his leadership, advises listeners to follow his path to fortune. "Don't you want a mansion and a yacht like mine?" he croons.Mason, who left Groupon about $200m richer despite an 80% plunge in the share price under his leadership, advises listeners to follow his path to fortune. "Don't you want a mansion and a yacht like mine?" he croons.
The album has not been terribly well received by reviewers on iTunes. Gpanger said: "Andrew Mason is famous for being a prankster. And I'm pretty sure no self-respecting man would put out this kind of music seriously."The album has not been terribly well received by reviewers on iTunes. Gpanger said: "Andrew Mason is famous for being a prankster. And I'm pretty sure no self-respecting man would put out this kind of music seriously."
Another review by Rafpm said: "If super generic and unoriginal textbook 'country rock' is your thing… go for it. Lame."Another review by Rafpm said: "If super generic and unoriginal textbook 'country rock' is your thing… go for it. Lame."
Mason, who may have sought inspiration from his musician wife Jenny Gillespie, left Groupon in April after emailing all 11,000 staff to tell them "I was fired today".Mason, who may have sought inspiration from his musician wife Jenny Gillespie, left Groupon in April after emailing all 11,000 staff to tell them "I was fired today".
In the frank and funny letter, which referenced Pope Benedict XVI, video game Battletoads and also promised to head off to "fat camp", he said: "I've decided that I'd like to spend more time with my family. Just kidding – I was fired today. If you're wondering why … you haven't been paying attention."In the frank and funny letter, which referenced Pope Benedict XVI, video game Battletoads and also promised to head off to "fat camp", he said: "I've decided that I'd like to spend more time with my family. Just kidding – I was fired today. If you're wondering why … you haven't been paying attention."
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