Groupon’s quick rise has been overshadowed poor management and shady accounting. Can the company repair its reputation?
“Everyone The Verge spoke with who has worked directly with Mason says he’s not the clown that became his persona in the media. ‘He was an incredibly focused and hard-working guy,’ says Sennett. But in crafting his image as a goofball, Mason painted himself into a corner. ‘I don’t think Eric used Andrew, or that Andrew didn’t go in with his eyes wide open. But yes, the cynical interpretation is that Eric saw how useful Andrew could be, first as the charming, boyish entrepreneur, then as the fall guy for Groupon’s public plunge.’”