Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) CEO Elon Musk is one of the most famous personalities in business World today, but there was a time, when he was not getting enough attention from Media, says a report from Business Insider.
There was a situation when Musk started feeling ‘incredibly insulted” as indicated by the emails he sent to Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) employees in 2006. Musk was so depressed by the sparse media attention that he threatened to fire a senior member if he fails in getting him more press.
Musk’s acquisition of PayPal changed everything
In 2000, when Musk acquired PayPal he became enormously wealthy. Musk founded Space X, and also invested money, primarily in the leading 2004 Series A round for electric car company Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) founded by Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning. Musk became the chairman of the board. The company kept low profile until 2006, and in July the company broke its silence as Tesla invited some 350 high status people to a launch party for the Tesla Roadster in an aircraft hangar in Santa Monica California.
Personalities like Michael Eisner, Ed Begley Jr, and then Governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger took the test drive of the Tesla Roadster, the high performance electric car that was meant to be Tesla’s flagship model. At that time, Eberhard was the most known face of the company, and did many interviews at the Roadster launch. Musk wrote an email to the Mike Harrigan in July 18, 2006 saying that he would, “like to talk with every major publication within reason.”
Musk was unhappy with lack of coverage
In the email (obtained by Business Insider) Musk wrote, “The way that my role as been portrayed to date, where I am referred to merely as “an early investor” is outrageous. That would be like Martin [Eberhard] being called an “early employee.”
Musk said that he is leading series A & B and co-leading the series C, and that his impression on the car runs from the headlights to the styling of the door sill to the trunk, and his deep insight into the electric transport exists from almost a decade. Musk added that Martin might be a centre of focus, but portrayal of his role has been incredibly insulting.
Ultimately, Musk’s wish was granted after Eberhard and two other CEOs he became the face of Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA), which is now visible everywhere.
