Industry launches fundraising effort following death of social media pioneer Leslie Nassar
A GoFundMe page has been created to help the family of one of the pivotal figures in Australia’s social media industry who died in a car accident over the weekend.
Leslie Nassar, the brains behind the ABC’s celebrated Q&A live Twitter feed and the satirical Department of Australia slot for Crikey, was walking with his children in the US when he was hit by a car whose driver was later arrested for allegedly leaving the scene of the accident.
A software engineer by background, Nassar went on to work on emerging technology with Telstra, on digital media with Victoria Police and as a long time consultant and technical producer to the ABC, particularly with Q&A.
He was an early voice in Australia’s emerging social media scene, and particularly influential on shaping the role of Twitter in local television viewing. He spoke at the very first Social Media Club Sydney in 2009.
https://t.co/xJ97ng8AHW #auspol #spines pic.twitter.com/lnBeBPY33h
— Dept of Australia (@deptofaustralia) September 14, 2016
He was chief technology officer at digital agency Razorfish Australia from 2012 to 2013 before going on to co-found creative technology company Wrangling Cats last year along with Andrea Horton. This morning she said in a statement:
“It is with the heaviest of hearts that we confirm that the co-founder of Wrangling Cats, Leslie Nassar, has passed away under tragic circumstances. First and foremost, Leslie was a dedicated family man. Our thoughts are with Leslie’s wife, three beautiful daughters and his loved ones. The gap that has been left is one that is truly impossible to fill. Leslie was a man of principle, whose views brought a notoriety in the non-mainstream media which has seen an out-pouring of grief which is well and truly fitting to all that knew him personally or who followed him on-line.
“He was a man of two worlds. In private he was a gentle, compassionate soul with a fierce love for his family and loyalty to his friends, while at work he was a passionate and creative genius, dedicated to using new technologies in weird and wonderful new ways that seemed impossible until Leslie made them a reality with an understated aplomb. He was also a savage satirist, driven by a desire to see the powerful held to account, and for justice to prevail. He truly wanted to use digital innovation to make the world a better place.
“He used social media, particularly Twitter, to devastating effect, to critique the missteps of those in power. His Dept. of Australia musings for Crikey showed just how wickedly fearless and funny he was.
“His work for the ABC with Q&A established him as a world leader, changing the way broadcast TV connected with viewers in a way that is now emulated around the world.
“He was one of the few people I have encountered who could talk tech without reducing the room to paralysis and at the same time, teach smart people how to be better. He elevated people, made them question, look deeper and confront the status quo.”
Peter McEvoy, Executive Producer of Q&A , added:
“His work helped Q&A involve viewers across Australia as well as panellists and politicians in a truly national conversation. It breaks my heart to think of all the brilliant ideas that will never be realised without his talent.
“He was a great colleague, a dear friend and a proud father and husband. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.”
An Australian memorial is in the process of being organised with details to follow.
The GoFundMe page for his family can be found via this link.
Only a few weeks ago, I reached out for help on a mobile technology question, and Leslie was the person who responded first. He was as generous as he was funny, and he was very bloody funny. He’s going to be missed by a lot of people. My sincere condolences to his family and friends.
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Hello Leslie’s family I’m not sure where else to put this but I want to say how amazing and inspiring Leslie was. He put creativity and wit into the heart of what can be at times a very sterile industry. He’ll be missed here and I’m sure by you all. Much love and respect, and our thoughts are with you.
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He was everything we all should aspire to be: smart, honest, helpful and witty.
This is an enormous loss.
My thoughts are with his wife, children, family, friends and colleagues.
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R.i.p Leslie .You will be missed by so many ..From back home in Morphett Vale, .South Australia
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