The founder of the Snapchat is the most influential new media figure under the age of 30, according to research.
Evan Spiegel, chief executive of the instant photo app, emerged ahead of a range of technology entrepreneurs and YouTube video stars in Birmingham City University’s survey, which polled 15 to 24 year-olds.
Spiegel is 24 and co-founded Snapchat in July 2011 while studying at Stanford University. In August 2014, the company was valued at $10bn.
The founder of micro blogging site Tumblr David Karp was the second most influential figure.
American entertainer and YouTube personality Jenna Marbles, whose channel has more than 13 million subscribers, came third.
The top five was completed by Jamal Edwards, the owner of broadcasting company SBTV, and Felix Kjellberg, the video commentator who is better known by his online alias PewDiePie.
UK YouTube stars Tanya Burr, Zoella and Alfie Deyes – with more than 12 million subscribers combined – also made the top 20.
The Under 30 Power List was unveiled as a primer for the University’s Rethink Media event next March, which will discuss the impact and role of new media.
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