Brutal Truth

Aussie crime reporter Maddie Grey is out of her depth in New York and secretly drawn to her twice-married, powerful media mogul boss, Elena Bartell, who eats failing newspapers for breakfast. As work takes them to Australia, Maddie is goaded into a brief bet-that they will say only the truth to each other. It backfires catastrophically.

"This is one of the most thoughtful books on branding I've come across. Most such books are either quickly-crafted "how-to" books or academic tomes over-burdened with references. This book is thoughtful because it raises questions which deal with the 'why' rather than just 'how' of branding. The reference to brutal truth as the truth which will set us free—to examine ourselves without self-illusions—is liberating. The notion that Asia has many good, but no great brands, is also not a put-down but a clarion call for Asian CEOs to rise to the challenge and create lasting, meaningful, committed brands." —Ho Kwon Ping, Chairman/CEO; Banyan Tree and Board of Trustees, SMU; 2010 recipient of the "Lifetime Achievement Award" by the American Creativity Association "A cold shower to wake people up. Joe Baladi's Brand Blueprint is a great tool for anyone involved in Sovereign Relationship Marketing or brand building anywhere." —Timothy Love, Vice Chairman; Chief Executive Officer, Omnicom APIMA "There are many books about branding but few address Asian companies directly. Joe Baladi has been one of the loudest voices to advocate strong branding practices to Asian companies determined to outperform their competitors. The Brutal Truth About Asian Branding is a timely book that all Asian CEOs with global aspirations should read." —Richard Eu, Group CEO, Eu Yan Sang International "The Brutal Truth About Asian Branding is the first book that connects branding frameworks to the realities of operating in Asia. It offers a very straightforward perspective on the challenges Asian CEOs face as they build their businesses and their brands, and perhaps the most compelling part of the book is the passionate plea for how Asian CEOs should be thinking different about branding. In true Baladi style, it is straight from the heart." —Maarten Kelder, Managing Partner (Asia), Monitor Group "A very interesting and valuable perspective on Asian branding... one that decision makers in the region should read and embrace. Well done Joe!" —Ron Sim, Founder & CEO, OSIM International "Brands mean Business, anywhere in the world! The focus on Asia, at this time, is natural since the developing nations of the region did so much to help the world recover from the global 2008 economic crisis. Baladi's text is timely; it is thoughtful and thought-provoking; putting people and brands center stage with practical insights borne of his breadth of personal experience at the frontline." —Chris D. Beaumont, Professor, Tokyo University, Global Centre of Excellence; Director, North Asia, Results International "The brutal truth is that Joe Baladi is right. Asian CEOs must learn the brand skills used so successfully in the rest of the world. It will take a big change in mentality, but the rewards will be vast. This book is a great start to that revolution." —Michael Newman, Author, 22 Irrefutable Laws of Advertising

This is an account of a world far removed from normal everyday life. It describes Eric Mason's years in a home for young delinquents, and his associations with the Kray twins and John McVicar, and details his observations on the Great Train Robbery gang.

After three internationally acclaimed books, Simon unleashes the 'Brutal Truths' about the way society has changed globally. Beyond COVID-19, society is facing a much bigger threat in 2021, accentuated by the pandemic, but evolving through 20 years of 'borrowed beliefs'; We are a civilisation in decay through over civilisation. Simon believes there are 5 Brutal Truths holding us back in today's society. We're mentally weak, not mentally ill We've lost our tribes - we're not in this together We're not equal - life's a scoreboard We're still animals We need heroes We're not racists - we're labellers Brutal Truths will divide people like few books do and tackles every societal taboo from racism, to mental illness, to religion and minority thinking controlling the majority. It is designed to provoke feeling and to force people to take a side. Simon examines in great detail why things don't make sense anymore and amid this craziness there is only one thing we can do: go back to the simple notion of knowing where you stand as the world goes by. What do you believe? What is your truth, your values, your ethics, your best play? Simon Hammond is one of Australia's most sought after keynote speakers and commentators on branding, consumer behaviour and his unique social insights. His presentations are thought-provoking, stimulating and creative. He is currently chairman of 50 Crates Creative Agency and chairs the YMCA's National Belief Council.

Kevin O’Leary shares invaluable secrets on entrepreneurship, business, money and life. Can you make millions just by “visualizing yourself rich” as some business prophets suggest? Don’t buy it, says Kevin O’Leary. If you want to be a successful entrepreneur and amass wealth, you’re going to have to work for it. But the good news is: with the right guidance, focus and perseverance, you can turn entrepreneurial vision into lucrative reality and have the personal freedom that only wealth can buy. Kevin O’Leary would know. The much-feared and revered Dragon on the immensely popular show Dragons’ Den (and Shark Tank in the U.S.) started his company in his basement with a $10,000 loan from his financially savvy mother. A few years later, Kevin sold that company for more than four billion dollars. In this compelling, candid and, above all else, brutally honest business memoir, Kevin provides engaging, practical advice and lessons that will give anyone a distinct competitive edge.

Rough Gods photographer Michael Alago has thrilled us with his ongoing series of erotically charged images which are powerful, seductive and sometimes a one two punch to the head that leaves you breathless. In BRUTAL TRUTH, the much anticipated follow up to his first sellout book "Rough Gods" he continues to share with us the masculinity of the macho men we all have come to adore; muscular, tattooed, strong and testosterone fueled. Come on in and enter the world of Alago's images. You will be delighted with the virile strength of these men in this provocative 260 page book.

Relationships are incredibly rewarding, but the truth is that they require a lot of hard work. If you want lasting love, you absolutely have to put some effort in. This book, which explores the more practical aspects of building a life with the person you love, will resonate with couples ready to embrace honesty in the name of strengthening their bond and anyone else committed to understanding intimacy for what it really is.

Jonathan Harnisch is an "artist, dreamer, man on a mission, and human being just like you." He is also "a deeply troubled and disturbed person," who lives with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and borderline personality disorder. He is committed to sharing his unique life online in order to help others. Through a relentless, direct encounter with his schizophrenic self and thoughts, Harnisch offers a rare insight into this often misunderstood disorder. Extraordinarily, the message is one of resilience and hope, finding rare wisdom through enduring and learning to understand his psychotic episodes. Rather than retreating into his own troubles, Harnisch journeys inside himself in order to understand the humanity that he shares with others: "The strongest people are not those who show strength in front of the world but those who fight and win battles that others do not know anything about." For all its fearless honesty, The Brutal Truth is throughout an affirmation of life. As Harnisch says, "I write and publish what I want and what I feel, no matter what mood or state of mind I am in, but I always do my best to keep things positive." After all, he knows that he is "a legitimate, loving, grateful, and spiritual human being who deserves to be loved and accepted and who deserves to make decisions, to make mistakes, and to be forgiven." The Brutal Truth shows that it is by acknowledging the schizophrenic experience that we can come to understand and deal with it. Harnisch's essays offer daring descriptions of what it is like to live-moment upon moment-with schizophrenia. These essays are written to help others undergoing mental disorders. They will also help those who want to better understand what their loved ones are going through so that they can help them more effectively and more compassionately. But these essays are not just for those affected by psychiatric disorders. All readers will feel enriched after spending time with Harnisch in this extraordinary and too often untold schizophrenic world. As Harnisch says, "We schizophrenics, through our psychosis-our delusions, our hallucinations, our reality-create or develop a story." Seldom has the schizophrenic story been told with such unflinching honesty and truth.