Media OutReach
Planner At Large Founder Announces Release Of Début Book Swimming Downstream
Award-winning consultant Judd Labarthe launches a much-anticipated book, Swimming Downstream, challenging conventional marketing wisdom with practical, evidence-based guidance
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 9 September 2025 – Judd Labarthe, the US-born founder of Singapore-based consultancy Planner at Large LLP, today announced the release of his début book, Swimming Downstream: How To Stop Struggling & Start Winning With Marketing That Actually Works, published by Marshall Cavendish Business.
In the author’s view, the marketing field is plagued by intuitive yet fundamentally flawed assumptions that lead even seasoned, well-meaning businesspeople to repeat the same avoidable mistakes.
“The good news”, said Labarthe, “is that successful marketing is more accessible than most businesspeople realize. Thanks to the work of some smart, often contrarian thinkers, we now know much more about what to commit to and what to avoid. It’s thinking that’s starting to catch on among more advanced marketers, but it’s not much talked about, let alone applied, by the people for whom the stakes are highest: brand and business owners themselves.”
Swimming Downstream aims to change that.
The book is built around a clear idea: most companies are ‘swimming upstream’, wasting resources on popular but misguided tactics that may feel right but don’t actually help them compete. Instead, Labarthe offers readers a more appealing alternative: to ‘swim downstream,’ by recognizing, understanding and aligning with the powerful currents of evidence-based marketing.
“The title metaphor is deliberate,” Labarthe explained. “We’ve been sold this image of success as a noble battle where we bravely fight the current to work our way upstream. But in marketing, if you stop chasing trends and start understanding the currents that actually drive growth, you can swim with these currents instead. And that means building success with less effort – and a lot less waste.”
Drawing from marketing science, real-life case studies, and Labarthe’s decades of experience, Swimming Downstream provides a success framework that’s immediately actionable – in part because it’s built around the core questions all businesspeople face sooner or later.
Specifically, brand and business owners will learn how to break free from convention, to recognize and harness marketing’s real success drivers, and to avoid making the common and costly mistakes that limit competitiveness and growth. Marketing professionals will develop a convincing arsenal of arguments for doing more of what will help, and against doing what won’t but is often baked into company culture as “best practice.” And marketing students and others new to the field will gain a plain-language set of evidence- and experience-based alternatives to conventional wisdom, including what’s commonly taught in school.
The book is also a gateway to the thinking that drives Labarthe’s consultancy, Planner At Large LLP, whose clients benefit from an approach to growing their business that focuses on building fame and distinctiveness. Asked about this approach, Labarthe said “we strive to be more creative than the typical management consultant, and more commercially savvy than the typical brand consultant. And the proof is in the pudding: over my career I’ve helped my clients win almost 80 awards for marketing effectiveness.”
Labarthe concluded: “Marketing is much more than logos and package designs and social posts and clever stunts; it’s how a business competes. You can’t tack it on at the end of the process of becoming more competitive; marketing is that process.”
Swimming Downstream is a refreshing and necessary dive into what successful marketing can and should be.
Availability
Swimming Downstream is available now on Amazon.com, Amazon.sg, Google Play, and in major bookstores including Kinokuniya and Popular, and through the author directly.
Early Praise for Swimming Downstream:
Swimming Downstream takes a thoughtful, analytical, and well researched approach to helping business leaders re-think their marketing with a focus on long-term success. Labarthe reminds us, rightly in my view, that marketing and brand are the responsibility of the top of the house, not a department. His anecdotes are instructive, and the chapter end summaries provide a shorthand “to-do list” for the attention-challenged. Swimming Downstream is a useful, understandable, and practical guide to fixing marketing, so it can make the cash register ring.
Stephen Ban, former Fortune 500 CMO
Swimming Downstream crushes the conventional wisdom dished out by marketing veterans and self-styled “experts”, and it does so with a deft combination of rigor, creativity and a fun, conversational style I really loved. Better still, Labarthe doesn’t simply poke holes in traditional marketing tropes; he provides solid, practical solutions illustrated with insightful case histories based on his experience as a marketing consultant.
Marty Horn, former SVP, DDB Worldwide and author of the forthcoming The Marketing Researcher’s Edge
As a nonfiction book editor who has co-written four books on marketing and sales, it’s safe to say I’ve read dozens of marketing books. Swimming Downstream offers two things I rarely see together: clear, practical, and actionable guidance for growing brands and businesses, and also a ripping great read! If you’re looking for a serious (and seriously witty) book that will change the way you think about marketing and how you do it, this book is for you.
Helena Bouchez, Principal, Executive Words
The most unconventional marketing book I have ever read. Labarthe is a critical thinker who questions and refutes the typical marketing concepts and buzzwords, the models taught in business schools and marketing classes. Instead, his book is a celebration of logical thinking and common sense. It’s both refreshing and entertaining. Will recommend it to my students!
Prof. Dr. Michael Bahles, BSP Business & Law School Berlin
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Available in Six Expressive Colorways, HYTE’s Latest PC Case Delivers Perfect Balance of Form and Function with Accessible Pricing
CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES – Media OutReach Newswire – 19 December 2025 – HYTE, a leading manufacturer of cutting-edge PC components and peripherals, announces its highly anticipated X50 and X50 Air Modern Performance Cases are now available. Following its successful Computex 2025 debut, the X50 cases are meticulously designed chassis engineered with premium materials and finishes for incredible durability, while maintaining a builder-friendly experience with tool-less panels, integrated cable management, and future-proof component compatibility.
HYTE’s new X50 and X50 Air cases redefine traditional PC chassis design with fully rounded construction and built-in performance optimizations. These include a Full-Coverage Micro-Mesh front panel for low-pressure air intake, HYTE’s patent-pending Louvered Blade Ventilation on the back which reduces exhaust impedance while reinforcing rigidity, and a structural top-mounted PSU canopy enabling hassle-free cable management. Both cases feature massive 360mm radiator support on front and side, with total capacity for up-to-10 fans, including up to 3x 120mm extra-thick fans on the bottom for cold-floor GPU cooling.
Key features include:
- Premium Build Materials – 1mm-thick steel improves chassis strength and durability. Manufactured with Automotive-Grade Tooling, the X50 has 4x tighter tolerances than other PC cases, achieving its signature rounded curves
- Superior Build Experiences – The rounded design contributes to a comfortable build experience. Its tool-less front and side panels, covertly routed cable-routing channels, and spacious interiors lets anyone build in the X50 with no obstructions.
- Distinct Aesthetic Options – X50 features sweeping curved 4mm-thick laminated acoustic glass for maximum visibility and noise dampening. X50 Air uses curved Full-Coverage Micro-Mesh panel for enhanced airflow. X50 Air available in Snow White and Pitch Black; standard X50 in Snow White, Pitch Black, Wild Cherry, Taro Milk, Strawberry Milk, and Matcha Milk
WEBSITE: https://hyte.com/store/x50
Hashtag: #HYTE
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
ABOUT HYTE
HYTE is a lifestyle-centered brand enhancing play with innovative PC components and accessories. Designed for gaming, music, arts and entertainment, all HYTE products are rigorously researched and tested. Visit: 
http://www.hyte.com
Available in Six Expressive Colorways, HYTE’s Latest PC Case Delivers a Perfect Balance of Form and Function Through its Disciplined Multi-Dimensional Design Complete with Accessible Pricing
CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES – Media OutReach Newswire – 19 December 2025 – HYTE, a leading manufacturer of cutting-edge PC components and peripherals, is excited to announce that its highly anticipated X50 and X50 Air Modern Performance Cases are now available. Following its successful Computex 2025 debut, the X50 cases are meticulously designed PC chassis that are engineered with premium materials and finishes that allow for incredible durability, while maintaining a builder-friendly experience with its tool-less panels, integrated cable management solutions, and future-proof component compatibility.
HYTE’s new X50 and X50 Air cases redefine traditional PC chassis design, as both cases feature a fully rounded design with several built-in performance optimizations. These include a Full-Coverage Micro-Mesh front panel for low-pressure and low-resistance air intake, HYTE’s patent-pending Louvered Blade Ventilation on the back of the case which reduces exhaust impedance while reinforcing case rigidity, and a structural top-mounted PSU canopy that lets the PSU act as an exhaust fan while opening up hassle-free cable management. Both the X50 and X50 Air feature massive 360mm radiator support on the front and side of the case, with a total capacity of up-to-10 fans, including up to 3x 120mm extra-thick fans on the case’s bottom for cold-floor cooling that keeps any GPU comfortably cool.
Other key features of the X50 and X50 Air Modern Performance Cases include:
- Premium Build Materials – Both cases use 1mm-thick steel that improves chassis strength and durability. Manufactured with Automotive-Grade Tooling, the X50 has 4x tighter tolerances than other PC cases, which allows HYTE to achieve the X50’s rounded compounded curves
- Superior Build Experiences – The X50 and X50 Air’s rounded design contributes to the ease of any build without being harsh on a builder’s hands. Its tool-less front and side panels, covertly routed cable-routing channels, and spacious interiors lets anyone build in the X50 with no obstructions.
- Distinct Aesthetic Options – The X50 comes with a sweeping curved 4mm-thick laminated acoustic glass for maximum visibility and passive noise dampening. The X50 Air swaps the glass panel with a curved Full-Coverage Micro-Mesh panel that enhances the case’s airflow capabilities. While the X50 Air only comes in Snow White and Pitch Black, the standard X50 will be available in Snow White, Pitch Black, Wild Cherry, Taro Milk, Strawberry Milk, and Matcha Milk colorways.
WEBSITE:
To know more about an X50 or an X50 Air Modern Performance Case, please visit: https://hyte.com/store/x50
Hashtag: #HYTE
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
ABOUT HYTE
HYTE is a lifestyle-centered brand focused on enhancing play with its fresh and innovative PC components and accessories. Designed to fuel passions in gaming, music, the arts and entertainment, all HYTE products are rigorously researched and tested before they are brought to fruition. HYTE, as a company and its products, are inspired by the needs and behaviors of its community and the many ways people play. HYTE is committed to designing products to help people experience play throughout their lifestyle, no matter what that may be. To learn more, please visit: 
http://www.hyte.com
Work-Integrated Learning Matters
Work-Integrated Learning bridges the gap between classroom theory and practical application. By immersing students in authentic work environments, internships cultivate essential skills beyond technical knowledge, including cognitive abilities such as problem-solving, affective traits like emotional intelligence, and psychomotor skills that enhance hands-on performance. Graduates who master these dimensions stand out as versatile professionals ready to contribute from day one, shaping leaders of the future who can drive innovation and growth.
The SIM60 WILL Award: Setting Graduates Apart
The SIM60 WILL Award is more than a recognition, it is a testament to resilience and excellence. Students who complete internships successfully and demonstrate perseverance in challenging situations are honoured for their commitment to growth. This award signals to employers that recipients are not only academically competent but also workplace-ready, equipped with the adaptability and grit that modern industries demand. It reinforces SIM’s mission to foster sustainable employment by preparing graduates for long-term career success.
Success Stories That Inspire
Recipients of the SIM60 WILL Award come from varied academic and personal backgrounds, yet many share a common pathway: leveraging work-integrated learning experiences to strengthen their career readiness. Several award recipients have used internships to apply classroom knowledge to real business environments, developing data dashboards, automating processes, supporting cybersecurity initiatives, and contributing to enterprise-level digital projects.
For some, these internships have served as stepping stones to contract or full-time roles in areas such as business analysis, project management and data operations. Others have progressed to subsequent placements in high growth sectors, where exposure to real world challenges has helped refine their technical skills and broaden their understanding of industry expectations.
These experiences reflect SIM’s commitment in shaping leaders of the future and fostering Sustainable Employment through Work-Integrated Learning, demonstrating how structured internships, supported by SIM’s guidance and reinforced through the WILL Award, equip learners with practical competencies and professional confidence to navigate evolving career landscapes.
Impact on Employability
Internship experience is a proven differentiator in hiring decisions. According to global employability studies, candidates with practical exposure are significantly more likely to secure roles and advance in their careers. The SIM60 WILL Award amplifies this advantage by validating the quality of a student’s internship performance. For employers, it serves as a trusted benchmark of talent. For graduates, it opens doors to opportunities that might otherwise remain out of reach, enhancing employability in a rapidly evolving economy.
Key Takeaways
The SIM60 WILL Award reflects SIM’s ongoing efforts to integrate work experience into education, supporting students in building practical skills that complement academic learning. By recognizing internship excellence, the award highlights the importance of resilience and adaptability in preparing graduates for the evolving job market.
References:
- SIM60 WILL Award/Career Service – https://www.sim.edu.sg/degrees-diplomas/life-at-sim/career-services
- Ng Jing Heng on Turning an Internship into a Career Launchpad – https://www.sim.edu.sg/articles-inspirations/ng-jing-heng-on-turning-an-internship-into-a-career-launchpad
- Chen Soon Keat’s Journey from Intern to Innovator – https://www.sim.edu.sg/articles-inspirations/chen-soon-keat-journey-from-intern-to-innovator
Hashtag: #SIMGlobalEducation #SIMGE #GlobalEducation #InternationalDegree #CareerReady #FutureSkills
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About SIM Global Education
SIM Global Education (SIM GE) is a leading private education institution in Singapore and the region. We offer more than 140 academic programmes ranging from diplomas and graduate diploma programmes to bachelor’s and master’s degree programmes with some of the world’s most reputable universities from Australia, Canada, Europe, United Kingdom, and the United States. SIM GE’s cohort is made up of 16,000 full- and part-time students and adult learners, of which approximately 36% are international students hailing from over 50 countries.
SIM GE’s holistic learning approach and culturally diverse learning environment aim to equip students with knowledge, industry skills and employability competencies, as well as a global perspective to succeed as future leaders in a fast-changing, technologically driven world.
For more information on SIM Global Education, visit sim.edu.sg
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