The Fixer Audiobook By Bradley Tusk cover art

The Fixer

My Adventures Saving Startups from Death by Politics

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The Fixer

By: Bradley Tusk
Narrated by: Bradley Tusk
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The famed political advisor to Uber, FanDuel, Lemonade, Tesla, and other startups reveals what really happens at the intersection of politics, tech, and business

Most new startups today are in highly regulated industries with strong incumbents - transportation, hotels, drones, energy, gaming, education, health care, cannabis, finance, liquor, insurance. The more startups try to snatch a piece of the establishment's pie, the more they risk running into a political wall. That's where Bradley Tusk comes in.

Described as "Silicon Valley's Political Savior" (Fast Company), "Uber's Political Genius" (Vanity Fair), and "Silicon Valley's Favorite Fixer" (TechCrunch), Tusk deploys the skills and knowledge he developed working with Chuck Schumer, Michael Bloomberg, Rod Blagojevich, and other political and business legends to help startups fight back. This book goes behind the scenes on how he helped stop the taxi industry from killing Uber in its infancy, how he held insurance companies at bay while startup Lemonade launched in each state, and how he helped online sports betting sites FanDuel and Draft Kings escape the regulatory death grip casinos tried to put on them.

As Tusk writes, "Every new company is essentially a tech startup. And when you disrupt someone in any industry, they don't say thank you. They punch you in the nose. These are the lessons startups need to learn to punch back and survive the clutches of politics." Combining a firsthand glimpse behind the curtain with tangible advice for how any new venture can play the political game, The Fixer is a must-listen for aspiring entrepreneurs. Includes a PDF of "A Quick Guide to Startup Politics".

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2018 Bradley Tusk (P)2018 Penguin Audio Business Development & Entrepreneurship Economic Entrepreneurship Management Management & Leadership New Business Enterprises Politics & Government Public Policy Business Insurance

Critic reviews

“Bradley Tusk is raw, smart, and focused. The Fixer will become the book you didn’t know your business depends on - dragging you through the mud and into the trenches of startups and politics.” (Scott Galloway, professor of marketing at NYU Stern School of Business and author of The Four)

“This roller-coaster ride of a personal business memoir ends with a series of case studies of what smart political pressure can really do (and often not do...not every story ends happily). The Fixer is the curtain (finally) being drawn on the often ugly inside reality of what happens when startups attempt to upend a comfortable (and profitable) regulatory order. Any startup founder attempting to eat some incumbent’s lunch (and that’s most of them) would be advised to read the lessons in The Fixer.” (Antonio García-Martínez, author of Chaos Monkeys)

“Disrupting any major industry means disrupting its politics, too. Bradley’s story about fighting for startups from Uber to Tesla, from delivering cannabis to marketing vitamins on Instagram, from mobile voting to fantasy sports, captures exactly what it’s like trying to navigate your startup through the muddy world of politics. This is a truly great story.” (Matt King, CEO of FanDuel)

Engaging Stories • Insightful Perspectives • Interesting Political Insights • Real-world Examples • Enjoyable Narrative
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You always hear about the product, the marketing, and the team. You never hear about the regulation and the art of understanding and playing politics. This book brings it to life through real, relevant, and tangible examples. Well written, well read.

The thin line between disruption and politics

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it's a quick listen, and very interesting. His solution of mobile voting for our current problems is intriguing. I had not thought of using blockchain for this but it makes total sense.

entertaining and instructive

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Loved the case studies from personal examples. Thesis is strong—low hanging fruit for startups in sole software largely taken. Now startups move to the next level—regulated industries and its harder. Here’s what the author learned after transitioning from politics to tech.

Defines the future for startups—harder

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When listening to this book it’s important to understand context. This was clearly created to generate publicity for Tusk and his team, as they recently raised an investment fund and are actively working with companies like the many listed in the book.

As an interested third party, someone who enjoys learning about the intersection of politics and business, I was engaged by the gritty details of Brad’s “war stories.” I enjoyed his candor and tone, as well as the insights that he provided.

I didn’t love the changing narrations that occurred- it sounds like Tusk did an original cut and they patched things in after the fact based on random changes. It was a bit distracting, but it was tolerable.

I liked what Tusk had to say and found the book engaging, but this was not written as a full guide for startups, it is very clearly a memoir/marketing piece for Tusk. If you come in with level-set expectations you will enjoy this book.

Great story okay narration

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Familiar with the entrepreneurial worlds Tusk tells tales for - this was a very enjoyable perspective. The narration by Tusk is pleasant as well as engaging to listen to.

A good variety of stories on the actions behind headlines of many major politicians and startups that blew up

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The book and its author are very interesting. I am sure being a fast-talking political consultant plays well in New York, but it does not play well as a narrator. It’s unfortunate because the substance of the book is very interesting and it’s well written.

Fast Talking Author Should Not Be The Narrator

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I'm not sure what I love best about this guy. He saved us from Anthony Wiener. Helped Bloomberg get elected Mayor of NYC and made cabs and shared rides convenient here. Now, he's taking on mobile voting. Highly recommended.

Bradley Tusk Saves the World!

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It’s hard to make interesting and compelling stories out of regulatory challenges, but this book did. I recommend for anyone working with state, local or federal electeds or regulators.

Helpful and fun

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I found this book to be exceptionally well done and insightful. Glad it was read by author. I don't share his politics but I found the book to be a thoroughly enjoyable listen.

Terrific book

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I heard about Bradley Tusk through a company i invested in. When i saw he had a book, it was a must read for me. Enjoyed the stories and lessons covered in the book. Great read for any business, politics, or startup fanatic.

Great stories and lessons about startups and regulation/politics

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