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Hi, I'm JD Prater

Marketing leader for challengers and builders

I build narratives and systems that help teams make better decisions and grow.

About

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I’m a VP of Marketing with experience leading teams across agencies, startups, and hyperscale tech companies. I work best in fast-moving environments where clarity matters, decisions have real consequences, and strategy only counts if it turns into results.

At my core, I’m a storyteller. I focus on finding the crux of a company’s value — the one idea that actually matters — and translating it into clear, resonant positioning that customers understand and teams can align around.

I’m also a builder. I enjoy going from zero to one: defining go-to-market strategy, building high-performing teams, shaping annual plans, and creating the systems that help good ideas scale. I get energy from turning strategy into momentum, not just decks.

As a strategist, I balance big-picture thinking with attention to detail. I partner closely with executive teams to set direction, make tradeoffs explicit, and ensure marketing priorities connect to both near-term execution and long-term growth.

Alongside my day-to-day work, I mentor marketers and founders, helping teams sharpen positioning, improve go-to-market execution, and make better decisions with more confidence.

Experience

Marketing Leadership

Driving clarity, alignment, and systems for cross-functional teams across early-stage startups, growth-stage tech, and hyped markets.

Product & GTM Strategy

Championing product positioning, narrative differentiation, and go-to-market playbooks that scale with the business.

Brand as Infrastructure

Translating brand clarity into durable advantage and operational leverage.

Growth & Systems Execution

Turning strategic diagnosis into repeatable, scalable systems — not just campaigns.

Organizational Impact

Advising leadership teams to make better decisions faster and move confidently when stakes are high.

SEE FULL CV →

Consulting and advising

How I work with teams

Teams bring me in when things feel complex, high-stakes, or stuck. When there’s pressure to move fast, but moving faster without clarity would make things worse. I help leaders slow down just enough to make better decisions, then build the systems and confidence needed to move forward.

If you’re navigating complexity, misalignment, or a marketing function that’s moving without traction, I’m always open to a conversation.
Short, focused advisory engagements
Strategic diagnosis and direction-setting
Embedded work with leadership teams
Ongoing thought partnership during moments of change
Diagnosing where marketing systems break down

Interests

gravel cycling
Surfing into the sunset in Carcavelos, Portugal
coffee
Beautiful tonal blue basketball court in Miami
Sunset over a beach with a small stream curving toward the ocean and a person running near the water.
Bryn's colourful skateboard
Paddleboarding off the beach of Barcelona
An ambient James Blake festival performance
Two clownfish swimming around Malaysian coral

Fun facts

Grew up on a small farm
Father of 2 kids
Worked on Masters in Cairo
Love DIY home projects

Hobbies

Cycling (cyclocross and gravel)
Surfing the Santa Cruz waves
Hiking in the coastal Redwoods & Rocky Mountains
Working crosswords & puzzles