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JD Prater

Startup marketing leader

How do you eat an elephant?
One bite at a time.

Over my career, I've learned that challenges that seem daunting, overwhelming, and even impossible can be accomplished gradually by taking on just a little at a time.

About

jd prater profile picture

Having led marketing teams at startups and hyperscalers, JD is an experienced, hands-on marketing executive who thrives in fast-paced environments and is comfortable designing and executing go-to-market strategies to achieve company goals.

As a modern storyteller, he can identify the crux of a company's value prop and simplify the pitch to its most critical and resonant essence.

As a builder, JD thrives taking things from zero to one. Whether it's building the GTM strategy, a high-performing team, a yearly forecast, or personas, he gets energy from transforming ideas into business outcomes.

As a strategist, he's a big picture thinker who loves getting lost in the details. He's comfortable working with the executive team to set and build a marketing vision that is embraced throughout the company and translated into short-term goals and long-term goals.

Outside of work, JD enjoys mentoring marketers in coordination with Product Marketing Alliance and First Round Capital.

Fun facts

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

Hobbies

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

Experience

Marketing

15+ years

Product Marketing

7+ years

Growth Marketing

10+ years

SaaS experience

8+ years

Manager

8+ years

SEE FULL CV →

Startups marketing consultant

Workshops

Does this sound familiar, “I really don’t know where to go from here”? Whether you’re a founder trying to secure funding or a product marketer looking to transform your company's positioning, I tailor working sessions based on your needs to ensure you walk away with clarity and actionable next steps.
Strategic narratives and positioning
Messaging and copy frameworks
Pricing and packaging

Advising

Designed for early-stage product marketer leaders, we will design an individualized plan, participate in biweekly coaching sessions, and receive personalized feedback on their work. Leverage my 15 years of marketing experience to help you see around corners and develop viable and effective marketing solutions. By working through your challenges, we can work together to solve your problems and find success faster than on our own.
1:1 personal coaching
Career mentorship
Marketing advisor

Interviewing

Feeling stuck in a career rut or job search? Can't get past the first interview? When it comes to landing a job, it's all about your interviewing skills. Having worked at AWS, Google, and Quora, I can help you overcome your interview fears, refine your pitch, tackle the hardest interview questions, and define your super powers. Together, we’ll work to build your confidence, improve your resume, and land your dream job.
Interview prep
Resume review and feedback
Offer negotiation

Interests

Surfing into the sunset in Carcavelos, Portugal
Beautiful tonal blue basketball court in Miami
Bryn's colourful skateboard
Paddleboarding off the beach of Barcelona
An ambient James Blake festival performance
Two clownfish swimming around Malaysian coral