Corporate Communications & GTM Strategy

Hi, I’m Jonathan Zalman. I lead corporate communications and go-to-market messaging for tech companies, especially during growth and change. I help organizations build the narrative, core assets, and proof points so they can execute with one voice.

I’m a former Wall Street Journal sports reporter, news editor, and investigative journalist turned B2B comms operator. I’ve led corporate comms, PR, executive messaging, and content engines inside cybersecurity, AI, and enterprise tech—including Flashpoint, where I helped scale the business from roughly $40M to ~$100M ARR through acquisitions and high-stakes news cycles.

Since then, I’ve partnered with fast-moving startups in growth mode to tighten their stories and build the communications and GTM foundations that hold up under pressure. I’m the steady hand who can take a half-true draft, a nervous exec, and a complicated product—and translate it into something accurate and usable, inside the company and out.

I live with my family in Portland, Oregon.

Jonathan-Zalman-headshot

A Partner in Building Stories and Strategies

From shaping client narratives and securing media coverage to reporting and editing my own work, I focus on clear, usable storytelling. Selected publications and clients include:

The Wall Street Journal logo with text 'The Wall Street Journal WSJ' in black and white.
CNN logo in red with white outline on black background.
Sandgarden logo with colorful wavy lines above the text.
Glass of dark beer on a wooden surface with a fork and a knife in the background.
The logo of The Washington Post in black Gothic font.
Logo with pink and blue dots arranged in a circular pattern above the word 'Valence' in blue text.
Black and white illustration of a stereo with cassette tape player, speakers, and various knobs and buttons.
ESPN logo in red and black.

Core Expertise

  • I help you get the story right—and deliver it across the company. This includes:

    • Positioning + narrative (what you do, why it matters, why now)

    • Proof points + evidence (claims, metrics, customer examples, product differentiators, audience insights, data storytelling)

    • Messaging architecture (value props, objections/FAQs, talk tracks, tone/voice guidelines)

    • Core assets (website messaging, pitch deck narrative, one-pagers, launch briefs)

    • Content engine, when needed (bylines, signature annual reports, POVs, case studies, customer stories)

  • I help you earn—and handle— attention without losing control of the facts.

    • Media strategy (target outlets, angles, timing, spokesperson prep)

    • Announcements (funding, product, acquisitions, security/news cycles)

    • Press materials (press releases, media kits, backgrounders/fact sheets, FAQs)

    • Media prep (interview prep, message discipline, tough-question rehearsal)

    • Thought leadership (op-eds, contributed articles, exec socials—credible and compelling, not generic)

    • Writer + editor brain (tight drafts, rigorous fact patterns, clean approvals)

  • I help leaders communicate clearly during growth, change, and high-stakes moments.

    • Executive messaging (talking points, speeches, thought leadership, memos, all-hands, Q&A prep)

    • Internal comms during change (M&A, re-orgs, leadership transitions, product shifts)

    • Stakeholder alignment (board/investor narratives, partner/customer comms, employee updates)

    • Comms planning + cadence (what to say, who needs to hear it, and when)

    • Crisis readiness (scenario planning, holding statements, response playbooks)

What’s It Like to Work With Me?

  • Kari Ritacco

    "Over the nearly three years that we collaborated, Jonathan consistently delivered outstanding results, particularly in the realms of PR, messaging, media relations, and executive communications. JZ is one of the most driven, strategic, and organized marketing leaders I’ve had the pleasure of working with, especially under pressure."

    — Kari Ritacco, Principal, RedIron PR

  • Michelle Dufty

    “Jonathan spearheaded website launches and built our brand by conceiving and overseeing our annual report that drove leads and press. He also boosted organic search performance and increased media visibility during key global events. His leadership and results made him invaluable.”

    — Michelle Dufty, CMO, CloudZero

  • Marty McCall

    “I love working with Jonathan. He executes, is always a step ahead, and drives our million-word AI glossary to boost our authority and growth—all while developing content that sounds human and scales like AI. He works with our team to craft articles and guides, translating complex ideas into compelling, digestible assets.”

    — Marty McCall, CMO, Sandgarden

  • Kunal Kohli

    “JZ balances high-level strategy with a hands-on approach, combining vision and execution effortlessly. He creates passionate, impactful client relationships that drive sales and reputation, seamlessly moving between crafting the big picture and delivering results on the ground.”

    — Kunal Kohli, Managing Director, Head of Revenue, Assembled Brands

Let’s see if there’s a fit.

Email me, message me on LinkedIn, or fill out the form below. I look forward to hearing from you.