Communications counsel

that just makes sense.

Solutions simplified.

More than 30 years of experience means quickly and thoroughly assessing your situation, stakeholder risk factors, and goals — then promptly designing a scalable plan in response.

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CRISIS COMMUNICATIONS

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EXECUTIVE COACHING

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MEDIA RELATIONS

AND TRAINING

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troubleshooting YOUR COMMS CULTURE

Jonathan Freed

has the experience.

JONATHAN has worked in the private, public, and nonprofit sectors ranging from the newsroom to the board room and from the White House press room down the stairs to the Situation Room.


He has worked as a public relations and marketing communications executive, and as a national spokesperson, at Fortune 30 - 250 companies including insurance, airlines, banking, utilities as well as in public health, managed care organizations, research and public policy, economic development, national defense, and the intelligence community.

CRISIS COMMUNICATIONS

Jonathan has deep experience in crisis communications and issues management as a strategist and on-camera spokesperson.

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He served as the Chief of Strategic Communications for the National Security Agency, brought in to reintroduce NSA to the public following the leaks of Edward Snowden, help restore the intelligence agency’s reputation, and grow public trust for the brand and its leadership.

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State Farm Insurance asked him to lead catastrophe and crisis communications during the class action litigation environment created by Hurricane Katrina.

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Jonathan was recruited by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York where he used his private sector experience to help the Fed be better understood by Main Street during its controversial efforts to resolve the Financial Crisis.

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At US Airways, Jonathan was in communications leadership when Flight 1549 with Sully Sullenberger and crew landed in the Hudson River.

Whether your stakeholders are customers, regulators, lawmakers, partners, suppliers, government officials, shareholders — or you're just worried about what your neighbors will think — Jonathan understands the nuanced risks.

He knows how to change the dynamic and protect your reputation.


If you are facing a crisis now, there's a need to move quickly. Gone are the days when you can try to wait it out. Not in a crisis? Great, it's the best time to help you develop a crisis plan tailored to your company's structure.

EXECUTIVE COACHING

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Do you have to repeatedly explain your thoughts, even to seasoned professionals?

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Do people seem to avoid making regular eye contact with you in meetings, or just walking down the hallway?

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Does it take you longer than you would like to write... well, anything?

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Do you keep thinking that you should feel more comfortable in a meeting, presenting, or in a one-on-one conversation?

Being an effective communicator is central to your success as a leader. Sure, you know that. But are you owning it if that's not happening?


Whether it's in person or in writing, how you express yourself is how you are defining yourself. It's true. So, don't kid yourself — you need to communicate in a way that moves people, even if they don't realize they're acting as you intend.


Jonathan's communications coaching sessions are tailored around your personality and your specific goals. It's a judgment-free zone.


The sessions can be structured or free-flowing. It's all about how you best learn and develop.

MEDIA TRAINING

Jonathan will get you ready for the interview. He has more than 30 years of public presentation, television, and radio experience and has coached CEOs and other executives from household name brands as well as the heads of government agencies.

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He has prepared witnesses for televised public hearings on Capitol Hill, testimony before regulatory and oversight bodies, a variety of legal proceedings, and appearances on network television from news programs to late night talk shows.

The key is knowing how to make you comfortable in a public situation — rather than forcing you to be something, or somebody, you're not.


If you have a 'tell', Jonathan will spot it

and help you neutralize it.


You'll also discover how your objectives and those of a reporter are more in sync than you might think.​​​​​​​​

MEDIA RELATIONS

Jonathan has years of journalism experience at the network and local level in the United States and Canada as a reporter, news anchor, political bureau chief, and managing editor. He has covered the White House and Capitol Hill. And he was a network news correspondent for CBS News and CNN.

Does the media not get you?

Jonathan specializes in helping organizations and their leaders define themselves and re-introduce their brands to skeptical journalists and audiences. He repairs broken relationships.

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ON-CAMERA SPOKESPERSON

Jonathan can both prepare the message and deliver it for you on camera, or in front of a crowd.

He has represented leading brands on live television and radio for corporate announcements and crises attracting international attention.

TROUBLESHOOTING YOUR

COMMUNICATIONS CULTURE

Jonathan will assess your organization's communications, both internal and external — critical forces affecting how your enterprise operates.


He will identify the root negative narratives operating against you — distinguishing symptom from cause.


The two are commonly confused. If you've tried everything and it's still not better, that's probably why.

There is a place where your own messaging is holding your business back. What you're saying to people may not be what they're hearing.


That's especially important for your employees. If your staff doesn't understand your plan they can't get with the program. And that means they're not effective ambassadors of your brand.

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What messages are you actually sending to your customers and partners or lawmakers and regulators?

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What do the reporters who cover you really think of you?

There are places your communications processes could be optimized. Jonathan will identify the issues and partner with you on how to fix them.​

Jonathan was nominated for a national Emmy Award and his reporting helped CNN win a Peabody Award.

30 years of experience

in strategic communications and journalism


(actually, more)

Designed public relations campaigns generating hundreds of earned placements, millions of impressions, and multi-million dollar ad value

Contact today.

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Freed Strategy

Based in Washington, DC.

Traveling anywhere.

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