Tom Northrop

Sentinel is a Layer 1 peer-to-peer bandwidth network powering decentralized VPN services and distributed AI network tooling.

• Owned marketing and communications strategy across multiple infrastructure products, defining positioning, messaging frameworks, and GTM execution.
• Developed and supported the expansion of Sentinel's brand identity as it transitioned from a singular decentralized Virtual Private Network (dVPN) product to a multi-faceted infrastructure offering that also included bandwidth-based services and tools focused on AI open data tooling
• Owned and scaled Sentinel’s social presence across multiple social channels, supporting product launches, governance updates, incident response, and ongoing community engagement.
• Planned and managed social content calendars, posting schedules, and distribution across platforms in coordination with product and engineering teams.
• Directed go-to-market strategy for new products and ecosystem initiatives, covering naming, product positioning, website copy, documentation, and launch campaigns.
• Work daily with engineering teams to translate complex technical specifications and work schedules into accurate public announcements, documentation, and media materials.
• Directed communications during high-visibility incidents, including governance disputes and third-party failures incorrectly attributed to the network, maintaining clarity, correcting misinformation, and leading on public narrative.
• Built Sentinel’s external presence across media, events, and community, resulting in sustained organic growth and strong brand recognition across the crypto ecosystem.
• Represented Sentinel at major global conferences, including Consensus, and ecosystem-specific events, supporting PR campaigns, executive briefings, and real-time communications.

Blockchain-enabled game distribution platform

• Directed communications across product messaging, ecosystem positioning, and developer outreach.
• Supported founders with narrative refinement for partnerships, investment discussions, and platform launches.
• Represented the project at major gaming and technology event Gamecom, as well as other regional conferences and events.

AI-powered sentiment and trading signal platform

• Planned and delivered social-first, culture-led narratives for an AI-driven trading platform, using humor, memes, and crypto-native language to drive engagement and shareability.
• Led narrative development around AI-driven intelligence models and platform evolution.
• Produced short-form and long-form messaging for social channels, community updates, and partner communications.
• Hosted recurring public discussions and community spaces to communicate updates and gather narrative feedback.
• Supported messaging during the platform’s transition toward agent-based trading systems.

EVM-based borrow and lending protocol

• Designed and organized early marketing and communications foundations, including positioning, narrative, and PR frameworks.
• Directed launch messaging and coordinated communications for industry events.

• Worked closely with founders to plan and deliver communications across enterprise and public sector initiatives.
• Led PR around major partnerships, including high-profile announcements with DNV GL and London Blockchain Week.
• Supported VeChainThor mainnet launch, helping explain the transition from ERC20 VEN to the Proof-of-Authority VET/THOR model for community, partners, and media.

This experience shaped my approach to clarity, accountability, and calm communication under public scrutiny.

• Delivered internal and external communications across a multi-county police force serving over two million residents under constant public scrutiny.
• Managed communications ranging from high-pressure operational messaging to community engagement campaigns.
• Worked closely with specialist units, leadership teams, and local and national media to support public trust and accurate reporting.