Ashley Purdum is a communications and marketing consultant specializing in spirits, advertising, music, and entertainment, with a proven track record of delivering results at the intersection of these industries. With extensive experience leading earned media strategies, high-impact events, and talent-led brand campaigns—and an early career in the music industry—she brings a deep understanding of the three-tier system and the entertainment space, paired with a genuine passion for both.
Clients often describe Ashley as a "Swiss Army Knife" for her versatile skillset and holistic marketing approach. In 2022, she founded Exit 80, a consultancy delivering scalable, tailor-made solutions to meet each client’s unique needs. By collaborating with a network of nimble, seasoned "solopreneurs," Exit 80 offers full-service results without unnecessary overhead or inefficiencies.
Ashley is also the driving force behind all brand communications and marketing for Four Walls, the Irish American Whiskey brand co-created by Glenn Howerton, Charlie Day, and Rob McElhenney (It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia and Welcome to Wrexham). Since its inception, she has helped position Four Walls from the idea on the back of a bar napkin into a standout player in the competitive spirits industry.
Additionally, Ashley consults for Spirits of the Night, where her entrepreneurial experience in building spirits brands from the ground up—and her background in sneakers marketing—played a key role in shaping the start-up’s vision and growth.
Known for blending headline-generating creativity with hands-on execution, Ashley has become an indispensable partner for both emerging and established brands.
About
past experience
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Before founding Exit 80, Ashley served as the in-house Communications Lead for Night After Night, an advertising agency specializing in helping brands connect with consumers through nightlife culture. She played a key role in the agency's rebrand, overseeing communications strategy and marketing execution across its portfolio while securing press coverage for the agency’s work and leadership. During her tenure, Ashley advised on campaigns for high-profile clients including Jägermeister, Pernod Ricard (The Glenlivet, Avión Tequila, Jameson Irish Whiskey, and Altos Tequila), The Bronx Brewery, and Trojan Brand Condoms.
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While at Night After Night, Ashley also gained hands-on experience in entrepreneurship and brand building as the Brand Director for Barking Irons Spirits, where she managed sales, operations, compliance, and trade and consumer communications for the made-in-New-York line of craft apple brandies and gin.
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Before fully immersing herself in the spirits industry, Ashley oversaw the digital and field marketing departments at Cornerstone Agency/The FADER magazine. Her clients spanned iconic brands like Nike/Converse, Diageo, Microsoft, Coca Cola and Pepsi/Mountain Dew. She also led over 100 album releases, the marketing for various avant-garde operas at The Met, and even a Tupac musical on Broadway.
During her four years as part of the "Fader Fam," Ashley became a pro at wrangling artists and media at the magazine's famed SXSW and CMJ "FADER Fort" events while planning and executing countless press events for clients. Professional highlights included collaborating with Converse on innovative programs like community recording studio Rubber Tracks, shoe launches, and concert series, and reinvigorating the 200-year-old Bushmills Irish Whiskey brand with ambassadors including Bon Iver, Elijah Wood and Aaron Paul.
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Before joining Cornerstone and The FADER, Ashley got her start at just 20 years old at +1, a mid-aughts Brooklyn-based record label. From running the VIP door at the now iconic Jelly Pool Parties to collaborating with Playboy on the multi-year Rock the Rabbit charity t-shirt campaign shot by Mick Rock, she gained invaluable experience in grassroots brand building and creative problem-solving while helping countless bands launch their careers.