Conley Fitzpatrick is head of marketing for PRONGHORN, a stand-alone business established to create a scalable template for diversifying an industry. The initial aim will be to cultivate the next generation of Black entrepreneurs, employees and executive leaders within the spirits industry through sustainable investment, incubation and recruitment. Conley leads all marketing efforts for the newly launched company, including brand development and strategy, PR, media, and commercial marketing strategy, as well as serving as the primary consultant for incubator and accelerator brands that Pronghorn will be investing in. With 15 years of experience, Conley has leveraged her vast expertise and innovative vision for marketing strategy to build successful brands for some of the top spirits companies and emerging independent suppliers.
She began her career on the agency side across a diverse group of verticals, including financial, pharma, technology, and spirits. In 2014, she moved brand-side, leading marketing efforts for the US Open Series, Fed Cup and Davis Cup at the USTA. She then returned to her spirits roots and joined Diageo, in both commercial roles with strategic accounts and brand roles for CÎROC Ultra-Premium Vodka and Deleon Tequila. In her brand roles, she served as the steward of the joint venture relationship with Combs Enterprises, overseeing brand planning, media, experiential marketing campaigns, sampling, and marketing efforts for limited edition product launches like Cîroc Summer Watermelon.
After five years with Diageo, Conley brought her industry knowledge to early-stage startups as Chief Marketing Officer. As the CMO for Dano’s Tequila and 21Seeds Tequila, Conley created brand vision and marketing strategy, oversaw consumer research activities, built media plans, established ambassador programs, and oversaw the launch of eCommerce sites and commercial marketing efforts for the brands’ growing distribution footprint. She then consulted with emerging brand, Lobos 1707 Tequila, to define its marketing strategy and execute the plan, prior to joining Pronghorn.
Conley graduated from the College of Charleston. She is an active mentor and resides in Fairfield, Connecticut with her husband and daughter.