Ashley Ann (Molton) Landers
Fluent in Spanish, Ashley started her career in San Antonio at the nation’s largest (at the time) Hispanic advertising agency, Bromley Communications, where she led campaigns on global packaged goods brands like Nestle and General Mills. While part of a global network out of Paris, France, she managed multi-agency teams from one of the original “mad men” agencies in Lower Manhattan. A month after becoming Principal and CEO of Texas Creative, Ashley structured a global agency partnership with an Australian-based firm to be the US Agency of Record for a global sports-betting company. Under Ashley’s leadership, Texas Creative has seen tremendous growth, offering a full spectrum of services, including branding, digital marketing, advertising campaigns, and software development. Her dedication to staying at the forefront of industry trends and technologies has ensured that Texas Creative remains at the cutting edge of the ever-evolving marketing landscape, solidifying its reputation as a top-tier marketing agency in the Lone Star State and beyond.
In 2023, Ashley was recognized by the San Antonio Business Journal as a 40 under 40 winner, an award that honors young business and community leaders. She is secretary of the Board of Directors and chairs the Policy Subcommittee for Methodist Healthcare Ministries (MHM), a billion-dollar organization that serves 74 counties throughout Texas.
Ashley is married to Jeffrey Landers from El Dorado, Arkansas. Together they have three children, Jake (9), Birdie (7), and Sonny (2), and an insatiably clingy Vizsla named Hero.
Visit her company website at texascreative.com.
What is your favorite Texarkana memory?
The powder puff football games at Pleasant Grove for juniors and seniors.
Where was your favorite place to eat in Texarkana?
It is hands down, TLC! I get a regular, ketchup only, and all the seasoning on the fries.
Were you a Hawk, Leopard, Razorback, or Tiger?
Not just a Hawk but a LADY HAWK! We won second in State for volleyball. The state tournament was in San Marcos at Texas State University. That’s how I ended up going to college there and, ultimately, making South Texas my home.
How do you describe Texarkana to your friends?
Most of my friends in San Antonio haven’t been to Texarkana, but occasionally, I’ll meet someone new who asks where I’m from (because of my accent), and they’ll either say, “The place that’s twice as nice!” or, “I’ve driven through there once and ate at this awesome cafeteria.” (Bryce’s! Never forget!)
Who is someone from Texarkana who impacted your life?
My best friends from high school, and still to this day, Holly (Arrington) Hickerson, Ashley (Orr) Gibbs, Jordan (Wright) James, and Goodwin (Lawrence) McCutcheon. I’m so grateful to get to do life with them! They are the kind of friends that, no matter how far away we are or how much time has passed, we can always pick up right where we left off.
What do you love about Texarkana?
When I lived there, Texarkana felt so big. Now that I live in San Antonio, I love going back because of how intimate and rural it feels. No matter how much time has passed or what’s changed around it, Texarkana, as a community, stays dependable and familiar. That’s why it will always feel like home to me.
What do you miss about Texarkana?
This probably has to do with the time in my life that I lived there, but I miss cruising The Shuffle with friends, with the windows rolled down, singing songs at the top of our lungs.
What would you change about Texarkana?
Adding a luxury or boutique hotel, maybe? I would definitely visit more often if that were the case. My husband and I have three children, so it is hard for us to stay with friends or family because of the amount of space we take up.
What words do you live by?
“Surround yourself with people who are better than you.” It’s a lens I use to make sure I’m constantly growing and challenging myself and that I remember there’s always something to learn from someone else. It applies to literally every aspect of life: professionally, spiritually, as a friend, a mom, a wife... You have to seek out people who challenge you, and whom you admire because they will make you better.
Anything we haven’t asked about that you would like to share?
It blows my mind that I only lived in Texarkana for three years in high school! I hadn’t ever thought of that until I answered the question above. My time in Texarkana made such an impact on who I am today, and so many of my favorite memories came from that time. I love going home to visit friends and family. I love telling my kids and husband stories about my time playing sports for the Lady Hawks or about the different school dances, rivalries, and traditions. Texarkana is a truly special place. Also, my baby brother lives there now and is a coach at Twin City Crossfit and the Sportsplex, so shout out to Blake Morgan! He is the best dancing, most fun human you will ever meet, so go see him if you’re looking for a baseball coach or trainer! He also represented Texarkana this year in the Hyrox World Championships in England! He’s way cooler than I am.
TXK Roots is Texarkana Magazine’s forum to highlight and honor Texarkana natives who have accomplished big things in the world. These folks may have relocated, but they took the values, education, work ethic and creativity instilled in them by growing up in this unique border city and used these qualities to blaze extraordinary trails. We asked them to share their thoughts about growing up here. No matter how far from Texarkana they may find themselves, we will always consider them our neighbors and we are proud to claim them as forever members of our extended Texarkana community. After all, “everyone is famous in their hometown!”
