ROGERS, Ark. – USL Arkansas has announced the selection of Stone Ward, a national advertising agency with offices in Rogers, Chicago, and Little Rock, to lead the development of the club’s brand identity. After an exhaustive evaluation of top marketing and branding firms in the region, USL Arkansas leaders were drawn to Stone Ward’s genuine passion for the project and extensive experience in soccer branding.
Stone Ward will play a pivotal role in crafting the brand identity of USL Arkansas. With a naming suggestion campaign already underway, USL Arkansas and Stone Ward will continue gathering community input and develop and launch the official team name, crest, colors, and brand experience in the coming months. Notably, the club has already received over 1,200 name ideas, underscoring the enthusiasm in the region for this new professional sports venture.
“Selecting Stone Ward as our partner was a natural choice for USL Arkansas. They have a sincere passion for what we’re doing here,” said Chris Martinovic, co-founder of USL Arkansas. “Stone Ward’s local presence and proven excellence align perfectly with our vision. We’re confident this partnership will add to the growing soccer culture in Northwest Arkansas while resonating with fans and bringing our club’s identity to life.”
With extensive expertise in soccer branding and campaign development, Stone Ward has partnered with national and international soccer brands, including U.S. Soccer, the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), Copa America, and Como 1907. With their experience unlocking insights from soccer fans to crafting and executing dynamic brand campaigns, Stone Ward emerged as the ideal choice to create USL Arkansas’s brand identity, helping the club establish a strong presence in Northwest Arkansas and across the region. Furthermore, their local leadership in NWA equips them with an important understanding of the region’s dynamics.
“We’re truly excited about this partnership with USL Arkansas, and the opportunity to infuse the vibrant spirit of Northwest Arkansas into the club’s identity,” shared Brett Parker, managing partner for Stone Ward in Northwest Arkansas. “We’re not just talking about soccer; we’re talking about embracing the love for the game and tapping into the profound passion for sports and teamwork that’s deeply rooted in this ever-growing community.”
“The partnership with Stone Ward is a game-changer for us as we begin to create a distinct identity for this club,” said Warren Smith, co-founder of USL Arkansas. “With Stone Ward’s support, we’re ready to firmly plant our roots in the region, forge meaningful connections with our fans, and cultivate a soccer culture that resonates with our community.”
About Stone Ward:
Stone Ward is a full-service advertising agency with teams in Rogers, Little Rock, and Chicago. Founded with a focus on helping good companies succeed and on making a positive and meaningful difference in the communities it serves, Stone Ward is a company of partners who share a passion for creativity and a commitment to “Building Good.” Over the last 39 years, the agency has integrated and evolved its capabilities in research and strategy; advertising and design; media services; public relations and employee engagement; digital development and social communications; moving picture production through its 360 Filmworks; and print production. To learn more, visit stoneward.com.