Our Philosophy

BUILDING GOOD
IS THE lasting trust built between brands and their customers
and between the agency and our clients.
A belief in the potential of
every person, every client and every idea.
A commitment to give something back.
And a willingness to be measured against the highest standards of excellence, every day.

Our History

Our company was founded in 1984 by agency principals Larry Stone and Millie Ward. At that time our billings were $2 million, and we employed 4 people. Today our agency employs OVER 40 PEOPLE with billings exceeding $40 million.

WE ARE BOTH BIG AND SMALL. We maintain the nimbleness, flexibility and client service that only a small business can provide. But ingrained into every one of our employees is big agency thinking, creativity and credentials.

OUR WORK IS NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED. Stone Ward’s work has earned hundreds of local and regional awards and has been recognized nationally by the American Advertising Federation, the Advertising Club of New York, the prestigious New York-based CLIO awards, the Bank Marketing Association and National Healthcare Marketing awards. Most recently, Stone Ward was a finalist for the London International Advertising Awards as well as a finalist for theAAA O’Toole Awards.

Our Causes

  • American Heart Assocation
    The AHA seeks to reduce disability and death from cardiovascular diseases and stroke. Stone Ward provides the Central Arkansas Chapter of the AHA with promotional materials and collateral support for this organization’s largest local fundraising effort—the Arkansas Heart Ball. Over the past two years, this event has raised over $2 million dollars in total for the organization.Millie Ward and Larry Stone chaired the 2004 Heart Ball and in 2008, received the Jerry Davis Memorial Award. This honor is presented to individuals and their companies who are committed to the success of the American Heart Association and to their community on both a personal and professional level.

  • Arkansas Sheriffs' Youth Ranches
    Arkansas Sheriffs' Youth Ranches program brings together abused, neglected or abandoned children with caring adult mentors, who help guide them to become healthy productive adults themselves. Larry Stone, CEO and Executive Creative Director, is Chairman of the Board.

  • Bridge2Rwanda
    Bridge2Rwanda’s mission is to create a new generation of well-educated, entrepreneurial, servant leaders in Rwanda who will transform the nation. Over the last five years, this organization has partnered with Rwanda’s leaders to mobilize individuals and organizations around the world to establish significant schools, businesses and scholarship programs. Larry Stone and Millie Ward, Stone Ward Principals, serve as “borrowed talent” to help drive the marketing and creative efforts for this global organization.

  • Global Explorers
    Global Explorers is an educational nonprofit committed to sharing international immersion experiences with students and teachers. The core disciplines of the program are science, culture, service, and leadership. Tom Lillig, Director of Account Management, is President of the Board.

  • The Nature Conservancy
    The leading conservation organization in the world, more than a million members strong, The Nature Conservancy works to preserve the plants, animals and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on Earth. Stone Ward completed a pro-bono partnership with The Nature Conservancy in Illinois to celebrate its 50th Anniversary.

  • The Women's Foundation of Arkansas
    The Women's Foundation of Arkansas advances leadership, philanthropic and community service among women and girls in Arkansas. Its programs include a Girls of Promise mentoring program for young girls, educational symposiums for women, a grants program for strengthening women's and girls' roles in our society and a leadership academy that will soon be launched. Stone Ward President, Millie Ward, is a founding member and an active member of its Board of Directors.

  • United Way
    The United Way seeks to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of communities. All across the country, the United Way brings diverse people and resources together to address the most urgent issues in their communities. Stone Ward supports the United Way and its public service projects. John Rogers, CFO and Treasurer, is on the local Board of Directors.

  • War Memorial Stadium Commission
    Brenda Scisson, Stone Ward’s Public Relations Of Counsel, is serving her second Governor-appointed term on the War Memorial Stadium Commission. This football stadium serves as a second home for the Arkansas Razorback football team, the Arkansas state high school football finals and other special events.  Brenda is responsible for overseeing all marketing and promotion and was in charge of the new $1.3 million scoreboard that was installed in 2006. She also coordinated a new logo which Stone Ward’s Executive Creative Director, Larry Stone, designed, and the 60th anniversary celebration of the stadium. The Commission’s most current project that Brenda is involved with is the addition of a new press box that will be ready for the 2010 football season.

  • ARORA
    Jan Bollen, Assistant to the CEO and President, serves on the Board of Directors of ARORA, the Arkansas Regional Organ Recovery Agency. ARORA is an organization that makes every effort to provide organs and tissues for life-saving and life-enhancing transplantation and strives to be ethical and professional through providing care, dignity, honor and respect to all families, donors and recipients. Jan's son Kyle was killed on November 23, 2003, in an automobile accident, just nine days away from his 17th Birthday.  When he applied for his driver's license at age 15, he chose to be an organ donor and on that Sunday afternoon in November, Kyle became an organ donor along with the permission of his parents to honor his choice. From that day on, Jan has been involved with ARORA through support groups and family education. Kyle's unselfish decision improved the quality of life for 52 other individuals. He gave the ultimate gift.

  • Bethany Christian Services
    Bethany Christian Services, started in 1944, is the nation’s largest adoption agency that provides domestic and international adoptions services, foster care and counseling to women and families across the U.S. For over two years, Kyle Floyd, Stone Ward’s Director of Design, has provided his time and design skills to assist Bethany in seeking and thanking donors. He currently serves as the Vice President of the Board of Directors.

  • Christie's Corner
    In September 2007, Suzanne Smith, Stone Ward’s Director of First Impressions, opened “Christie’s Corner,” a counseling library established through Arkansas Hospice, designed to help families through the loss of a loved one. "Christie's Corner" is a free service to the community and has a special emphasis on helping children through the grieving process. There are currently two locations, one in Little Rock and another in Hot Springs, with a third location in the works for Russellville, Arkansas.

  • Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central AR
    Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arkansas serves our community with volunteers who mentor to children through one-on-one relationships designed to help Arkansas youth reach their potential. Two of our Stone Ward staffers, Suzanne Smith, our Director of First Impressions and Kyle Riley, Public Communications Account Executive, spend time as mentors for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arkansas. Suzanne recently signed on to be a mentor to a super young lady, Darielle. Hiking, picnics, visiting state parks or just talking are on the list of activities they will enjoy together. Kyle and his little brother, Caleb, enjoy adventures including climbing to the highest point of Pinnacle Mountain, uncovering ancient treasures at the Museum of Discovery and learning the latest moves from the Harlem Globetrotters. Their most challenging feat to date was taking on a demolished office at Stone Ward one Sunday afternoon, covered with mounds of old newspapers and post-it notes.

  • The Heart of Arkansas United Way
    John Rogers, Stone Ward’s CFO, has spent a number of years on the Board for the Heart of Arkansas United Way, and currently serves as Treasurer. The Heart of Arkansas United Way serves over 100 charities in Central Arkansas, providing a clearinghouse for workplace contributions and an oversight function for funded agencies. The Heart of Arkansas United Way ensures that they meet or exceed a high standard of excellence, accountability and service to the community.

  • Joann Cayce Charities
    This charity is located in Thornton, AR and distributes toys to poverty stricken families and children in South Arkansas and Northern Louisiana. Tommy Walker organized a toy drive so that these families can have a joyous Christmas.