A vehicle for emotion

by Hailey Pruitt with Jake Ward (’22)

“Light burnt orange was the color of my overwhelming emotion as I realized I was traveling for a job I had created. My office for the day was the porch of Bob Goff’s retreat center in San Diego. I was editing video footage to share a message of truth that would better the world around me. This was a dream come true.” 

It’s these individual moments throughout the adventure of a lifetime that Jake Ward (’22) of Ward Media Co. says “makes all the hard stuff worth it.” 

After graduating from Harding with a bachelor’s degree in media production and integrated marketing communication, Ward began his career building the University’s video brand in the communications and marketing office. He later earned an MBA from Harding, built his own personal brand and eventually launched his company, Ward Media Co., now located in Northwest Arkansas. He continues to do contract work for Harding but spends most of his days helping couples, families, business owners and thought leaders share their stories.  

“When I was in high school, I thought I wanted to be an engineer. I remember sitting in English class, and — because it was a small Arkansas town — my cousin was the teacher. We were talking about rhetoric, and she showed a video of this political speech that was so boring I wanted to leave. But then she showed the same speech in a video that was edited and animated with great voice actors. It was the most intense experience I’d ever had. When it was over, I was ready to respond. 

The words were the same as the first video. The content was the same. Everything was the same except the presentation. In that moment I realized the power of editing. It creates emotion and causes people to feel emotions they’ve never felt before. 

We all want to live full lives. We work to climb the corporate ladder, go on trips, work good jobs. But none of these mean anything without real emotion. Emotions deepen every experience and make life worth living. The work I do helps people experience life to the fullest and hopefully grow closer to God. 

My friend Leroy is a guitarist, and he loves music because it connects with people. He says it’s not even really about the music. That’s just a vehicle for emotion. We all just need to find the right vehicle that helps us connect with other people’s souls. For me, it’s video.”  

Ward’s time at Harding equipped him with video, communication and business skills as well as helping him build a strong professional network. From medical missions in Zambia and Guatemala to engaging with Ukrainian refugees in Poland and hanging out with Bob Goff in California, his opportunities continue to expand. 

Ward describes his company as 40% video and 60% business, outreach, marketing, internal finances, etc. His education and experience at Harding prepared him with technical skills — like lighting from campus photographer Jeff Montgomery and film collaboration and direction from Brian Hudkins — as well as a greater understanding of marketing strategies. 

“You put all the pieces together in a way that is unique to you, and that’s how you make your contribution to the world.”

His contribution takes the form of a video production company based in Northwest Arkansas that focuses on promotional and marketing video and weddings. In the future, Ward hopes to become a household name in Arkansas and around the country.