If you’ve ever taken a stroll down the Beltline or been out and about in the city, the chances are you’ve seen someone wearing a shirt that says, “ATLANTA INFLUENCES EVERYTHING.”
It’s a phrase the city has fully embraced as theirs. More than just a clothing brand – it’s a lifestyle. And the creators behind the renowned brand – Ian Ford, Bem Joiner, and Tory Edwards – know what mark the city has left on pop culture.
“Bem and I used to work for a marketing agency, and we went to go pitch Atlanta as a major city to announce a new exclusive sneaker company,” says Ford. “A contact reached out to us and said that they didn’t feel like Atlanta was a big enough market to put dollars behind for this campaign. It was crazy to us because this was going to be an opportunity to shed light on the city of Atlanta.”
“I was on the phone with Bem later and he was going off on one of his rants, and he just yells out: ‘How do these people not realize that Atlanta influences everything?’”
Just like that, a brand was born.
After sending some early mock-ups of merchandise with the new mantra and receiving positive feedback from friends and family, the guys quickly noticed this brand was taking a life of its own.
On top of merchandise, the company also offers creative consultancy, content creation, art direction, and event production. The creators feel a responsibility not only to represent their city, but to give Atlanta the platform and voice it deserves in American culture.
“The foundation of Atlanta’s influence is wide and deep. We focus on the 3 C’s when talking about the influence that Atlanta has: civic, corporate, and cultural,” says Joiner. “The civic influence started with Dr. King and his voice: there was a responsibility from us as an Atlanta brand to justify our statement and do this city justice.”
The second C is corporate. Some of the most recognizable brands in the world are housed in Atlanta – from Coca-Cola to CNN and Home Depot to Delta.
“These brands are here for a reason,” says Joiner.
Lastly, Atlanta is the city of culture.
“Atlanta lays the foundation for urban culture, which then dictates American pop culture, which then influences the rest of the world. So, it all truly starts in Atlanta," Joiner says.
Along with that culture comes sports.
“There’s no other way to put it: Atlanta is a sports city,” says Ford. “This city supports their teams whether they’re winning or losing. The sports culture is real down here.”
The creators of Atlanta Influences Everything got to experience that support themselves when they attended an Atlanta United match at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. They’ve seen firsthand how Atlanta United has helped shape their city for the better.
“The thing about Atlanta United is that they lead with culture,” says Edwards. “They established their brand as culture-first, and they’re always authentic to their city. It’s the same mindset that we have at Atlanta Influences Everything. I think anybody who is a fan of Atlanta United would equally be a fan of Atlanta Influences Everything.”
While the guys come to matches and support their city’s soccer team, they are keeping busy with their company. They even hinted at a possible upcoming collab with Atlanta United.
“Man, I mean I really don’t know how much I can talk about it,” laughs Tory. “Let’s just say we’re excited for what Atlanta Influences Everything has in store with Atlanta United.”
Story by Molly von Eschenbach / Photos by Casey Sykes © Atlanta United
© 2026 Atlanta United FC
.png){kind=logo}
.jpeg?auto=webp)
.jpeg?auto=webp)
.jpeg?auto=webp)
.jpeg?auto=webp)
.jpeg?auto=webp)
.jpeg?auto=webp)