First Western Bank

Key Takeaways
- Our 20-year partnership has helped First Western Bank grow their presence across multiple states
- Clear, consistent messaging reinforces FWB as the bank people can trust
- A media mix designed to meet audiences wherever they spend their time
- Big jumps in website traffic and strong interest in key services like mortgage lending
Overview
First Western Bank has been part of life in the Upper Midwest since 1964. They’re the kind of bank that knows your name, shows up in the community and does things the right way. Today their footprint stretches across North Dakota, Minnesota, South Dakota and Arizona.
We’ve partnered with FWB for more than two decades, supporting that growth every step of the way with strategy, messaging and creative that highlight what makes them different. The goal? Help more people see FWB as the bank they can count on.
Challenge
As FWB expanded into new markets, they needed to strengthen brand recognition and introduce themselves to audiences who might not know them yet. The challenge was making a growing, multi-state bank feel just as personal and trustworthy as the hometown original.
Strategy & Approach
We centered everything around the heart of the FWB brand: real people who genuinely care about their customers.
To boost awareness, we brought in some familiar faces, including NFL quarterbacks Carson Wentz and Cam Miller and NFL fullback Hunter Luepke, all NDSU Bison alumni with serious local credibility. That visibility helped open doors in new markets and reconnect with long-time customers.
Our media plan cast a wide, intentional net: broadcast and cable TV for broad reach, out-of-home to stay top of mind and digital channels like online display, online video, CTV, YouTube and Meta to meet people where they scroll, stream and browse.
Execution
Our team built a cohesive campaign that showed FWB at its best.
- TV spots built name recognition in key markets
- Digital and static billboards kept FWB visible in growing service areas
- Online video and display strengthened reach and frequency
- CTV, YouTube and Meta brought the message into people’s day-to-day digital routines
Results
- Increased awareness thanks to high profile creative featuring Wentz, Miller and Luepke
increase in social media traffic to the website
increase in mortgage loan landing page traffic
increase in home page traffic
Summary
Our long-running partnership with FWB has always been about helping them grow while staying true to who they are. This campaign did exactly that. With smart media choices, relatable creative and a clear message of trust, FWB strengthened its presence in multiple states and connected with customers in meaningful ways.
Creative

Social Media Ad

Social Media Ad

Social Media Ad

Billboard

Billboard