FirstBank shields you from the crazy people

A get-rich-quick expert slaves away as a bellboy. A guy's date is a psycho with a boyfriend. Another guy takes pills from someone impersonating a doctor. Those are the "twist" endings in some new FirstBank spots from TDA Advertising & Design. They warn against get-rich-quick schemes and tout the bank's "mobile alerts" designed to let customers "know about trouble before it happens." FirstBank is, of course, seeking to differentiate itself from larger competitors by stressing its consumer-focused business philosophies and service offerings, etc. Sorry to spoil the surprises, but I'm up for a customer-service job at Bank of America, and being a big jerk and ruining people's days is a requirement. Now, all I have to do is hand over my first born and I'm in!

—Posted by David Gianatasio

Filed under Finance, FirstBank, Gianatasio, TDA
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FirstBank bringing its lovely lobby outdoors

"Enjoy the bank lobby, even if you bank online." That's the headline on a bunch of new FirstBank billboards from TDA Advertising & Design that feature actual lobby items—a wood-paneled desk and chair, a potted plant, velvet waiting-line ropes—suspended high above the streets of Denver and Boulder, Colo. Thanks for the effort, FirstBank, but nobody enjoys bank lobbies anywhere—or misses their faux-friendly charms. Having said that, we do have that homeless man sitting atop a billboard in Texas in an effort to get his own home. He should move to these Colorado billboards! They're much more livable. The desk one is basically an entire home office. But seriously, it is an ironic and sobering juxtaposition. And if the economic "recovery" continues without gains in salaries and jobs, a whole lot more of us could wind up ad-sitting soon.

—Posted by David Gianatasio

Filed under Finance, FirstBank, Gianatasio, TDA
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Spot the Komodo dragon, win free checking

I'd begun to worry about FirstBank and TDA Advertising & Design. Client and agency change creative direction approximately every eight hours, yet I hadn't heard from them in a while. Whew. They're back now with some cute "Where's Waldo?" parodies. According to the new ads, consumers can "win" free checking accounts at FirstBank by spotting giant, colorful, impossible-to-miss bacon cheeseburgers, Komodo dragons and Seawolf-class attack submarines in various unexpected locales. It's probably wise to make the puzzles easy. This way, if anyone anywhere has any money left at all, FirstBank's got a shot.

—Posted by David Gianatasio

See also:
FirstBank gives giant ads to tiny businesses
FirstBank not quite as evil as the other guys

Filed under Finance, FirstBank, Gianatasio, TDA
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FirstBank gives giant ads to tiny businesses

The indefatigable Colorado team of FirstBank and TDA Advertising & Design change marketing tactics as often as Microsoft and Crispin Porter + Bogusky. The latter make headlines worldwide. FirstBank and TDA, well, they'll always have a home here on AdFreak! No ski masks or light planes this time—instead, the bank has launched an outdoor and online pitch that includes promotions for various local small businesses. "We care about small business," the ads explain. Now, wags might ask why FirstBank would start making ads for other people when its own ads haven't been so hot. Still, Abbey the babysitter, Rod the wedding singer, Joan the math tutor and Mrs. Bennett the piano teacher will appreciate it (and they've probably never heard of Cannes or the Clios anyway). FirstBank swears they're real customers. Who knows, the way the economy's going, GM, Chrysler or Bank of America could be requesting some of this free-ad action.

—Posted by David Gianatasio

Filed under Finance, FirstBank, Gianatasio, TDA
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FirstBank not quite as evil as the other guys

Colorado's FirstBank, with help from Denver agency TDA Advertising & Design, will make a bold contemporary statement of sorts on Friday above Coors Field during the Phillies-Rockies game with a small plane towing a huge sign that reads: "This is the closest thing we have to a private jet." No cushy executive perks or bailout bucks for these toque-topped, frostbitten local bankers. In your face, Bank of America! Actually, FirstBank's earlier effort inviting customers to bank in ski masks probably came closer to capturing the tenor of these tense times. If it really wants to generate some buzz (ha!) with its plane, it should shower Coors Field with money.

—Posted by David Gianatasio

Filed under Finance, FirstBank, Gianatasio, TDA
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Crime humor is doing quite well in bank ads

FirstBank in Colorado invites consumers to "Bank in your ski mask without getting arrested" in a multi-channel push from TDA Advertising & Design touting the financial institution's suite of mobile services. It's a one-note joke that gets the point across fairly well. Let's hope the public doesn't misconstrue the message, or else the bank will have a run on its personal loan products as patrons attempt to make bail.

—Posted by David Gianatasio

Filed under Finance, FirstBank, Gianatasio, TDA
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No wonder the bankers are getting irritable

Given the recent performance of banks, consumers wouldn't be in the mood for a commercial that depicts warm-and-friendly bankers. So, a new spot for Colorado-based FirstBank (via TDA Advertising & Design in Boulder) is probably smart to show us a FirstBanker who's a bit mean—but mean on his customers' behalf. Show up wearing the same shirt as a FirstBank customer, and he'll rip it right off you. Order the same elaborate coffee concoction, and he'll knock it to the floor. It's all a build-up to an onscreen super that explains what he's been up to: "We're here to protect your identity." And if your identity consists in part of wearing a dorky shirt and ordering a pretentious drink, so be it.

—Posted by Mark Dolliver

Filed under Dolliver, Finance, FirstBank, TDA
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