Creative Showcase: Dumpster Ads, Asphalt Stencils, Legos

By Jeffry Pilcher

Published on December 9th, 2009 in Marketing Strategies

The First National Bank – Dumpster Ad

Perhaps the most unusual media placement for a bank ad ever — inside the lids of garbage cans.

They are literally throwing advertising dollars in the trash. Will consumers feel this kind of advertising is appropriate?

Or will they snicker at a metaphorical irony that’s hard to escape?

the-first-national-bank-trash-can-ad

IBT – Parking Lot Stencils

A creative reminder from Foundry Advertising that even seemingly insignificant spaces present branding opportunities.

ibt-loan-dance

ibt-disguised-as-asphalt ibt-recreational-walkers

-- Article continued below --

Harborstone Credit Union – Lego Business Pieces

This business banking promotional kit comes from credit union marketing firm Jay-Ray. Each box contained a set of Lego building blocks and a mini-construction worker. Harborstone hand-delivered these boxed invitations to local businesses, inviting execs to attend the groundbreaking ceremony at a new Harborstone Credit Union branch.

harborstone-box-exteriorharborstone-box-interior

First Community Bank – Enjoy Unbig

This brand advertising campaign is linked by a microsite with six games like the "Unbig Fun Maze!" and the "Unbig Crossword!" You can see one of the TV spots below, and the other three here, here and here.

first-community-bank-enjoy-unbig

Australian Central Credit Union – CG TV

A relatively simple-yet-effective 15-second spot for personal loans produced with computer-generated graphics.

Legacy Banks – Rebranded Identity

Ad agency Smith & Jones won a 2009 American Graphic Design Award for this rather conservative corporate rebranding.

legacy-banks-brand-identity

Chase – Phone Tree

The copy says that "using Chase by Phone is easier than ever." That may be, but the flow chart screams of confusion, frustration and lots of button-pushing. For a bank with trillions in assets, you’d think they could pony up a couple hundred bucks for a designer who knows how to use more than PowerPoint?

chase-by-phone

-- Article continued below --

The Financial Brand is your premier destination for comprehensive insights in the financial services sector. With our in-depth articles, webinars, reports and research, we keep banking executives up-to-date with the latest trends, growth strategies, and technological advancements that are transforming the industry today.

© 2025 The Financial Brand. All rights reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of The Financial Brand.