Where AI-powered design meets street level screens to fuel a cohesive content ecosystem
Wednesday, July 9, 2025 – As banks fight for mindshare in increasingly competitive consumer markets, digital signage has emerged as a dynamic platform for real-time engagement and brand storytelling. Valley Bank’s latest signage campaign stands out as a compelling example of both creativity and connection. In the recent eMarketer article, the bank’s “Eyes of New York” campaign is featured as a best practice for financial institutions using digital display as a core component of communication, from brand storytelling to customer engagement.
The article outlines how Valley Bank leverages a large-scale PixelFLEX LED display at their Fifth Avenue branch to tell their authentic brand story, reflect diverse customer identities, and draw people in – making a bold impression in one of the most competitive banking markets in the country. “We’ve seen a lot more people walking in,” says Mark Beausoleil, Executive Vice President and Head of Retail Banking at Valley Bank. “People walking by now know who Valley is and have a better understanding of what we can offer them.”
Partnering with Adrenaline, Valley Bank sought to “deepen emotional connections with their diverse audience in New York City,” according to eMarketer’s coverage. The new content on the screens transforms the branch exterior with a striking soffit display wrapping around two sides of the building. This largescale digital canvas features close-up images of expressive eyes, each one thoughtfully crafted to reflect the rich diversity of the local community, accompanied by empowering taglines like “Focus Your Ambition” and “Fuel Your Growth.”
Complementing the soffit display are street-level portrait screens with synchronized content to deliver a cohesive visual experience. While the primary signage catches the eye and communicates the bank’s brand, the street level signs contain content that alternates between thematic messages and product promotions, complete with QR codes linking to the bank’s digital platforms. The campaign has gotten rave reviews, according to Beausoleil, who says people feel the creative imagery “accurately and authentically represent the community’s diversity.”
Importantly, the creative approach breaks away from traditional stock imagery to represent the bank’s customer base and the demographics in the local area. Adrenaline’s team used AI tools including Midjourney to generate original eyes and a wide variety of faces, and KREA to animate the faces with subtle movements like eye blinks. The end result is engaging visual experience to evoke a sense of realism and emotional connection. Beausoleil says the archetypes on display are a relevant reflection of who the bank is focused on helping.
According to eMarketer, Valley Bank’s campaign reflects broader trends found in other competitive retail sectors: brands are using digital signage not simply as a tech feature, but as a strategic communications vehicle. With 80% of brands reporting increased sales from digital signage and up to a 35% reduction in perceived wait times, the benefits are both brand-building and business-driving for financial institutions. Valley Bank’s approach proves that when digital signage is strategic, it doesn’t just capture attention, it creates connection.
For all of the strategy and insights, read the full article “Valley Bank’s Digital Signage Helps Tell Its Story to Customers While Improving Foot Traffic” live now on eMarketer. eMarketer is the leading market research and media company that provides insights and trends related to digital marketing, media, and commerce. The publication serves key sectors with its robust reporting, including coverage of financial services in its Banking Innovation Briefing.
To learn more about successful digital signage strategies for financial institutions, or to speak with one of Adrenaline’s brand experience experts, contact us today.
Adrenaline is an end-to-end brand experience company serving the financial industry. We move brands and businesses ahead by delivering on every aspect of their experience across digital and physical channels, from strategy through implementation. We create brands people love and engage audiences with story-led design and insights-driven marketing; and we design and build transformative brand experiences across branch networks, leading the construction of physical spaces that drive business advantage and make the brand experience real.
