PNC Bank names Arnold Worldwide as marketing and creative agency of record

PNC Bank has chosen Arnold Worldwide as its integrated marketing and creative agency of record following a review. 

The agency, part of Havas Creative Group, will lead the effort to increase national brand awareness of what PNC calls its national “main street bank” model, which offers big bank capabilities to local communities. Havas Media Group will handle media strategy, buying and planning. 

PNC Bank spent an estimated $159 million on U.S. measured media in 2022, according to Vivvix, including paid social data from Pathmatics.

The Pittsburgh-based company is working to build a coast-to-coast franchise after it acquired BBVA U.S.A. in 2021, expanding into the Southwest and becoming a national bank, according to Amanda Rosseter, chief communications and brand officer at PNC Bank. 

“Arnold stood out in the agency review process for the team’s ability to deliver sophisticated, data-driven thinking and breakthrough creative,” Rosseter said in a statement. 

Roth Ryan Hayes conducted the review. Interpublic Group of Cos.’ Deutsch, New York, which had held the account since 2009, declined to defend the business, citing a change in marketing leadership.  

PNC Bank denies Deutsch NY declined to pitch. 

The review came less than a year after PNC Bank restructured its communications function to include marketing, all under the purview of Rosseter. The company’s previous executive VP and CMO, David Thuma, retired in late 2022.  

“We’re grateful for all the successes and amazing work we’ve accomplished together,” Deutsch NY said in a statement to Ad Age. “The financial sector is full of new, exciting opportunities that we have been unable to pursue while working with PNC and now we’re moving full speed ahead.”

The move comes amid a changing banking landscape, punctuated by the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank, Signature Bank and Silvergate Bank. So far this year, PNC Bank has shuttered 173 branches across the country with another 30 locations expected to close by the end of July, according to the Pittsburgh Business Times.

Experts say the closures are a response to customers' growing preference for banking online. In its latest earnings report for 2023, PNC reported a net income of $1.7 billion, a 9% increase year over year, and saw a $1.3 billion increase in deposits.