SouthState Bank:A Growing Brand.
A Local Story.
A new headquarters puts a bank on the skyline. The right story connects that presence to the people and communities it serves. Big Wave Productions helps SouthState tell those stories through bank video production spanning headquarters launches, community service, and short-form social content.
Two of SouthState's five most-viewed Instagram reels. One production partner.
Our Atlanta headquarters video and Rachaad White collaboration brought two different sides of SouthState's local story to its Instagram audience.
Of SouthState's most-viewed Instagram reels
Combined Instagram views for Atlanta and Rachaad White
Based on Big Wave's September 24, 2026 review. View counts are rounded; measurement details appear below.
Talk about your bank's next video projectThe challenge: make the local story as clear as the brand
A headquarters opening is more than a real estate announcement. It is an opportunity to communicate a bank's commitment to a market, introduce its leaders, and give employees, customers, and community partners a shared story.
For SouthState's Rivergate Tower project in Tampa, that meant looking beyond the building to the leadership and community behind it.
The relationship began with a referral from the electrical sign company responsible for the Rivergate Tower signage and grew into a broader production partnership. Big Wave also documented SouthState signage and locations in Tampa, Atlanta, McKinney, Greeley, and Denver. (SouthState production and photography)
The creative priorities were straightforward:
- Local relevance:
- Put recognizable places, real people, and community connections at the center of the story.
- Brand consistency:
- Give each location its own character without losing the shared SouthState identity.
- Content that works across channels:
- Plan for social feeds, websites, events, and ongoing headquarters presentation.
Bank video production built around people, places, and purpose
Different marketing objectives call for different stories. Across Atlanta, Charleston, and Tampa, the work pairs a consistent brand identity with a distinct local perspective.
Watch the Atlanta film
Atlanta: a headquarters story with a social audience
The Atlanta work tells the story of SouthState's regional headquarters at Prominence Tower. A longer film develops the story, while the short-form Instagram video offers an introduction in the feed and recorded 18.2K views. Watch SouthState's Atlanta headquarters film.
Charleston: a community story beyond the bank building
The Charleston film follows Sonia Hanson and her Greater Purpose Award recognition, using interviews and volunteer coverage to focus on her service and the people around her. It brings brand values into a personal story, showing community commitment through someone's actions rather than a corporate statement.
Tampa: a film for the launch and beyond
Big Wave combined timelapse coverage of the Rivergate Tower signage installation with aerial and ground footage of the building and Tampa skyline. (Tampa production details) Interviews with SouthState's CEO, Tampa's mayor, SouthState's West Florida Division President, and the president of the Tampa Bay Economic Development Council connected the milestone to its business and community context. (Executive and community interviews)
Watch the Tampa film
The finished film served more than a single launch post:
- Website and social: Shared across SouthState's digital channels. (Project distribution)
- Grand opening: Played on a 40-foot ultrawide display at Rivergate Tower. (Event presentation)
- Ongoing headquarters display: Continued playing for visitors, employees, and community stakeholders. (Headquarters use)
One production supported the launch and continued telling the story afterward. Watch SouthState's Tampa headquarters film.
Watch on Instagram
SouthState Instagram reel
Rachaad White: a local conversation, not a product pitch
The social collaboration paired Rachaad White with Angel Gonzalez, SouthState's West Florida Division President, and recorded 16K Instagram views. Watch the Rachaad White reel.
Custom graphics and animation gave the live-action story a distinct visual treatment. VFX rotoscoping and AI-assisted effects enhanced two specific moments: the opening sequence and a close-up of the football spiraling through the air.
The results across Instagram and YouTube
Our two top-five reels recorded approximately 35,000 Instagram views. With the Tampa Rivergate reel included, the three Big Wave-produced reels recorded approximately 36,300 Instagram views, with additional viewing on YouTube.
| Big Wave-produced video | Instagram views | YouTube views |
|---|---|---|
| Atlanta headquarters | 18.2K | 447 |
| Rachaad White collaboration | 16K | 263 |
| Tampa Rivergate Tower | 2,135 | 911 |
| Platform totals | Approximately 36,300 | 1,621 |
Measurement note: Instagram screenshots and YouTube public counts were reviewed September 24, 2026. Instagram counts include abbreviated displays; approximately 35,000 is a broad rounding of the two leading reels' combined views. Totals are reported separately by platform and are not unique viewers, engagement rates, or customer-acquisition results. Paid versus organic distribution has not been confirmed.
What this means for your bank marketing team
The value is not just a finished film. It is a production partner who can connect a market milestone, a leadership conversation, or a community story to the channels where it needs to work.
Our approach to brand video production starts with your audience, message, and distribution plan, with stakeholder review and approved messaging built into the planning. The creative treatment follows the marketing objective, not the other way around.
“Big Wave Productions is a true partner and an absolute joy to work with, handling all aspects of photo and video production. Project after project, Brian, John, and their team always deliver the quality we are looking for.”
What story should your bank tell next?
Whether you are opening a headquarters, introducing a market leader, or spotlighting community service, start with the story your audience needs to hear. Tell us the objective, the channels, and the timeline, and let's plan the production around them.
The video Big Wave Productions produced for SouthState Bank’s Tampa transition and new regional headquarters.
The Challenge
SouthState Bank has been rapidly expanding into new markets across the U.S. When they entered Tampa, Florida, they wanted more than just a new office—they wanted to make a statement. Their new regional headquarters in Rivergate Tower was a major milestone, symbolizing their commitment to the region and to the communities they serve.
SouthState needed to tell this story — the transition, the growth, and the significance of this moment — in a way that connected with employees, customers, and community leaders. They sought a production partner who could combine cinematic visuals with compelling storytelling to capture this transformation.
A photo documenting SouthState’s sign installation in Atlanta, as part of their transition in Georgia. Big Wave documented this transition with photos and video.
The Solution
Big Wave Productions was referred to SouthState by the electric sign company who manufactured and installed the iconic signage on Rivergate Tower. With more than five years of experience documenting large-scale signage installations, Big Wave was uniquely positioned to capture the story of this major rebrand.
We designed a comprehensive storytelling solution that included:
Timelapse, Aerial & Ground Video Production: Documenting the installation of SouthState’s new signage in 4k from every angle — showcasing Tampa’s skyline and the bank’s bold new presence.
Executive & Community Interviews: Filming conversations in 8k with the SouthState CEO, the Mayor of Tampa, the West Florida Divisional Bank President, and the President of the Tampa Bay Economic Development Council to highlight the impact on the local community.
Post-Production Storytelling: Editing the footage into a 6k dynamic, visually engaging video that celebrated SouthState’s arrival in Tampa and reinforced its brand narrative.
A photo of SouthState’s signage at their new regional headquarters in McKinney, as part of their transition in Texas. Big Wave documented this with a series of photos.
Record-Breaking Results
The final video became a centerpiece of SouthState’s communications strategy:
Website & Social Media: Shared across digital channels to amplify the message of growth and community commitment.
Grand Opening Event: Played on SouthState’s new 40-foot ultrawide display at the Rivergate Tower headquarters grand opening.
Permanent Display: Continues to loop at their headquarters for visitors, employees, and community stakeholders.
The campaign’s success sparked an ongoing partnership. Big Wave Productions has since been commissioned to capture SouthState’s expansion across Atlanta, Texas, and Colorado — producing content that consistently drives engagement.
Most recently, Big Wave created SouthState’s #1 and #3 most-viewed Instagram reels of all time — including a standout feature with Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Rachaad White and Angel Gonzalez, West Florida Division President, showcasing creative graphics, dynamic transitions, animation, and visual effects that set a new benchmark for the brand’s social storytelling.
A photo of SouthState’s signage at their new regional headquarters in Tampa, as part of their transition in Florida. Big Wave produced the photos and video.
Why it Matters
For financial institutions like SouthState Bank, expansion isn’t just about new locations — it’s about building trust, celebrating progress, and strengthening community ties. Through cinematic brand storytelling and strategic video production, Big Wave Productions helped SouthState transform a milestone moment into a record-breaking marketing success — creating the bank’s most-viewed social media videos and reinforcing its reputation for innovation, growth, and community engagement.
Photos of SouthState’s signage in Greeley and Denver, as part of their transition in Colorado. Big Wave documented this with a series of photos.