How Sunrise Banks made internal comms an award-winning strength with Workshop

Out with Outlook, in with impact

When Amanda Theisen joined Sunrise Banks as Communications Manager in late 2023, she knew the team’s internal comms needed a refresh. The existing newsletter (sent once a month through Microsoft Outlook) wasn’t visually engaging, didn’t reflect the bank’s brand, and couldn’t show whether people were actually reading it.

“Internal comms doesn’t have to be boring. It should look amazing. It should spark conversation. That’s how you build trust and culture from the inside out.”

Coming from a background in TV news and digital storytelling, Amanda saw huge potential in showcasing stories (and she knew exactly the tool to help unlock them).

Why Workshop made the shortlist (and then the inbox)

Within weeks of joining, Amanda pitched Workshop to leadership. She’d used it before at a previous employer and knew it could help modernize communications, cut down on manual work, and deliver real results. They moved fast: by February 2024, the team had launched their first Workshop-powered newsletter.

It didn’t just look better — it worked better. Employees noticed. Teams started engaging. Conversations started happening.

Delighting teams made easy with Workshop. From slick formatting to smarter delivery, it gave Sunrise Banks a better way to connect with employees across teams.

Putting a plan (and platform) into action

Workshop quickly became the foundation for a more thoughtful, engaging internal comms strategy. With Workshop, Amanda and her team:

• Launched a weekly “Top Things to Know” newsletter (up from a once-monthly Outlook send).
• Folded in leadership updates, team highlights, and employee-led DEI content into one streamlined experience.
• Rolled out monthly playbooks tailored to frontline teams, with ready-to-share social content.
• Sent single-topic announcements for key updates (like platform launches or big initiatives).
• Used SMS during a real tornado warning, making sure employees across Minnesota branches were informed and safe.
• Added “Share This” sections to promote Sunrise’s blog and external thought leadership.

“We used to worry about whether people were reading. Now we get employees asking to be featured.”

From internal impact to industry applause

In early 2025, Amanda submitted a few of their favorite newsletter editions to PRSA Minnesota’s Classics Awards. The result? Sunrise Banks took home an award for excellence in internal communications.

“It wasn’t a single splashy campaign. It was about showing how we connect with employees week after week — and Workshop made it all possible.”

Thanks to built-in analytics, Amanda and her team could back every decision with data:

• 65–75% read rates (even with a mostly deskless workforce).
• Clear insights into who’s reading (and how), so content could be tweaked in real-time.
• Better conversations with leadership, backed by real numbers.

Here’s what Workshop helped make happen:

• From Outlook newsletter → to a branded, mobile-friendly newsletter people actually read
• An internal comms program recognized by PRSA Minnesota
• A weekly communication rhythm that drives engagement without overwhelming them
• Read rates consistently in the 65–75% range
• SMS used for emergency communication
• Social and blog content being shared more widely by employees
• One centralized place for visual design, delivery, and comms strategy

“We’re not sending emails into a void anymore. We’re creating something employees actually want to read.”

The team that turned comms into culture

Today, Amanda and the internal comms team at Sunrise Banks are more than just messengers. They’re curators, collaborators, and champions of company culture. Their work helps teams feel informed, recognized, and connected and they’re doing it without extra hours, headcount, or headaches.

Workshop helps Sunrise Banks turn weekly updates into award-winning comms. Imagine what it can do for your team.

Sunrise Banks uses Workshop to elevate their internal messaging. Transforming once-monthly Outlook sends into vibrant, branded updates that drive engagement across departments. With streamlined workflows, mobile-friendly formats, and measurable results, their comms are now as dynamic as the culture they support.

Workshop is the email-first internal communications platform designed to simplify your strategy, empower your team, and make every message matter—without the extra hours or heavy lift.

Ready to see it in action? Schedule your personalized demo and discover how Workshop can help your internal comms stand out, week after week.