Background
Established in 1924, Battery Council International (BCI) represents the interests of more than 140 companies involved in every aspect of the North American battery industry, including manufacturers, recyclers, material suppliers and more. As BCI approached a historic milestone on March 21, 2024, it was essential to recognize the association and the members that supported the 100 years of leadership, advocacy, and innovation in the battery industry.
Challenge
Design and implement a strategic, multi-touchpoint Centennial Campaign to:
- Inspire and engage member companies and their employees in celebrating 100 years of industry innovation, fostering pride in the legacy and excitement for the future of battery technology.
- Showcase BCI’s century-long leadership in advocacy and innovation, reinforcing its role as the premier authority and trusted voice in energy storage for the next 100 years.
- Drive attendance and enthusiasm for the annual BCI Convention, culminating in a memorable, high-impact in-person Centennial Celebration.
Solution
Activated Growth partnered closely with BCI’s executive team to craft and execute a strategic, year-long Centennial campaign, running from March 2024 through March 2025.
Anchored by a landmark convention and celebration in April 2024, the campaign featured a suite of dynamic content, including a historic video spotlighting numerous industry leaders and a visually engaging infographic designed to honor the past while energizing the future.
Results
The BCI Centennial Campaign delivered exceptional results, sparking widespread member engagement, amplifying BCI’s legacy of leadership, and driving record-breaking participation. Over 100 professionals from 18 member companies contributed to a series of centennial videos, including 14 interviews with BCI Board members. These videos garnered more than 5,000 views and 600+ positive interactions across web and social platforms during the campaign.
Complementary content, such as the educational infographic, centennial anniversary webpage, and advocacy highlights, achieved strong digital engagement. Throughout 2024, BCI reinforced its position as a trusted industry voice by producing and distributing a robust portfolio of thought leadership materials. Website traffic doubled year-over-year, with a 69% increase in pageviews.
The campaign also fueled unprecedented success at the 2024 BCI Convention, which welcomed over 800 attendees, far surpassing historical averages. To cap off the centennial year, BCI launched a new charitable foundation, funded by member donations, to support the next generation of energy storage leaders.
Award-Winning Excellence
The centennial campaign earned top industry recognition with a 2025 Hermes Creative Gold Award, celebrating excellence in strategic marketing and storytelling. The award honored BCI’s century of advocacy, innovation, industry leadership and member-driven impact.
Deliverables
- Strategic centennial campaign planning and execution
- 100-year anniversary logo and icon
- Long- and short-form videos
- Commemorative challenge coins and lapel pins
- Dedicated 100-year anniversary webpage on BCI’s main website
- Convention brand development
- Centennial convention website design and development
- Convention signage design
- 100-year coffee table book design
- Print and digital advertisements
- Social media and website graphics
- Interactive history timeline
- Digital infographic
- Advocacy and thought leadership resources
