Hosted by EDP in Lisbon, Portugal, the Charge Awards 2024 celebrated and recognised excellence in energy branding during a stellar event where inspiration levels ran high, and the tone was set by this year’s finalists and distinguished players in the industry. These organisations each highlighted the power of branding in transforming the world’s energy landscape, powering economies and the future of the industry.
CHARGE – Powering Energy Brands was founded by Fridrik Larsen from Iceland, who is the first and only professional to hold a PhD in Energy Branding. Larsen, who describes himself as a “branding devil”, sees effective branding as a secret weapon and the ultimate success recipe for organisations operating in the energy space.
With a line-up of speakers from around the world representing leading organisations such as E.ON, EDP, ChargeUp, Höegh Evi and more, the conference highlighted the importance of crafting compelling narratives around energy, and the need for companies to invest in marketing and communications as crucial branches of their organisations, not just as nice-to-haves.
Red Rocket couldn’t have been in greater company as the brand stories – coming from organisations that are household names in their regions, with decades of experience in the field – deeply resonated with us.
Panel topics such as trust-building, boundless creativity, sustainability, and rebranding illuminated the cutting-edge space of EDP. Presentations and workshops formed part of the line-up providing an in-depth look into the companies featured this year sharing their stories, goals, and unique ways in which their brands have evolved to advance the energy transition in the world.
The result of this gathering was a powerful masterclass into not just the “how” and “why” of energy branding, but the “who”, weaving in the undeniable importance of the people – internal and external – who are taken along the journey of choosing and loving their brand first.
The awards ceremony was a glittering and engaging event attended by the delegates from companies in renewable energy, e-mobility, brand strategy, public institutions, and more. The finalists, who were charged with building a case study about what makes their businesses unique, all went through a judging process by an international panel which revealed the ultimate winners in five categories.
Presenting Red Rocket with the award for World’s Best Challenger Brand, Joachim ter Haar, Managing Director at brand strategy company, Skriptor, said the category recognised the coolest brands in the world, with this year’s award going to Africa, “a region that that deserves great energy brands”.
Red Rocket’s journey included proving why we are a force of nature, and why this isn’t just a catchphrase, but our way of life. Embedded in our bold strapline are our values distinguishing us from the rest, and redefining what it means to be an energy organisation that challenges the status quo while delivering renewable energy solutions in South Africa and beyond.
Along with being proud to have our message shared with the world, we are proud to have shared the world’s stage with energy brands committed to advancing positive change in the world.
Along with the World’s Best Challenger Brand, the Charge Awards recognised energy companies in these other categories:
World’s Best Established Brand.
World’s Best Green Brand.
Organisation of the Year.
B2B Energy Innovator of the Year.
