Telefonica, the Spanish telecommunications giant, is gearing up to celebrate its centenary on April 19 with a series of initiatives and events throughout 2024.
The company, founded as the National Telephone Company of Spain (CTNE) on April 19, 1924, has been at the forefront of technological evolution, transitioning from a voice services operator to a leading technology company.
A key project in the centennial year is the cataloging and digitization of Telefonica’s documentary archive, undertaken in collaboration with Fundacion Telefonica. The initiative aims to preserve over 60,000 pieces, including photos, videos, audios, and documents dating from the 1920s to the present day, showcasing the company’s journey through its employees, buildings, technologies, international expansion, and advertising.
Telefonica has launched a dedicated website, www.telefonica100.com, to commemorate its remarkable journey. The site offers a curated historical journey through the company’s archives, including testimonies collected in “Voces Telefonica” and the “Universo Telefonica” initiative, which seeks to capture memories and testimonials from employees spanning the company’s entire history.
In a bid to celebrate the centenary with grandeur, Telefonica has organized three major institutional events featuring music at prominent venues such as the Gran Teatre del Liceu in Barcelona, the Teatro Real in Madrid, and the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.
As part of the centennial celebrations, Telefonica has launched the “Imaginémonos” brand platform, unveiling the first campaign titled “Kisses.” The campaign highlights the evolution of technology since 1924 and emphasizes how Telefonica has connected people through simple yet profound gestures, like a kiss.
Maria Garcia-Legaz, Head of the Telefonica Centennial Commission, stated, “Telefonica approaches its Centennial as a springboard towards the next 100 years. It’s a historical milestone that allows us to look with pride towards our past and with enthusiasm towards our future.”
The centennial festivities extend beyond digital initiatives and campaigns. On February 19, during the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Telefonica will host a unique concert at the Gran Teatre del Liceu featuring classical music by renowned Chinese pianist Lang Lang, blending traditional artistry with cutting-edge technology.
The culminating events on April 19, Centennial Day, include a grand classical music concert at the Teatro Real in Madrid, marking the end of PLAN100, a share plan initiated on the centenary. Telefonica employees, numbering nearly 30,000 globally, have participated in PLAN100.
As a symbol of its commitment to innovation, Telefonica will shut down all copper plants around April 19, completing its transformation process of fixed infrastructure. This move positions Telefonica as a leader among European and Latin American companies in embracing a fully digital future.
Telefonica aims to make its centennial not just a reflection on the past but a launchpad for future endeavors, reflecting its mission to “make our world more human by connecting people’s lives.” The celebrations will reach a crescendo on April 20 and 21, as work centers open their doors to employees and their families, bringing together the true protagonists of Telefonica’s century-long journey.
