Brown Brothers Harriman Bicentennial
Celebrating 200 Years of History Across 28 Events and 10 Countries
When Brown Brothers Harriman approached MediaBoss, they weren’t simply planning a celebration.
They were preparing to commemorate 200 years of history at what was, at the time, the oldest and largest private bank in the world—a history deeply intertwined with the growth of the United States itself.
The challenge was ambitious: create an experience that honored two centuries of leadership, innovation, and influence while helping BBH’s partners engage prospective clients in meaningful conversations around the firm’s legacy and future.
The result was a global event series spanning 28 events across 10 countries and a custom-built visual storytelling experience that became the centerpiece of every celebration.
THE SITUATION
Founded in 1818, Brown Brothers Harriman has played a role in some of the most significant moments in American business and political history.
Its story includes connections to influential figures such as W. Averell Harriman and Prescott Bush, and spans two centuries of economic, political, and cultural change.
To celebrate its bicentennial, BBH planned a series of invitation-only events for clients, prospects, and partners around the world.
These gatherings needed to accomplish two goals:
– Celebrate the firm’s extraordinary history
– Create opportunities for meaningful conversations between prospects and BBH leadership
The challenge was finding a way to make 200 years of history feel relevant, engaging, and accessible to modern audiences.
THE CHALLENGE
Most corporate anniversary content focuses on milestones and timelines.
But history alone doesn’t create engagement.
BBH needed an experience that would capture attention, spark curiosity, and encourage guests to explore the firm’s story throughout the evening.
At the same time, the experience had to scale across 28 events held in dramatically different venues—from New York City’s Cipriani to Krakow’s Stara Zajezdnia, Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts, and Zurich’s Villa Tobler.
The storytelling needed to remain consistent while the production design remained flexible enough to work anywhere in the world.
THE SOLUTION
MediaBoss developed both the creative concept and the global event framework.
At the center of the experience was an immersive visual narrative inspired by the Bayeux Tapestry—a continuous historical journey that guided audiences through two centuries of Brown Brothers Harriman history.
Over the course of several months, our team conducted extensive research using primary source documents, historical archives, and company records.
We wrote more than 80 individual scripts that transformed key moments in the firm’s history into compelling short-form stories.
Using animated photography, motion graphics, typography, and music, we created a 90-minute documentary-style visual experience that continuously played throughout each event.
Long before artificial intelligence made photo animation commonplace, we brought archival imagery to life through carefully crafted motion design and visual effects.
The result felt less like a corporate presentation and more like an immersive historical exhibition.
THE WORK
Historical Research & Story Development
- Researched primary source documents spanning 200 years
- Developed narrative framework inspired by the Bayeux Tapestry
- Wrote 80 original historical vignettes
- Created a 90-minute documentary-style visual experience
Creative Production
- Animated archival photography and historical imagery
- Developed custom motion graphics and typography systems
- Produced original visual storytelling content for global deployment
- Designed a continuous narrative experience optimized for event environments
- Global Event Production
- Produced 28 events in 10 countries over 90 days
- Coordinated with local production vendors throughout North America, Europe, and Asia
- Managed LED walls, staging, lighting, audio, and playback systems
- Adapted production designs for venues ranging from intimate historic estates to large-scale event halls
Global Event Production
- Produced 28 events in 10 countries over 90 days
- Coordinated with local production vendors throughout North America, Europe, and Asia
- Managed LED walls, staging, lighting, audio, and playback systems
- Adapted production designs for venues ranging from intimate historic estates to large-scale event halls
