CODA case study: entertainment marketing that drove an Oscar win .
The challenge:
Amplifying CODA’s cultural impact.
When Apple TV+ prepared to release CODA, its groundbreaking coming-of-age drama, The Refinery partnered with Evolution to create premium content that would extend the film’s emotional resonance. The challenge was to spotlight CODA’s powerful themes of family, representation, and inclusion while strategically positioning the film for awards season. Meeting this goal demanded more than creative execution—it required a strategic content marketing approach that could connect with audiences, tastemakers, and Academy voters on both cultural and emotional levels.
Our solution:
Storytelling through authentic experiences.
Evolution produced a cinematic companion piece centered on a curated screening event for real CODA families. Inside Apple’s Manhattan loft, we designed a warm, living-room–style environment that encouraged genuine connection and reflection. Guided by advisors to ensure cultural authenticity and accessibility, we captured heartfelt interviews where attendees shared the profound experience of seeing their lives represented on screen. By blending immersive event design, high-end production values, and entertainment marketing strategy, we delivered content that amplified CODA’s emotional depth while reinforcing its social relevance across multiple campaign channels.
The result:
From awards campaign to Oscar history.
Client: Apple TV+
Agency: The Refinery
Production: Evolution
Director: Jim Pascoe
Producer: Mark Shockley
