Case Study
C.O.D.E Bowl
Activision
Objective
Building a stronger engine for veteran employment
Project Type
Signature Impact Initiative
Impact Area
Veterans Issues
Client Type
Brand
CLIENT NEED
The Call of Duty Endowment helps veterans find high-quality careers after their military service by supporting organizations that prepare them for the job market and raise awareness of the value veterans bring to the workplace. Propper Daley was hired 8 years ago to build the work of the Endowment year-round as strategists, thought partners, creative activation developers and adjunct staff.
PD APPROACH
As a part of our ongoing work, PD has been instrumental in developing the signature activation of the Endowment the C.O.D.E Bowl. Established in 2019 with a goal of raising funds for grantees and engaging gamers to advance the Call of Duty Endowment’s mission, Propper Daley helped to conceive of the C.O.D.E. Bowl, build a corporate donation model, gamer engagement content and evolve the initiative over the last 7 years as technology in the gaming world advanced. C.OD.E. Bowl 2020 was planned as an in-person event with a live audience, however, due to the pandemic, PD and Activision partners leveraged our creative production and event capabilities to swiftly shift to a virtual model that allowed even more global participation and fan engagement.
On December 11, 2020, we united active-duty service members from around the world in competition including the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, and Space Force, as well as the British Army, Royal Air Force, and Royal Navy. Each military team was paired with two world class Call of Duty streamers from their respective country to compete in a tournament-style competition, coached by an esports professional from the Call of Duty League. Highly complex cloud-based technology, connected production staff, 48 remote player feeds around the world, corporate sponsors and gamers and fans to a central control room producing one live, interactive event.
As our trusted partner of nine years, Propper Daley is like an extension of our own team. They support the Endowment by building deep relationships—helping to create partnerships and ideas that build awareness and fundraising. And they’re always innovating—leveraging their cutting-edge insights about the field, marketing trends, and digital media to keep the work fresh and relevant.
IMPACT
Key sponsors, USAA and Ram Trucks, contributed to the event, 100% of which went directly to the Endowment grantees, funding the placement of almost 2K veterans into jobs in a single day.