The Oscars have been Hollywood’s biggest night for nearly a century, but how has the Academy managed to keep audiences engaged in an era of declining viewership? In this episode of Manipulating The Masses, Zach and Kaitlin break down the history of Oscar marketing—from the studio-controlled campaigns of the Golden Age to today’s aggressive “For Your Consideration” ads.

We’ll explore legendary Oscar campaigns like Shakespeare in Love’s shocking Best Picture win, analyze how digital disruption and streaming have reshaped the ceremony’s relevance, and dive into the Academy’s efforts to combat declining ratings. Why do some years attract blockbuster audiences while others tank? How has the Oscars’ political and cultural evolution impacted its appeal?

With jaw-dropping marketing tactics, strategic voting pushes, and contr ...