According to a study by Gallup, the number of people in the US who feel actively engaged at work is just 30%. Across 142 countries, that proportion drops to a mere 13%. The fact is, many people feel under-valued, under-appreciated and underwhelmed by what they do and what they’re working on.

Apple’s challenge is to help re-enthuse this workforce and become as beneficial to people’s work lives as they are to their personal lives. To arm companies and employees with an eco system of intuitive devices, software and services that can turn their simple ideas into business-defining, career-enhancing solutions.

‘The Underdogs’ is a story of a team working against the odds to get an idea off the ground, and themselves noticed by their CEO. When casting our key characters it was important that the audience would identify with, warm to, and most importantly root for this group of mid-level misfits.

The casting took place in New York, LA, Chicago and Mexico City. Hundreds of actors auditioned, then whittled down a shortlist of favorites. Each group was workshopped again and again to find the just the right group dynamic of humor and relatability.

Our secondary group of characters were important too. The intimidating boss, Vivienne. Her anxious assistant. Smug ‘Mike in Finance’. And of course, Brian’s Mom. Each workshopped and selected for their comedy performance and workplace familiarity.