Microsite exposing the tobacco industry honored by awards

STOP Tobacco is a global watchdog and network of organizations dedicated to rigorously exposing the tobacco industry’s efforts to derail tobacco control and hook a new generation of users. As part of the Bloomberg Initiative to Stop Tobacco Use, STOP brings together interdisciplinary partners to hold the tobacco industry accountable and supports efforts around the world to address industry interference in policy.

STOP published a report revealing a complex history of illicit activities and sabotage across several African countries to keep consumers addicted to BAT’s deadly products. Madeo partnered with STOP to produce an interactive microsite detailing these aggressive tactics, from hiring private contractors for unlawful surveillance of competitors to allegedly spending hundreds of thousands in potential bribes to dozens of individuals across the region.

Madeo’s team of strategists, designers, engineers, and project managers conducted discovery and research, information architecture, UX/UI, motion design, and web development work for the microsite. The resulting interactive experience brings the report to life, demonstrating the wide-reaching consequences of BAT’s actions in the region and beyond.

We are proud to see this project recognized at the 26th Annual Webby Awards by The International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences. The report was one of four Honorees in the 2022 Webby Awards in the Activism category, out of over 13,00 submitted projects from 70 countries. The Webby Awards is the leading international award honoring excellence on the Internet, recognized by the NY Times as “The Internet’s highest honor.”

The microsite is just one of many collaborations between Madeo and STOP Tobacco, which include a full redesign of their website.