Nov. 18, 2025 (New York)— Vital Strategies’ “Kick Big Soda Out of Sport” campaign won bronze in the Health: Global Awareness Campaign category at the 2025 Anthem Awards. Through a nearly 100-year sponsorship agreement with the Olympics, Big Soda has sought to “sportswash” away the health and environmental harms associated with sugary drinks, leveraging the emotional power of sport to polish its public image. “Kick Big Soda Out of Sport” is a movement of nearly 100 organizations and over a quarter of a million supporters, demanding an end to these sponsorship deals.
“Partnerships with global events like the Olympics give Big Soda an unparalleled platform—across stadiums, broadcasts, and social media—to market dangerous products to millions,” said Trish Cotter, Global Lead for the Food Policy Program at Vital Strategies. “Sugary drinks are linked to noncommunicable diseases like Type 2 diabetes and heart disease and are among the largest plastic polluters. Through “Kick Big Soda Out of Sport,” we set out to build a global movement to challenge Big Soda’s stranglehold on public health and policy. We are honored that this campaign has been recognized as a leading global effort to shift the conversation around sport sponsorship and hold Big Soda accountable for its negative impacts on our health and planet.”
Launched during the 2024 Paris Olympics, the campaign utilized high-impact digital ads, media outreach and partner mobilization to shift the conversation around sport sponsorship and call for healthier, more sustainable partnerships. The campaign received 255,772 petition signatures from 195 countries and the support of 93 organizations.
“This has been a challenging year for the impact sector, but the Winners of the 5th Annual Anthem Awards have shown their resilience and continued commitment to a better tomorrow,” said Patricia McLoughlin, Anthem Awards General Manager. “This year’s winners are a source of hope, and I am excited to celebrate their work with the world today.”
The 5th Annual Anthem Awards received more than 2,000 submissions from 42 countries worldwide. By amplifying the voices that spark global change, the Anthem Awards are defining a new benchmark for impactful work that inspires others to take action in their communities.
Visit Anthem Awards for a complete list of winners.
Learn more about the campaign here.
About Vital Strategies
Vital Strategies is a global health organization that believes all people should be protected by strong and equitable health policies and systems. We partner with governments, communities and organizations around the world to reimagine public health so that health is supported in all the places we live, work and play. The result is millions of people living longer, healthier lives around the world.
To find out more, please visit www.vitalstrategies.org or follow us on LinkedIn.
About The Anthem Awards
Launched in 2021 by The Webby Awards, The Anthem Awards honors the purpose & mission-driven work of people, companies and organizations worldwide. By amplifying the voices that spark global change, we’re defining a new benchmark for impactful work that inspires others to take action in their own communities. The Anthem Awards honors work across seven core causes: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging; Education, Art & Culture; Health; Human & Civil Rights; Humanitarian Action & Services; Responsible Technology; and Sustainability, Environment & Climate. This season’s partners and sponsors include AARP, Sustainable Brands, NationSwell, The Bloom, the Social Innovation Summit and TheFutureParty. The Awards were founded in partnership with the Ad Council, Born This Way Foundation, Feeding America, GLAAD, Mozilla, NAACP, NRDC, WWF, and XQ.
About The Webby Awards
Hailed as the “Internet’s highest honor” by The New York Times, The Webby Awards is the leading international awards organization honoring excellence on the Internet, including Websites and Mobile Sites; Video; Advertising; Media & PR; Apps & Software; Social; Podcasts; Games and AI, Metaverse & Virtual. Established in 1996, The Webby Awards received nearly 13,000 entries from all 50 states and over 70 countries worldwide this year. The Webby Awards are presented by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences (IADAS). Sponsors and Partners of The Webby Awards include WP Engine, LinkedIn, Meltwater, NAACP, KPMG, Wall Street Journal, Vox Media, Deadline, AdAge, TechCrunch, The Hollywood Reporter, The Hustle, Morning Brew, Passionfruit, Embedded, Link in Bio, Creator Economy NYC, Creator Spotlight, AIGA, Vote Save America, and The Publish Press.