Matt Campbell

Career Trajectory: From Political Science to Global Investigative Reporting

Matt Campbell has established himself as a leading voice in investigative journalism, specializing in complex maritime fraud and multinational corporate misconduct. His career began with academic rigor—a Political Science degree from Yale and an M.Phil in Politics from Oxford—laying the groundwork for his methodical approach to unraveling systemic corruption[1].

Key Phases of Reporting Expertise

• Early Career (2005–2010): Covered conflict zones and terrorism financing, developing forensic documentation skills.
• Breakthrough Investigations (2011–2017): Exposed Libya-related financial crimes, earning his first Gerald Loeb Award finalist nomination.
• Maritime Fraud Era (2018–Present): Pioneered reporting on shipping industry conspiracies, culminating in the globally acclaimed Dead in the Water.

Defining Works: Three Pillars of Investigative Journalism

Dead in the Water: A True Story of Hijacking, Murder, and a Global Maritime Conspiracy (Excerpt)

This 12,000-word Bloomberg Businessweek excerpt reveals Campbell’s multiyear investigation into the 2011 Brillante Virtuoso hijacking. Through court documents from three continents and interviews with ex-intelligence operatives, Campbell exposed how the incident masked a $100 million insurance fraud scheme involving London financiers and Middle Eastern oligarchs. The piece’s impact led to renewed Interpol investigations into maritime "phantom ship" scams[2][4].

Goldman Sachs’ Business Dealings with Libyan Dictator Muammar Qaddafi

Campbell’s 2016 Loeb Award-winning investigation uncovered how Goldman Sachs secured $1.3 billion in Libyan sovereign wealth investments through questionable derivative contracts. His analysis of leaked diplomatic cables and internal bank memos revealed how financial institutions exploited conflict zones—a template later seen in his maritime work[1][4].

Review of Dead in the Water

While not a bylined article, The Wall Street Journal’s analysis of Campbell’s book highlights his signature technique: using narrative suspense to explain complex financial crimes. Reviewer Paul French noted Campbell’s ability to "make maritime insurance clauses read like thriller plot points," demonstrating his skill in translating niche subjects for broad audiences[2].

Pitching Recommendations: Aligning with Campbell’s Investigative Lens

1. Lead with Documentary Evidence

Campbell’s work relies on paper trails—court filings, insurance records, or authenticated leaks. A pitch about Caribbean ship registries should reference specific Lloyd’s of London documents rather than general trends. Example: His Qaddafi investigation began with a 200-page derivatives contract obtained from Tripoli officials[1].

2. Highlight International Jurisdictional Complexity

Stories involving conflicting maritime laws (e.g., Panama-flagged ships owned by Dubai firms insured in London) align with his expertise. Avoid single-jurisdiction cases unless they reveal systemic issues, like his analysis of Singapore’s role in global ship recycling[2][4].

3. Focus on Long-Term Financial Motivations

Campbell prioritizes economic drivers over sensational crime details. A pitch about illegal fishing should quantify black-market revenue streams rather than emphasize ecological damage alone, mirroring his approach to maritime fuel smuggling networks[4].

4. Leverage Industry Specialist Contacts

His articles frequently cite marine surveyors and insurance adjusters. Pitches including access to classification society auditors or hull underwriters stand out, as seen in his collaboration with ex-Moore Stephens investigators[2].

5. Avoid Consumer-Focused Angles

While Campbell reports on business, he avoids personal finance or consumer tech topics. A story about cryptocurrency in shipping should focus on institutional blockchain adoption rather than retail trading platforms[4].

Awards and Achievements

• Gerald Loeb Award for International Reporting (2017): Won for exposing financial institutions’ exploitation of Libyan assets during the civil war, beating investigations from The Financial Times and Reuters[1].
• Overseas Press Club Award (2017): Recognized for demonstrating how global banking systems facilitate authoritarian regimes, a rare honor for business journalism[1].
• National Magazine Award Finalist (2022): Shortlisted for public interest reporting through maritime industry exposés, competing against ProPublica’s healthcare investigations[2].