Ad campaign with world leaders sucking face wins award

The "Unhate" ad campaign released by Italian clothing and retail company Benetton back in November has received the Press Grand Prix award at the Cannes Ad Festival yesterday.

You'll remember the campaign featured doctored photos depicting world leaders such as President Barack Obama and Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez lip locked.

It's not the first time the campaign has been honored; as Advertising Age reported, Benetton's internal agency Fabrica Treviso and MDC Partners' 72andSunny were also recognized at One Show last month. But the Press Grand Prix nod is perhaps the most prestigious of the awards.

Tham Khai Meng, marketing expert and president of the jury which voted to award the campaign said it "cuts through all cultures, nationalities, faith even. …It has heart impact and gut impact and promotes a global debate," according to AdAge. "It's part of our role as communicators to also talk about social responsibility," he said.

[AdAge, Huffington Post]