The Colombian Ministry of Defence and Lowe SSP3's “Operation Christmas” advertising campaign won Grand Prix at the prestigious Institute of Practitioners in Advertising (IPA) Effectiveness Awards.


The campaign created to encourage guerrilla members to demobilise over the Christmas period, was praised at the ceremony by Lord Black of Brentwood, executive director of the Telegraph Media Group and chairman of judges for the Awards, who said: "The judges were all in agreement that this case was something special. The profound insight and creative execution should be hailed as an inspiration for the industry. This campaign is a definitive winner for the Grand Prix"

In addition to winning the Grand Prix, the campaign was also awarded the Special Prizes for Best International campaign and Best Social Value campaign at the Awards.

The success of the operation also led to a TV commercial being produced showcasing the activity, which was broadcast on primetime television creating a widespread international and national media coverage, as well as mass web and social media coverage.