Joining of sentences using 'despite'

[kohyoongliat]

There was a massive campaign. Not many people came to the school funfair.

Not many people came to the school funfair despite a massive campaign.
Not many people came to the school funfair despite there being a massive campaign.

Which is correct sentence in joining the above sentences in bold?

[Anglika]

Semantically, they both have the same meaning. However, I would say that the first is better.

The problem with the sentence is that it is not clear what the "massive campaign" set out to do - encourage people to come, promote the school event, campaigned against the event.