What is the synonym for "attract attention"

I have one sentece: This campaign has attracted attenion of masses: Paris residents (my explanation: because they actively took part in this campaign on the city streets) and Internet users around the world (my explanation: because they were following this campaign in social media).

How can I replace "attract attention" by different words in this context ? to "has raised interest"?

Does the expression "attract attention" have the same meaning as "attract" in this context? I suppose, "to attract someone" in this context means "to make somebody actively part in something" Does it also mean "to cause someone to interest in something".