GLENDALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Who’s backing world champion boxer Manny Pacquiao in a bigger way than BUTTERFINGER®? Following its announcement of a one million Butterfinger peanut butter cups bet* on Pacquiao to win the fight of the century on May 2nd, Butterfinger Cups today unveiled the official “Get In Our Corner” commemorative fight graphic. The custom work of art depicts a determined Manny Pacquiao squarely set against bold painted strokes of black, blue and gold, along with the rallying cry “Get In Our Corner.” The original image was created by Warren Fu, an award-winning director and artist behind some of today’s most popular entertainment and music recording collaborations. The artwork commissioned by Butterfinger will be available for a limited time** as a free graphic for the first 25,000 fans to download at ButterfingerCups.com/GetInOurCorner.
“Butterfinger made it possible for me to do something I’ve never done before as an artist – the chance to depict an iconic figure who’s a hero to me, and an opportunity to create an image that inspires and excites Pacquiao fans,” said Fu. “I’ve been a huge fan of Manny’s since watching his early fights and really admire what he stands for – a different kind of fighter, a person of the people, and a man of graciousness and humility.”
Fu first used a traditional acrylic paint to create a one-of-a-kind, 30-inch-by-30-inch square painting, which Pacquiao personally has requested to have displayed in his home. He then created a graphic version of the painting of Pacquiao for Butterfinger to share online with fans. The entire project took one week to complete, and the finished art piece is currently on display in Fu’s L.A.-based studio.
“I really love what Warren has created for me and the fans, and I thank Butterfinger for commissioning this work of art,” said Pacquiao. “I hope this original Warren Fu graphic will excite fans as we count down together to the fight of the century.”
The “Get In Our Corner” campaign is a month-long rally led by Butterfinger Cups to unite fans around the world, leading up to the May 2nd fight in Las Vegas. And there’s a million at stake – if Pacquiao emerges victorious, Butterfinger will offer one million of its peanut butter cups in a nationwide payout at ButterfingerCups.com.* In addition to the possible million cups payout, Butterfinger has promised fans a variety of surprises along the way, such as the release of this limited edition, one-of-a-kind official Pacquiao art piece created for the fans by one of their own.
In an exchange from one fan to another, Pacquiao is training Butterfinger Cups in the brand’s own fight against Plain Cups. Online, fans can see that action unfold on Butterfinger’s Facebook and Twitter pages. Square-shaped like a boxing ring, Butterfinger Cups is a different kind of peanut butter cup that made its highly anticipated debut last year. It has been said to be the most successful product launch in the history of Nestlé USA’s Confections & Snacks division. Butterfinger Cups and the all NEW Butterfinger Peanut Butter Cups Minis bring an unexpected crunch to the smooth combination of peanut butter and chocolate. Different is good!
ABOUT WARREN FU
Director and artist Warren Fu is known for his innovative work throughout the entertainment and music recording industry. His next collaboration with recording artists Pharrell and Snoop Dogg is set for release in early May. Fu is the artist behind some of the world’s most iconic album covers for performers such as Aaliyah, Daft Punk, Julian Casablancas, Brandon Flowers, and The Killers. Fu is also the director of several hit music videos including “If I Could Change Your Mind” (HAIM), “Instant Crush” (Daft Punk), “Bang Bang” and “Bike Song” (Mark Ronson), “You Only Live Once” (The Strokes), and “Soothe my Soul” (Depeche Mode). His recent directing and design work with Daft Punk on the group’s Random Access Memory album campaign, including the chart topping single “Get Lucky,” are amongst his most popular projects. The Los Angeles-based director Fu began his career in art direction at Lucasfilm and is currently represented by Partizan Entertainment in Los Angeles.
ABOUT MANNY PACQUIAO
Manny “Pac Man” Pacquiao is a world champion professional boxer. He is the first and only eight-division world champion with 10 world titles, as well as the first to win the lineal championship in four different weight classes. Beyond boxing, Pacquiao has participated in basketball, business, acting, music recording, and politics. In May 2010, Pacquiao was elected to the House of Representatives in the 15th Congress of the Philippines, at the age of 32, representing the province of Sarangani. He was re-elected in 2013 to the 16th Congress of the Philippines.
ABOUT BUTTERFINGER
NESTLÉ® BUTTERFINGER® is a one-of-a-kind candy bar with the crispety, crunchety, peanut-buttery taste people love. Now, the iconic BUTTERFINGER brand has taken the peanut butter cup to another level. BUTTERFINGER PEANUT BUTTER CUPS feature a smooth, peanut butter filling with a dose of crunchy Butterfinger pieces, covered with creamy milk chocolate. Keep up with the latest news about BUTTERFINGER at Facebook.com/Butterfinger or follow its sweet tweets at Twitter.com/Butterfinger.
*The one million peanut butter cups nationwide payout (awarded as 500,000 coupons, each for one (1) two-piece single serve package of Butterfinger Cups) is only available online at ButterfingerCups.com. Offer available Tuesday, May 5, 2015, between 6:00 a.m. PDT and 6:00 p.m. PDT, while supplies last. Limit one coupon per person per email address. Full program rules and regulations may be found at ButterfingerCups.com beginning May 1, 2015.
**The Butterfinger “Get In Our Corner” graphic is only available online to the first 25,000 fans for free download at ButterfingerCups.com/GetInOurCorner. Offer available Thursday, April 23, 2015, beginning at 6:00 a.m. PDT through Monday, April 27, 6:00 p.m. PDT, while supplies last.