Champion: An Oprea In Jazz was a fully staged opera that highlights the true story of Emile Griffith— a world-champion boxer who killed his rival Benny Paret in a welterweight title match after being outed as a homosexual by Paret. New Orleans trumpeter Terence Blanchard wrote the emotional score for this ground-breaking opera.

I was responsible for the art direction and production of the integrated marketing campaign promoting this event. I was drawn to this moody photograph of a pair of boxing gloves hanging in a shape that reminded me of a human heart. Some clouds of boxing powder were added to the black background behind the gloves.

Primary marketing materials for Champion used the glove visual. Secondary items featured a black and white portrait of Blanchard with his trumpet on a vibrant red background. Elements of this campaign included: a program book cover, feature article spreads, postcards, outdoor boards, print and digital ads, social media posts, video screens, and posters.

Additional press for this event appeared in: Bay Area Reporter, Bachtrack, Mercury News, OperaNews, 7x7, On The Corner, and Theatrestorm.