It's pretty good when one of your first-ever character animation projects can earn honors at a major international ad awards fest.

That's what happened with West Hollywood-based A52 and Adidas "Slug", directed by Frank Budgen for TBWA\ Chiat\Day, SF, which clinched a silver Clio in May.

Rick Hassen, managing director of A52 says that fully 98% of the West Hollywood post and visual effects shop's business is commercials. Holding steady at 26 people, two Henrys, three infernos, a graphics bay and three CGI stations running Houdini, the company is just the right size. "I'm a firm believer that the smaller businesses are the ones that are going to be able to change and adapt quicker."

That nimbleness is important in a market characterized by tumbling budgets and shrinking schedules, but where creative demands are increasing.

BBDO, NY, relied heavily on A52 for its AOL Broadband campaign including "Monastery" and "Anti-Virus", directed by Phil Joanou of Villains, and the infamous Sharon Stone spot, directed by David Cornell through Headquarters.

David Frankel, BBDO's senior VP/associate director of television production, says he was referred to A52 by RSA. "Every element, from CGI to title design to character animation, was great."

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