Boris and the bee

Every picture tells a story, but at Calabash Animation, the story is the picture—notably the animated commercial icons we’ve known for years: Lucky the Leprechaun, the Trix Rabbit, Little Caesars’ Pizza! Pizza! guy and Mr. Clean.

Now 15 years old, the Chicago-based company has seen enormous change in the animation business—owing to the emergence of digital technology.

“Computers have taken this art to another level,” said Ed Newmann, president and animation director. “While we will never abandon traditional cel animation, which the computer can’t match for warmth and emotional expression, the new technology has been a tremendous asset.