VCCP and Aardman Animation win at British Animation Awards

Hector, the animated character that supports Texaco's Road Safety campaign, has won the award for New Media: Best Commissioned Animation at the recent British Animation Awards. Created by Vallance Carruthers Coleman Priest (VCCP) Hector won the award for its 'beautiful design and innovative use of 2D and 3D animation, and strong storytelling and characterisation'.

VCCP teamed up with Aardman Animations, the triple Oscar winners, to create 'The Peculiar Adventures of Hector', a series of films based on books written by Natalie Herbert and Tristan Poulter and illustrated by Tom Percival.

The animation targeted six to 10 year olds and comprised of five films, each communicating a road safety lesson created in collaboration with the Department of Transport. Each animation followed the vivid imagination of Hector and a colourful cast of animal friends in 2D and 3D with flat imagery as he learnt the importance of using a seatbelt, bike helmet, zebra crossing, understanding traffic signals and being seen in the dark.

The Hector programme aimed to educate children on the importance of staying safe on the roads through entertaining them and is part of a long term plan to make the Hector character synonymous with road safety.

The animations were brought to life by Aardman Animations and produced by Alison Graham and directed by Arthur Cox directors', Sarah Cox and Sally Arthur. The VCCP team also made 'cameo' appearances as cast members from Creative Director, Nicola Jackson as 'Jackson' and Account Director, John Boardman as 'JB'.

Jon Boardman, account director at VCCP said: "It has been great to see the Hector campaign develop and grow during its second year. Through working with Aardman we were looking to appeal to even more children and engender greater emotional loyalty to the brand over the longer term.

"All those who have worked on the Hector campaign are immensely proud that we have received such a prestigious award."