Click 3X has added three key members to the creative team at its New York shop: Designer/director Michael Wiehart, co-founder and former creative director of international motion graphics design firm Frame by Frame; designer/director Christine Lin, whose last staff position was at bicoastal/international Pittard Sullivan; and senior Inferno artist Steve Zourntos, formerly with Toronto-based visual effects/animation studio Axyz.
The hires are part of an expansion of the talent pool and technical resources at Click 3X, New York. The company—which also maintains facilities in Santa Monica and Atlanta—is looking to strengthen its core market position in spots, while increasing its role in broadcast design and production.
Wiehart was among four artists who founded Zurich-based Frame by Frame in 1993. He went on to play a key role in its development into one of Europe’s leading providers of motion graphics design and production services, with a staff of 30. He came to the U.S. in ’98 to launch Frame by Frame’s New York office, serving as both its creative director and project manager. His creative credits since then include commercials for The New York Times, Datek Online, Samuel Adams, Bristol-Myers Squibb and Jergens. Last year, he earned a Gold Lion at Cannes for his work on a spot for Pioneer and its agency Sacom, Biel, Switzerland. Also in 2000, he won a Broadcast Design Association Award on the strength of a show open for the Swiss comedy series Lachsack.
While fulfilling senior design and animation roles with Frame by Frame, Wiehart has continued to do hands-on work as an artist. "Early in my career, I tended to be involved in every aspect of my projects, from developing the idea, the concept, through production and post, and I’ve held onto that," stated Wiehart. "I still like to do the work on the machines. It’s helped to keep me up-to-date on the techniques and technologies." Wiehart’s skills include 2-D and 3-D animation, live-action production and editing. He also has experience in Web design and CD-ROM production.
Lin joined Pittard Sullivan in ’96 after graduating from the Parsons School of Design, New York. Hired as a designer, she quickly advanced to a senior position. She was a key member of the design team behind the fall 2000 on-air campaign for Canadian broadcaster CTV. She also designed and directed image campaigns for CTV-Newsnet, Time Warner Cable and Family Channel Canada. Since leaving Pittard Sullivan last year, Lin continued to attract high profile assignments as a freelancer. She designed and directed promotional campaigns for HBO and HBO Plus, pay-per-view service In Demand and the NBA. She also has significant experience in commercials, with recent credits including logo animations for Dell and Oil of Olay.
In discussing her move to Click 3X, Lin said she sees it as an opportunity to apply her talents to a broader range of projects. "With Click being so strong in commercials and broadcast work, it opens new doors for me," she noted.
Zourntos began his career as an editor with Panic & Bob, Toronto, in 1993, but soon shifted his focus to visual effects. He joined Axyz in ’95 and worked there as a visual effects artist and compositor on Quantel Henry and Discreet Flame and Inferno platforms. His work included commercials, music videos and broadcast work for both Canadian and U.S. clients. Among his notable credits is the Budweiser spot "Lobster," directed by Dave McNally of Los Angeles-headquartered Omaha Pictures for DDB Needham (now DDB) Chicago, in which a crustacean makes off with a six-pack of beer. Zourntos has also done commercial work for Compaq, Canadian Pacific, Nestea and General Nutrition Centers. His broadcast credits include campaigns for CTV and CTV-Newsnet.
On the sales front, Click 3X, New York, has hired Jacquie Jones as its in-house rep. Jones had been a partner in bicoastal independent representation firm Necessary Evil. Phil McIntyre continues as head of business development for all of the Click 3X facilities.
