• Blue Chalk Media, a US-based, award-winning production company, has been acquired by the Auspicious Group, a new global creative services agency based in London.
• The Auspicious Group is led by three prominent creative services entrepreneurs from the UK: Co-CEO Rachel Pendered, Co-CEO Barnaby Cook, and Chair Mark Killick. 
• The acquisition positions Blue Chalk to expand its capabilities to new markets while continuing to produce high-quality, human-centered stories.
• Alongside Blue Chalk, the Auspicious Group has acquired Studio Yes, a UK commercials business, and is launching Auspicious Global, a communications agency.
• The Auspicious Group is a majority female-owned business and intends to provide creative services including film, PR, and digital learning to blue-chip clients across the world, 

NEW YORK, NY, Oct 1, 2024 - Blue Chalk Media, an award-winning production company known for its distinctive cinematic nonfiction storytelling, is excited to announce that it has been acquired by the Auspicious Group, a new global creative services agency based in London.

This exciting milestone comes as Blue Chalk celebrates its 10th anniversary, marking a new chapter in the company’s growth while continuing its commitment to authentic, people-focused storytelling. 

Since its founding a decade ago, Blue Chalk has enjoyed a reputation for producing powerful work that resonates with audiences worldwide. From its roots in producing award-winning branded content to its recent Emmy-nominated television series and feature-length documentaries, Blue Chalk seeks to tell stories that touch audiences by reminding us of our common humanity.

After a multi-decade career in senior management roles for a variety of non-fiction television brands, including Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet, and Food Network, Blue Chalk's founder, Greg Moyer will continue to serve as CEO of the company. Moyer's business partner and co-owner Pam Huling will assume the new role of Chief Revenue Officer focused on new business development.

“This acquisition is the beginning of an exciting new era for Blue Chalk,” said Moyer. “Over the last decade, we have created hundreds of projects that have sparked joy, not only for our clients but for everyone who has worked on them. As we look to the future with the Auspicious Group we’re incredibly excited about the possibilities that lie ahead for our clients, our work, and our team. With the Auspicious Group’s intention to become a global player in the creative services sector and the wealth of experience of its leaders, we’re confident this acquisition will allow us to bring our capabilities to new markets while continuing to produce the quality of work that has made us a leader in our industry.” 

The Auspicious Group, which is also celebrating its launch today, is led by three of the United Kingdom’s most experienced creative services entrepreneurs. Rachel Pendered, co-founder of the Media Zoo Group and a former NatWest and Management Today Entrepreneur of the Year, is Co-CEO alongside Barnaby Cook, the co-founder of Casual Films and presenter of The Exit Plan podcast. Mark Killick, a former BBC Creative Director and winner of the PRCA Award for Outstanding Contribution during Covid-19, assumes the Chair position.

They are joined by Grace Cook, a commercial and partnerships director with more than 15 years of experience in events, sales, and marketing. The presence of Grace as a shareholder and board director means Auspicious can proudly say it is a majority female-owned endeavor. 

Alongside Blue Chalk, the Auspicious Group has acquired Studio Yes, a UK-based award-winning creative video production studio. Its films are distinctive, powerful and all carry its trademark creativity and positive attitude.

Auspicious Co-CEO Barnaby Cook says, “Blue Chalk and Studio Yes are both best in class and each sits in its own creative space. We believe with the collaborative and creative culture we will establish, Auspicious will be much more than the sum of its parts.” 

“I’m looking forward to having a US focus again. In Blue Chalk we have an established and renowned brand that gives us fantastic access to the biggest market in the world.” 

Auspicious Co-CEO Rachel Pendered adds, “We have an extremely talented and experienced team that will deliver exceptional quality work for clients at pace and at price. We have listened deeply to what the industries we serve want and have curated a group of companies from film and learning to social and digital to maximize client delight.”

“What’s more, the Auspicious Group is a proud majority-owned female business. I believe there is still a huge opportunity in viewing the world through the female gaze, with untapped potential in so many sectors, from femtech and pharma to banking and broadcasting.”

Auspicious is also launching Auspicious Global, a specialist communications, digital learning, social, crisis, and reputation management agency, whose team has a proven track record of providing outstanding internal and external creative services for brands across the world. 

Global has already attracted a number of blue-chip clients, including one of the world’s largest businesses, an international holdings company, and a leading asset manager. 

Mark Killick, Auspicious Chair, says, “It’s flattering that businesses that already know us from the past are so keen to work with us again. Global will be the workhorse of the group and is already developing some really exciting projects.” 

ENDS

About Blue Chalk Media: 

Blue Chalk Media is an industry-leading production company widely recognized for its signature cinematic nonfiction storytelling style and authentic expression of the human experience. Since its founding in 2013, Blue Chalk has produced a wide variety of content including more than 900 short-form videos, garnering more than 125 awards for clients such as The New Yorker, NIKE, the Food Network, and over 95 others. Blue Chalk operates around the world, having filmed on six of the seven continents, and is headquartered in Brooklyn, New York, with additional offices and production facilities in Portland, Oregon.

Photo from left to right: Auspicious Co-CEO, Rachel Pendered, Blue Chalk Founder and CEO Greg Moyer, Blue Chalk Chief Revenue Officer Pam Huling, and Auspicious Co-CEO, Barnaby Cook.

For interviews and media collaterals, please contact:

Ruth Aravena 

ruth@bluechalk.com