Blue Chalk Announces Acquisition by the Auspicious Group

4 October 2024

Blue Chalk Announces Acquisition by the Auspicious Group

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.”

Image: 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

Channelbox brings new Africa channels to UK’s Freeview digital terrestrial TV

3 October 2024

Channelbox brings new Africa channels to UK’s Freeview digital terrestrial TV

In celebration of Black History Month Channelbox launched two new channels from Africa: Nigbati and 4ACETV on Freeview UK channel 271.

Symbolically debuting in October, Black History Month, 4ACETV embraces the rich contributions of Black artists and musicians, celebrating their influence across genres like Afrobeat, Grime, and RNB. This launch not only highlights diverse musical expressions but also serves as a reminder of the vital role that Black culture plays in shaping the global music landscape.

Nigbati TV is a dedicated 24-hour entertainment channel celebrating the culture, tradition, and language of the Yoruba people. Nigbati TV aims to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of Yoruba culture both within and beyond the Yoruba-speaking community, serving as a vital platform for cultural preservation and promotion.

Together, these channels will showcase the richness of Black stories, traditions, and artistry, fostering a broader appreciation of vibrant narratives within the community and beyond.

Channelbox, a prominent player in the UK broadcasting landscape, is committed to delivering a broad range of high-quality, diverse content to viewers nationwide. Available on Freeview channel 271, Freely 561 and through Channelbox’s mobile applications, the platform offers over 70 TV channels and supports FAST channel monetization, enhancing its appeal to both viewers and advertisers.

Tanya Kronfli, Head of Business Development at Channelbox, commented, “We are excited to welcome Nigbati TV and 4ACETV to our platform. This additions not only broadens our content offering but also aligns with our mission to deliver diverse and engaging programming that resonates with our audience.”

Solomon Islanders get extra radio coverage, including ABC Radio Australia

3 October 2024

Solomon Islanders get extra radio coverage, including ABC Radio Australia

People in the provincial capital of Malaita Province, Auki in Solomon Islands and surrounding communities will now be able to hear the national service of the Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation on its FM 96.3 frequency on their transistor radios, inside their vehicles and on their mobile phones.

This follows the installation of an FM 96.3 transmitter on a Solomon Telekom transmission tower in Auki during the past several days.

At the same time, listeners in Auki and surrounding communities will also hear the Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s Radio Australia service on FM 107.

“This great milestone has been achieved as SIBC celebrated its 72nd anniversary of broadcasting in this country early this week. Our listeners in Auki and surrounding communities will now listen to programmes from the national service in Honiara through livestream with much clearer digital audio,” says an excited SIBC Chief Executive Officer, Mr Johnson Honimae.

“This is another step forward in the implementation of the Unity FM service that has been part of the strategy of the Corporation in the past several years. This adds on to the FM 96.3 in Honiara and in Gizo in the Western Province.”

Mr Honimae adds, “SIBC would not have achieved the FM service in Auki without the great support of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation through the supply of equipment and engineers supported by SIBC’s own engineers who set up the two FM transmitters in the past several days.”

The project is a great achievement for the two public service broadcasters under a current three-year Memorandum of Understanding. As part of the relationship SIBC and ABC share among other things, technical expertise, including SIBC infrastructure to enable ABC to broadcast in Solomon Islands. ABC and SIBC broadcast technicians work closely together.

ABC International Head Claire M. Gorman said: “We are delighted that our two teams were able to come together to execute this exciting new development in FM transmission, connecting communities across Auki and the Malaita Province. The collaboration between our technical teams encapsulates the true spirit of our longstanding friendship and partnership with SIBC. We congratulate them on the tremendous milestone of their 72nd anniversary and look forward to future opportunities to support one another’s work as public broadcasters.”

Both public service broadcasters also participate in content exchanges in areas such as news and current affairs, sport, music, lifestyle and general interest content. Staff exchanges are also possible under the SIBC-ABC MoU.

SIBC is now in discussions with the Malaita Provincial Government for a piece of land for the establishment of an FM studio in Auki to produce programs focused on Malaita Province. Auki FM 96.3 will currently broadcast programs from the SIBC National Service in Honiara.

Listeners to SIBC in Malaita Province can also receive the National Service on AM 1035khz and SW 5020 khz and online: sibconline.com.sb.

NHK WORLD-JAPAN focus in October: The Sound of Vietnam – Dramatizing 50 years of friendship

1 October 2024

NHK WORLD-JAPAN focus in October: The Sound of Vietnam – Dramatizing 50 years of friendship

The Sound of Vietnam – dramatizing 50 years of friendship

The Sound of Vietnam Ep.1 Oct 5 Sat. Ep.2 Oct 12 Sat. Ep.3 Oct 19 Sat. 1:10/7:10/13:10/19:10 (UTC) While the Vietnam Symphony Orchestra faces a threat to its survival, a Japanese conductor is chosen to save it! The story’s protagonist is a young Japanese conductor, Sakura Kazuo. Following a chance encounter, Kazuo is asked to rebuild the Vietnamese orchestra. With a strong belief to fulfill what he promised, he travels to the country and passionately gives guidance. However, he soon finds himself facing many difficulties.
Legendary Games Chronicle: Final Fantasy Oct 11 Fri. 2:30/7:30/13:30/19:30 (UTC) In this episode revealing the start of a famous Japanese game series, we journey into the origin of the legendary RPG Final Fantasy by meeting its creators.

U.S. Agency for Global Media awards lease securing VOA move to new Downtown D.C. headquarters

27 September 2024

U.S. Agency for Global Media awards lease securing VOA move to new Downtown D.C. headquarters

Today, the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) awarded a new lease, cementing 1875 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW as its future headquarters and the home of Voice of America (VOA) – the oldest of the five broadcast entities the independent federal agency oversees. The agency’s move to a modern facility will save taxpayers more than $150 million over the course of its 15-year lease. The relocation will begin in the coming months and occur in phases over the next several years.

“Our move to 1875 Penn marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter that will reimagine USAGM for the future,” said USAGM CEO Amanda Bennett. “As one of the world’s biggest media organizations, our work remains critical – particularly in the face of censorship, malign influence and information manipulation at the hands of authoritarian regimes. Ensuring our continued ability to compete is the first and perhaps most vital step in winning the global information war. This move will dramatically enhance our technological capacity, and most importantly, improve our ability to reach audiences in regions without a free press. I am inspired by this incredible new era, and all that will be made possible because of it.”

USAGM and VOA’s move from the Wilbur J. Cohen Building will allow the agency to operate more efficiently and secure significant cost savings that can be reinvested in technology and infrastructure to expand its reach to key markets where malign influence and censorship pervade. Further, the move to a more efficient space echoes a broader push to reimagine federal workspaces across Washington, D.C.

The Cohen Building has been home to Voice of America and U.S. international public service broadcasting since 1954, and was recognized by the Society of Professional Journalists as a National Historic Site for Journalism in 2022. Originally built for the Social Security Administration and listed among the District of Columbia’s Inventory of Historic Sites, the Cohen Building exemplifies the Stripped Classical and Egyptian Revival styles popular at the time of its inception. However, it was never optimized for a modern news organization. Even so, the Cohen Building has served as an international hub for trusted news and information for generations.

“While the Cohen Building is full of great memories, the new headquarters offers Voice of America the opportunity to modernize its operations and facilities so that we are better positioned to fulfill our vital mission in a world where authoritarian powers are spending billions to undermine the free press and disrupt access to truthful news,” said Voice of America Director Michael Abramowitz.

The U.S. Agency for Global Media oversees five international broadcast entities, including the Voice of America, the Middle East Broadcasting Networks, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Radio Free Asia, and the Office of Cuba Broadcasting, in addition to the Open Technology Fund and Frontline Media Fund, all of which seek to connect, inform and engage people around the world in support of freedom and democracy. Collectively, they provide trustworthy news and information to over 420 million people around the world weekly.

[Source: USAGM press release]

ABC and RNZ sign MoU

18 September 2024

ABC and RNZ sign MoU

Radio New Zealand (RNZ) and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding, outlining a new framework for co-productions, sharing of content domestically and on each other’s international channels.

In a visit to RNZ offices in Wellington, ABC Managing Director David Anderson, ABCStrategy Director Mark Tapley and ABC International Head Claire M. Gorman met with RNZ Chief Executive Paul Thompson for the official signing of the new partnership.

Under the key tenets of the MOU, the ABC and RNZ will develop a productive and meaningful working relationship through collaborative projects and content sharing activity to serve audiences both domestically and across the Pacific.

The framework of the new agreement also identifies how both public broadcasters, through their regional broadcast efforts, will aim to promote access to high quality news, combat misinformation and provide content and services that inform, educate and entertain audiences.

Collaboration under the MOU has already begun with daily news sharing and content exchange between the ABC and RNZ News teams, as well as a radio and podcast co-production that will launch later this year.

RNZ Chief Executive and Editor in Chief Paul Thompson said the new partnership builds on the existing relationship: “We have so much in common with the ABC in terms of our shared opportunities and challenges as public media organisations, and this MOU allows us to learn from each other, to share content and even to consider how we might work together on co-productions.”

“The MOU also recognises the shared role we have in the Pacific to work collaboratively alongside local media partners to promote high-quality news and current affairs.”

ABC Managing Director David Anderson said: “As a fellow public broadcaster and close neighbour, the ABC has a deep history of working side-by-side with RNZ in fulfilling our responsibilities to serve our respective nations. We welcome this opportunity to explore new areas for collaboration and content exchange across our services and offerings.”

ABC International Head Claire M. Gorman commented: “We are delighted to be formalising our partnership with RNZ; the MOU signifies an exciting and important next step in strengthening our friendship. By working together across new initiatives and projects, this agreement will support our shared commitment to continue delivering high-quality news, diverse regional storytelling and informative and entertaining content to audiences across the region.”