NeoPangea, a full-service experiential media design and production studio, has announced a leadership transition, with founder Brett Bagenstose stepping down as president and Aaron Beaucher appointed as division president and chief creative officer.
Bagenstose founded NeoPangea 21 years ago on the belief that if the agency you want to work for doesn’t exist, you should build it yourself.
This laid the foundation for NeoPangea to become a fiercely creative studio that is curious, open to experimentation, and eager to pursue big ideas.
"Brett has made the deeply personal decision to step down as President of NeoPangea," says the studio.
"We are enormously grateful for everything Brett has built, the culture he created, and the belief that continues to drive NeoPangea forward. We are ready to accept the challenge set forth for us."
'Vision and energy'
With over 18 years of experience as a partner and creative leader, Beaucher will help to steer the studio’s vision, growth, culture, and long-standing client relationships.
During his tenure, he has managed and supported projects for brands such as National Geographic, Paramount+, and Disney. He has also helped NeoPangea transform from an independent design and development studio into a comprehensive experiential partner that combines strategy, creative, technology, and production.
Beaucher’s appointment signifies the continuation of the studio's roadmap for the future, created with Bagenstose, which lays out an ambitious vision for the company's next steps.
NeoPangea joined the Exploring organisation earlier this year. This acquisition will enable Beaucher to harness expanded capabilities and resources to develop connected experiences spanning screens, spaces, and stories.
"What gives me confidence about what comes next for NeoPangea is the relentlessly curious team around me," says Beaucher.
"Many of us have spent years building something we truly believe in, and Brett’s influence is woven into how we think, create, collaborate, and challenge what’s possible.
"We have an incredible foundation to build from, and as part of the larger Exploring organization, new capabilities and opportunities to push ourselves even further. I’m honored to lead this team forward."
For NeoPangea's clients and partners, the transition offers continuity in people and creative thinking. As part of Exploring, the studio can integrate digital interactives and content with fabrication, large-scale graphics, physical production, and experiential execution, significantly expanding its capabilities.
Matt Kelly, CEO of Exploring, says: "Brett has been a foundational pillar of our team, and he will always be a part of the NeoPangea/Exploring family.
"Looking ahead, I am thrilled that Aaron has stepped up into this role. Aaron brings the clear vision and energy we need to lead us forward, and I am highly confident that our future remains incredibly bright under his leadership as we embark on this next chapter together."
"Amidst leadership transitions, our indomitable spirit remains paramount as a creative partner for imaginative brands who dare to dream," says the studio. "We’re deeply grateful to Brett for the foundation he built, and excited to have Aaron lead moving forward."
Earlier this year, NeoPangea celebrated the opening of Photo Ark: Animals of Earth, the first special exhibition at the new National Geographic Museum of Exploration in Washington, D.C., for which it developed a series of interactive digital displays.
Rebecca Hardy has over 10 years' experience in the culture and heritage sector. She studied Fine Art at university and has written for a broad range of creative organisations including artists, galleries, and retailers. When she's not writing, she spends her time getting lost in the woods and making mud pies with her young son.
