"Our industry needs to be heard more"

The Swissfilm Association, the association of commercial film and TV producers, bid farewell to its former president Peter Beck at its general meeting and reorganized its board of directors (Werbewoche.ch reported). In this interview, Susann Vogel explains what this restructuring means and what tasks lie ahead for the association.

Advertisingweek.chThe Swissfilm Association has reorganized itself. What is the most important change that was decided at the general meeting?

Susann Vogel: There is no longer a president. Peter Beck stepped down after 17 years. The Board is now a committee with a chair who changes every year. As Managing Director, I no longer have just one contact person, but at least eight.

That sounds like a lot of effort.

It certainly means more coordination and more leadership. At the same time, it is also interesting and challenging, and I have more responsibilities. Many threads will come together in the office in future. In addition to the management and administration of day-to-day business, we will manage projects. The orders for this will come from members and the Board of Directors. We also generate them ourselves when we sense that the market is asking for them.

Can you give an example of this?

Greenproduction is one such project. It was foreseeable that the topic would become important. So we formed a working group to look into it. In the end, we were able to present the members with a checklist and a catalog of measures. A project always needs a result. That way, the members know what the money was spent on. Structure is appreciated, I know that from my experience as a project manager.

You don't actually come from the industry. What is your professional background?

I studied business administration in St. Gallen and worked for many years in management positions, especially in leadership. That suits me - I love people. Five years ago, I decided to set up my own business. Since then, I have been working on various mandates. I teach at two schools, manage a project in a lifestyle hotel and am the managing director of the Swissfilm Association.

A mandate? You are not employed?

No. I am fully committed to the members and the association. But I don't want to concentrate on just one side. I clarified this with the Board when I was put forward for the position of Managing Director.

What is the view from the outside? How do you experience people in the industry?

"Colorful" is the word that comes to mind. Our members are creative, they think entrepreneurially - and they are approachable and helpful. Unlike the industries I've seen so far.

And what is special about this sector?

There is no apprenticeship for film production. Now digitalization is coming along and accelerating segmentation. Today, everyone can make cool films with their cell phone. Of course, this also applies to other industries. But here it seems particularly concentrated and fast. As an association, it's a challenge to do justice to the young and preserve the know-how of the old-established.

What other tasks does the association have to perform?

In terms of membership, we need to ensure that the number of members grows and that the quality remains high. Then, as a national association, we want to gain new members in French-speaking Switzerland and Ticino. And finally, politics: making sure that our industry and its concerns are heard.

What will you miss most when Peter Beck is gone?

Him as a person. His way of thinking, his humor. I learned a lot from him. When I started at the Swissfilm Association, he introduced me to members during a visit. We had a lot of time on the car trips to these companies. He shared his knowledge and I peppered him with questions. That's how my love for this industry was awakened.