Martina Vogel and Timo Grossenbacher are joining the MAZ
The MAZ, the leading institute for journalism and communication, is expanding its team starting in September. Martina Vogel will take over as director of the Rhetoric & Moderation program. Timo Grossenbacher will contribute his expertise in artificial intelligence and digital media. Both have been affiliated with the MAZ as instructors for several years.
Martina Vogel is taking over as program director for the Rhetoric & Moderation department at MAZ. She brings with her many years of experience in communications consulting, crisis communications, media relations, rhetoric, and organizational development. She will further develop the programs in her department and design and conduct courses and media training tailored to corporate needs. Vogel is the owner and managing director of the Basel-based communications agency comm.versa GmbH, which she founded in 2011 and continues to lead. She has been associated with the MAZ for several years as a lecturer and trainer. Her focus is on crisis communication, media relations, and public speaking and media training. In addition, she has many years of teaching experience at various universities. «I look forward to helping shape the MAZ in this role—with a strong focus on practical application, a passion for learning, and an open-minded approach to what truly helps people improve their communication skills,» says Martina Vogel.
With Timo Grossenbacher, the MAZ is gaining an expert in artificial intelligence, digital media, and data journalism. He will contribute his professional and pedagogical experience to the development and implementation of training and continuing education programs, thereby further strengthening the MAZ’s expertise in a field that is central to the media industry’s future. Grossenbacher is an independent consultant specializing in AI and automation in the media industry. Until 2024, he led the «Newsroom Automation» team at Tamedia. Prior to that, he worked as a data journalist for SRF for about five years. He studied geography and computer science at the University of Zurich and earned a Diploma of Advanced Studies (DAS) in Data Science. In addition, Grossenbacher teaches data journalism and automation at various universities and vocational schools. «AI and automation can relieve media professionals of repetitive tasks and open up new journalistic possibilities. It is crucial that we use these technologies sensibly, transparently, and responsibly,» says Timo Grossenbacher.
