Unique keeps its options open

The contract between Unique, the operator of Zurich Airport, and the outdoor advertising company Clear Channel Plakanda (CCP) expires at the end of 2004. Intensive negotiations are currently underway between the two companies. According to Urs Brütsch, Head of Marketing Communication at Unique, three options are being discussed: further cooperation with CCP, a tender and an in-house solution. "We have not yet decided on a new tender this year," he says, but emphasizes: "The partnership with CCP has proven its worth. "Four years ago, CCP was awarded the contract for the exclusive marketing of the airport poster sites following a short-notice tender. At that time, Unique was forecasting an increase in passenger numbers (35 million in 2006). However, this fell in Zurich from 21 to 17 million (2001/03). It was only thanks to a branding concept that allows advertising customers to rent and exclusively design entire airport halls and corridors on a long-term basis that a drop in sales was avoided.
(mk)