Peter Wanner's plans for AZ Medien

AZ publisher Peter Wanner said in an interview with the Aargauer Zeitung that the company is determined to return to profit this year. The aim is to return to profit in 2011 and 2012. In addition, the equity ratio, which has currently fallen to 37 percent, should then be back at 50 percent. In addition to implementing a savings program, the integration of Vogt-Schild and Basellandschaftliche Zeitung must also be completed. "We can still achieve synergies here." Back-office services such as accounting, typesetting and IT are to be relocated to Aarau. Only the editorial offices and the publishing and sales departments will remain on site. "In order to achieve a balanced result", Wanner expects that around 30 jobs will have to be cut.

New online strategy sought - cooperation with other publishers
As for other media companies, it is also challenging for AZ Medien to develop an online strategy that pays off. Internet advertising generates much less money than newspaper advertising. "But we have ideas," says Wanner. First, however, the costs have to be reduced. Only in the second phase would the necessary investments be made - but probably only with partners. A partnership with the Basler Zeitung BaZ is conceivable. But there is also no fear of contact with NZZ or Tamedia.
Talks with partners are ongoing - and not just for online projects. "We are sounding out further-reaching cooperations, both for the newspaper jacket, the Sonntag newspaper and for printing." In these four areas, cooperations could be entered into without having to give up independence. In the case of the regional newspaper, it would be necessary to work together with others on the jacket so that the regional sections could be financed with local advertisements.