Virtual warfare
Oliver Classen on the eerie tug-of-war over the Zürichsee-Zeitung.
Oliver Classen on the ghostly tug-of-war over the Zürichsee-ZeitungThe kingmaker in the looming Zurich regional newspaper war between Tamedia and NZZ (see page 17) is not based in Stäfa but in Lausanne, is called Hanspeter Rohner and currently has "nothing new to say" to media journalists. No wonder, after all, the PubliGroupe regent announced his verdict back in July, promising NZZ the P-share in Zürichsee-Zeitung (ZSZ) at the time, and the speculation that has since been fueled by some colleagues about ZSZ publisher Thedi Gut flirting with the certainly tempting Tamedia offers is therefore without foundation. Threatening gestures or right of first refusal: after his exclusive agreement with Falkenstrasse, Rohner will not - no, must not - give a hand to the Werdsträssler's expansion plans. This would thwart his own strategy.
Furthermore, P is by no means obliged to sell back its share package. In fact, Rohner has so far not even rung in the 30-day period in which Gut could exercise its right of first refusal. Tamedia's last remaining opportunity to gain access to ZSZ is also purely theoretical: the fact that the publishing family, which is keen to maintain its independence in order to avoid the paper battle for the
left bank of the lake transfers its own shares to Kall & Co.
in all probability.
Accordingly, professional attention should be focused on the local arms race. For example, the rumors that the Tagi is setting up its base camp in Wädenswil instead of Horgen. This location would be entirely plausible, as it would not only avoid a direct showdown with the ZSZ, which is based in the district capital, but also open up an area in which the Tagi is less strong than in Horgen. In addition, there is simply more going on politically and culturally in the parliamentary municipality of Wädenswil. And that has never done any local editorial office any harm - especially not one that is just being formed.
> Oliver Classen, Editor
Furthermore, P is by no means obliged to sell back its share package. In fact, Rohner has so far not even rung in the 30-day period in which Gut could exercise its right of first refusal. Tamedia's last remaining opportunity to gain access to ZSZ is also purely theoretical: the fact that the publishing family, which is keen to maintain its independence in order to avoid the paper battle for the
left bank of the lake transfers its own shares to Kall & Co.
in all probability.
Accordingly, professional attention should be focused on the local arms race. For example, the rumors that the Tagi is setting up its base camp in Wädenswil instead of Horgen. This location would be entirely plausible, as it would not only avoid a direct showdown with the ZSZ, which is based in the district capital, but also open up an area in which the Tagi is less strong than in Horgen. In addition, there is simply more going on politically and culturally in the parliamentary municipality of Wädenswil. And that has never done any local editorial office any harm - especially not one that is just being formed.
> Oliver Classen, Editor
