"Quickly many readers"
Jürg Brauchli, the number two on Tamedia's executive board, to 20 Minuten
Jürg Brauchli, the number two on Tamedia's management board, on 20 MinutenBy Markus Knöpfli The rumor mill is churning: There is speculation everywhere about the possibility of Tamedia acquiring a stake in 20 Minuten. WerbeWoche therefore spoke to Jürg Brauchli, Deputy Chairman of the Management Board and Head of Newspapers at Tamedia, about the situation on the free newspaper market.
Bilanz recently spread the rumor that Tamedia is "eagerly" courting the commuter newspaper 20 Minuten and wants to buy it. What is the actual situation?
Jürg Brauchli: We said that we wanted to take a closer look at both the regional newspaper market and the commuter newspaper market.
This is tantamount to a change in philosophy compared to 20 Minuten, given the defensive stance taken two years ago. Does this have anything to do with the new CEO?
Brauchli: This is only a limited change in philosophy, which is not primarily due to Martin Kall. We have to follow the changing market, which is why we have been in constant contact with 20 Minuten and, a year and a half ago, with its parent company Schibsted.
It was observed that Martin Kall had a long, animated conversation with Rolf Bollmann, publishing director of 20 Minuten, at the Zürcher Theater Spektakel.
Brauchli: Of course, why wouldn't he do that?
In addition, people from 20 Minuten are said to have been seen in the Tamedia boardrooms.
Brauchli: Mr. Bollmann visited me recently and we talked about transport and printing. We take care of the distribution for 20 Minuten. 20 Minuten is also restricted because AZ Medien can print the Bern and Basel editions with a maximum of 32 pages. So I spoke with Mr. Bollmann as I would with any customer. However, the possibility of joining 20 Minuten was never a topic of discussion with him.
But perhaps with the Board of Directors of 20 Minuten Holding or with Schibsted?
Brauchli: We were already in contact with Schibsted before the launch of 20 Minuten - the last time was a year and a half ago.
Will Tamedia now print 20 Minuten?
Brauchli: No, I think they have longer-term contracts with AZ Medien.
But will Tamedia step into the breach if 20 Minuten ever wants to print more than 32 pages?
Brauchli: Tamedia does not currently have the necessary post-production capacity.
What is your answer to the following thesis: A participation in 20 Minuten Holding could make sense for Tamedia for two reasons: Firstly, in view of the erosion of subscriptions and readership at the Tages-Anzeiger, the young readership group could at least be kept under
be brought (back) under the Group umbrella - which would open up a number of synergy opportunities. Secondly, Tamedia would finally gain a foothold abroad, which would also help it to step out of Ringier's shadow in terms of image.
Brauchli: Our CEO has clearly stated that we are focusing on Switzerland. Foreign countries are not an issue at the moment. I agree with you about readership figures, all commuter newspapers generate a lot of readers quickly. But who can guarantee that they will be successful in the market as a whole? It is said, for example, that Metro Stockholm is a success. But if you look at Metro's official figures, doubts arise. And Schibsted is also doing relatively badly, at least in Oslo and Stockholm.
However, 20 Minuten Switzerland continues to grow in the advertising sector.
Brauchli: We are in the process of taking a close look at this market. And if we come to the conclusion that it is lucrative, we will certainly not stand on the sidelines.
Tamedia holds 60 percent of ZürichExpress (ZE), NZZ 40 percent. Is there no non-compete clause in the contract?
Brauchli: A clause in the agreement states that the shareholders may not participate in or launch a competing product to the ZE.
The 20 Minuten HoldingThe 20 Minuten Holding holds stakes in commuter newspaper publishers in Switzerland (100%), France (16%) and Spain (67%). Various changes are at least possible from 2004 (WW 25/02): An IPO, a (partial) exit by investors or even the separation and sale of individual holding parts - such as 20 Minuten Schweiz AG. In any case, the Norwegian publishing house Schibsted can exercise a right of first refusal.
Bilanz recently spread the rumor that Tamedia is "eagerly" courting the commuter newspaper 20 Minuten and wants to buy it. What is the actual situation?
Jürg Brauchli: We said that we wanted to take a closer look at both the regional newspaper market and the commuter newspaper market.
This is tantamount to a change in philosophy compared to 20 Minuten, given the defensive stance taken two years ago. Does this have anything to do with the new CEO?
Brauchli: This is only a limited change in philosophy, which is not primarily due to Martin Kall. We have to follow the changing market, which is why we have been in constant contact with 20 Minuten and, a year and a half ago, with its parent company Schibsted.
It was observed that Martin Kall had a long, animated conversation with Rolf Bollmann, publishing director of 20 Minuten, at the Zürcher Theater Spektakel.
Brauchli: Of course, why wouldn't he do that?
In addition, people from 20 Minuten are said to have been seen in the Tamedia boardrooms.
Brauchli: Mr. Bollmann visited me recently and we talked about transport and printing. We take care of the distribution for 20 Minuten. 20 Minuten is also restricted because AZ Medien can print the Bern and Basel editions with a maximum of 32 pages. So I spoke with Mr. Bollmann as I would with any customer. However, the possibility of joining 20 Minuten was never a topic of discussion with him.
But perhaps with the Board of Directors of 20 Minuten Holding or with Schibsted?
Brauchli: We were already in contact with Schibsted before the launch of 20 Minuten - the last time was a year and a half ago.
Will Tamedia now print 20 Minuten?
Brauchli: No, I think they have longer-term contracts with AZ Medien.
But will Tamedia step into the breach if 20 Minuten ever wants to print more than 32 pages?
Brauchli: Tamedia does not currently have the necessary post-production capacity.
What is your answer to the following thesis: A participation in 20 Minuten Holding could make sense for Tamedia for two reasons: Firstly, in view of the erosion of subscriptions and readership at the Tages-Anzeiger, the young readership group could at least be kept under
be brought (back) under the Group umbrella - which would open up a number of synergy opportunities. Secondly, Tamedia would finally gain a foothold abroad, which would also help it to step out of Ringier's shadow in terms of image.
Brauchli: Our CEO has clearly stated that we are focusing on Switzerland. Foreign countries are not an issue at the moment. I agree with you about readership figures, all commuter newspapers generate a lot of readers quickly. But who can guarantee that they will be successful in the market as a whole? It is said, for example, that Metro Stockholm is a success. But if you look at Metro's official figures, doubts arise. And Schibsted is also doing relatively badly, at least in Oslo and Stockholm.
However, 20 Minuten Switzerland continues to grow in the advertising sector.
Brauchli: We are in the process of taking a close look at this market. And if we come to the conclusion that it is lucrative, we will certainly not stand on the sidelines.
Tamedia holds 60 percent of ZürichExpress (ZE), NZZ 40 percent. Is there no non-compete clause in the contract?
Brauchli: A clause in the agreement states that the shareholders may not participate in or launch a competing product to the ZE.
The 20 Minuten HoldingThe 20 Minuten Holding holds stakes in commuter newspaper publishers in Switzerland (100%), France (16%) and Spain (67%). Various changes are at least possible from 2004 (WW 25/02): An IPO, a (partial) exit by investors or even the separation and sale of individual holding parts - such as 20 Minuten Schweiz AG. In any case, the Norwegian publishing house Schibsted can exercise a right of first refusal.
