Zehnder against Ziegler
Despite the sale of Winterthurer Woche, two free newspapers continue to be published in the Eulach city
Despite the sale of the Winterthurer Woche, two free newspapers continue to be published in the Eulach cityBy Markus Knöpfli The Eulach city is currently experiencing a publishing farce: the publisher of the Stadtanzeiger, Ziegler Druck, is buying the title rights to its competitor Winterthurer Woche (WiWo) - in order to shut it down.
In this deal, however, the Ziegler print shop did the math without the landlord. With this operation, it is paving the way for a new competitor: Wiler Druckerei Zehnder promptly launches its own title - with the WiWo staff and probably also in the WiWo offices.
When two people quarrel, the third is always happy - in this case, the Schaffhausen-based publishing house Steiner & Grüninger can rejoice. First, it sold Ziegler Druck und Verlag in Winterthur the title rights to the free newspaper Winterthurer Woche. And now it is negotiating with Ziegler's competitor Druckerei Zehnder in Wil (SG) for the WiWo offices, furniture and equipment - because Ziegler was understandably not interested. But publisher Willy Grüninger shakes his head at this. "Ziegler is making the same mistake as Tamedia did when it bought Züri Leu in order to shut it down. That immediately brought Züri Woche onto the scene."
But first things first: In July, the publishing house Steiner & Grüninger sold the WiWo title rights to the Landbote publisher Ziegler Druck und Verlag. Ziegler wants to merge these with its own Stadtanzeiger and discontinue the WiWo. Logically, Ziegler was also not interested in the WiWo staff.
The Winterthur hole can now be filled with ease
This was exactly what the Wiler publisher Rolf-Peter Zehnder was looking for, as he has long been toying with the idea of having his own paper in Winterthur. The reason: 15 of his existing 21 free titles form a band from Lake Constance to Olten, but there is a gaping hole in Winterthur.
The death of WiWo now offers Zehnder a welcome opportunity to close this gap. To this end, he has announced the launch of his Winterthur News (circulation: 64,000) in the second half of September.
He has already taken over the WiWo editorial team and most of the sales staff, the newspaper concept is an adaptation of his own Wiler Nachrichten, printing is done in his own print shop and distribution is handled by Promopost. What is still missing are offices, PCs and furniture. He is negotiating this with Steiner & Grüninger. Both sides confirm that an agreement is imminent.
The only question that remains with this deal is whether two free titles in Winterthur have enough space and advertising volume to survive. Zehnder has no doubts. Unlike the previous WiWo, he prints himself, he says. He is also planning advertising combinations between the Winterthurer Nachrichten and one or more of his other titles.
Zehnder will set up an AG for the Winterthurer Nachrichten together with civic circles in Winterthur, in which he intends to acquire a majority stake.
It was also rumored that Günter Heuberger, head of the Top Group, would be involved. However, when asked, he denied any financial involvement or editorial collaboration.
Wanted: VSGZ President
In this deal, however, the Ziegler print shop did the math without the landlord. With this operation, it is paving the way for a new competitor: Wiler Druckerei Zehnder promptly launches its own title - with the WiWo staff and probably also in the WiWo offices.
When two people quarrel, the third is always happy - in this case, the Schaffhausen-based publishing house Steiner & Grüninger can rejoice. First, it sold Ziegler Druck und Verlag in Winterthur the title rights to the free newspaper Winterthurer Woche. And now it is negotiating with Ziegler's competitor Druckerei Zehnder in Wil (SG) for the WiWo offices, furniture and equipment - because Ziegler was understandably not interested. But publisher Willy Grüninger shakes his head at this. "Ziegler is making the same mistake as Tamedia did when it bought Züri Leu in order to shut it down. That immediately brought Züri Woche onto the scene."
But first things first: In July, the publishing house Steiner & Grüninger sold the WiWo title rights to the Landbote publisher Ziegler Druck und Verlag. Ziegler wants to merge these with its own Stadtanzeiger and discontinue the WiWo. Logically, Ziegler was also not interested in the WiWo staff.
The Winterthur hole can now be filled with ease
This was exactly what the Wiler publisher Rolf-Peter Zehnder was looking for, as he has long been toying with the idea of having his own paper in Winterthur. The reason: 15 of his existing 21 free titles form a band from Lake Constance to Olten, but there is a gaping hole in Winterthur.
The death of WiWo now offers Zehnder a welcome opportunity to close this gap. To this end, he has announced the launch of his Winterthur News (circulation: 64,000) in the second half of September.
He has already taken over the WiWo editorial team and most of the sales staff, the newspaper concept is an adaptation of his own Wiler Nachrichten, printing is done in his own print shop and distribution is handled by Promopost. What is still missing are offices, PCs and furniture. He is negotiating this with Steiner & Grüninger. Both sides confirm that an agreement is imminent.
The only question that remains with this deal is whether two free titles in Winterthur have enough space and advertising volume to survive. Zehnder has no doubts. Unlike the previous WiWo, he prints himself, he says. He is also planning advertising combinations between the Winterthurer Nachrichten and one or more of his other titles.
Zehnder will set up an AG for the Winterthurer Nachrichten together with civic circles in Winterthur, in which he intends to acquire a majority stake.
It was also rumored that Günter Heuberger, head of the Top Group, would be involved. However, when asked, he denied any financial involvement or editorial collaboration.
Wanted: VSGZ President
With the closure of Winterthurer Woche, the Association of Swiss Free Newspapers (VSGZ) will also lose one of its eight members. But that's not all: Willy Grüninger is stepping down as VSGZ President in the fall. It is not yet clear who his successor will be. However, Grüninger will remain a member of the VSGZ. Contrary to plans, Grüninger was unable to find a buyer for his second title, the Schaffhauser Bock - "despite negotiations with all the major publishers".
