"Not exactly fireworks"
The NZZ am Sonntag was visually convincing, but many expectations remained unfulfilled in terms of content
The NZZ am Sonntag was visually convincing, but many expectations remained unfulfilled in terms of contentForm and content of the NZZ am Sonntag receive very different grades. The visual appearance received almost unanimous praise. This also highlights the advertisements particularly well. On the other hand, the verdicts on the content are far less enthusiastic. Jost Wirz: I really like the NZZ am Sonntag because it comes across as less excited, maintains its proportions, shows a critical distance, reflects a balanced view of the world and people and distances itself from the usual sado-masochistic attitude in journalism. All this means that - thanks to the NZZ am Sonntag - I am spared the Sunday depression I used to suffer.
Dominique von Matt: The NZZ am Sonntag is walking a tightrope: how do you make a product that clearly internalizes the genetic code of the NZZ brand and yet meets a fundamentally different reading need? The task of brand management is about as complex as the introduction of the Mercedes C-Class in the 1980s. And the NZZ, which I had in my hands on Sunday, manages the balancing act elegantly and indicates that the product is on course for success. The only downer: the proof of popularity with a Simon Ammann story was not necessary. And I was so looking forward to a Sunday without him.
Frank Bodin: Finally you have something to talk about on Mondays.
Edi Andrist: It's beautiful, like a dignified Sunday, but also similarly boring. Neoclassical in design - almost a "contemporary lifestyle product". The economy, money and background reports were good. The newspaper architecture sets the scene perfectly for the advertisements. As an advertiser, you like to say thank you. However, more inspiration through fresh thinking would be desirable. But it seems to me that Mühlebachstrasse focused a little too much on positioning and somewhat neglected the journalistic product and the principles that make the other products from the same company so convincing ("form follows thinking").
The SonntagsZeitung offered me the best reading pleasure. For me, it was the surprise par excellence, the most creative of the three newspapers on Sunday. I read the best text of the weekend in Das Magazin. It was penned by Roger de Weck, and it was thoughts about Ariel Sharon.
I absolutely believe that quality journalism will also be successful on Sundays. The NZZ am Sonntag would therefore do well to be a little more genuine and surprising. And I recommend that the SonntagsZeitung should present its good journalistic work in a more attractive light by redesigning it. This is also so that it's not just the laughing third party that can be pleased. As a reader, by the way, I feel the same way as my neighbor Markus: in future, we will buy all three newspapers with relish.
Petra Kreussler: "To enjoy with understanding" - I was really looking forward to that. Sunday, the prospect of lots of reading material and nice weather too. But the NZZ am Sonntag didn't find its way to me, not even to the agency letterbox. And in the afternoon there was nothing to be had at the newsstand either. The think tank was activated, that's true. And what I also know is that I'll enjoy the next Sunday with my head on straight.
Hanspeter Lebrument: The first issue of a newspaper is always an event. However, it is usually the case that a first issue is the beginning of a longer maturing process. The first issue of the NZZ did what a good Sunday newspaper does. However, it still lacks its own distinctive character. SonntagsZeitung and NZZ am Sonntag will have to become even more separate over time. However, it can be said that the launch has been a success.
Peter Döbeli: Of course I was really looking forward to Sunday finally having its intelligent pages from March 17. Thanks to NZZ! In this respect, expectations were extremely high. After all, the question is how I've managed without NZZ am Sonntag so far. In reality, Sonntag is now a really elegant newspaper. I think the layout is very successful - especially the fonts used are extremely beautiful. There is also nothing to criticize about the quality of the content - that would have been surprising. However, I would like to make one critical point: For me, the pinnacle of intelligence would be a newspaper of NZZ quality, but more concentrated. That means fewer topics, concentration on the essentials, but a little more fun. Despite the quality, the question arises as to whether this amount of information is really appropriate for Sundays. Despite all the sympathy and joy of reading, you still can't just read all day.
Andy Lehmann: The facts: 3 Sunday newspapers = 1830 grams of paper, 320 pages, 150 minutes of time investment. The result: primarily sobering. I feel less well informed. The wider range of titles does not lead to a broadening of topics. The appearance may be different - but it does not create more knowledge. The family opinion of wife, daughter (18), son (22) serves as a real yardstick: NZZ am Sonntag is visually very pleasing. At times, there is even something like enthusiasm ("The advertisements really shine!"). The cover story is disappointing. Isn't this exactly the kind of "thin" story the NZZ never wanted? Time becomes a problem. "Preservatives against corruption" takes 3 minutes to read. That makes 6 minutes per page, 36 minutes for the background bundle... etc. The SonntagsBlick finally offers relaxation. Familiar, safe - simply good Sunday reading. Simply the benchmark in sport. The SonntagsZeitung suddenly seems restless, more hectic, but often also pleasantly exclusive (cartoons, interviews, online). It is noticeable that both NZZ am Sonntag and SonntagsZeitung are struggling with the many bundles. We too are exhausted at the end - but are still looking forward to next Sunday. Nothing has been decided yet.
Albert P. Stäheli: The form of the NZZ am Sonntag is good, but the content is not exactly fireworks. Maybe it's the boring news situation.
Peter Wanner: The layout is a winner: clear, simple, well-organized. This is how you would actually like to see the NZZ on weekdays. The big weakness of the NZZ am Sonntag is the printing process (letterpress instead of offset). Although the printers do an amazing job, you end up with black hands after reading and leafing through it. Not exactly noble for a product from the NZZ. Perhaps the publisher will supply a Kleenex tissue by the fall. In terms of content, the NZZ am Sonntag is remarkable and an enrichment, but in terms of primeurs and good stories, the editorial team still needs to step up its game. The frontally attacked SonntagsZeitung is still slightly ahead. And it has a highlight that the NZZ am Sonntag does not: Roger de Weck. Survey: Daniel Schifferle
Dominique von Matt: The NZZ am Sonntag is walking a tightrope: how do you make a product that clearly internalizes the genetic code of the NZZ brand and yet meets a fundamentally different reading need? The task of brand management is about as complex as the introduction of the Mercedes C-Class in the 1980s. And the NZZ, which I had in my hands on Sunday, manages the balancing act elegantly and indicates that the product is on course for success. The only downer: the proof of popularity with a Simon Ammann story was not necessary. And I was so looking forward to a Sunday without him.
Frank Bodin: Finally you have something to talk about on Mondays.
Edi Andrist: It's beautiful, like a dignified Sunday, but also similarly boring. Neoclassical in design - almost a "contemporary lifestyle product". The economy, money and background reports were good. The newspaper architecture sets the scene perfectly for the advertisements. As an advertiser, you like to say thank you. However, more inspiration through fresh thinking would be desirable. But it seems to me that Mühlebachstrasse focused a little too much on positioning and somewhat neglected the journalistic product and the principles that make the other products from the same company so convincing ("form follows thinking").
The SonntagsZeitung offered me the best reading pleasure. For me, it was the surprise par excellence, the most creative of the three newspapers on Sunday. I read the best text of the weekend in Das Magazin. It was penned by Roger de Weck, and it was thoughts about Ariel Sharon.
I absolutely believe that quality journalism will also be successful on Sundays. The NZZ am Sonntag would therefore do well to be a little more genuine and surprising. And I recommend that the SonntagsZeitung should present its good journalistic work in a more attractive light by redesigning it. This is also so that it's not just the laughing third party that can be pleased. As a reader, by the way, I feel the same way as my neighbor Markus: in future, we will buy all three newspapers with relish.
Petra Kreussler: "To enjoy with understanding" - I was really looking forward to that. Sunday, the prospect of lots of reading material and nice weather too. But the NZZ am Sonntag didn't find its way to me, not even to the agency letterbox. And in the afternoon there was nothing to be had at the newsstand either. The think tank was activated, that's true. And what I also know is that I'll enjoy the next Sunday with my head on straight.
Hanspeter Lebrument: The first issue of a newspaper is always an event. However, it is usually the case that a first issue is the beginning of a longer maturing process. The first issue of the NZZ did what a good Sunday newspaper does. However, it still lacks its own distinctive character. SonntagsZeitung and NZZ am Sonntag will have to become even more separate over time. However, it can be said that the launch has been a success.
Peter Döbeli: Of course I was really looking forward to Sunday finally having its intelligent pages from March 17. Thanks to NZZ! In this respect, expectations were extremely high. After all, the question is how I've managed without NZZ am Sonntag so far. In reality, Sonntag is now a really elegant newspaper. I think the layout is very successful - especially the fonts used are extremely beautiful. There is also nothing to criticize about the quality of the content - that would have been surprising. However, I would like to make one critical point: For me, the pinnacle of intelligence would be a newspaper of NZZ quality, but more concentrated. That means fewer topics, concentration on the essentials, but a little more fun. Despite the quality, the question arises as to whether this amount of information is really appropriate for Sundays. Despite all the sympathy and joy of reading, you still can't just read all day.
Andy Lehmann: The facts: 3 Sunday newspapers = 1830 grams of paper, 320 pages, 150 minutes of time investment. The result: primarily sobering. I feel less well informed. The wider range of titles does not lead to a broadening of topics. The appearance may be different - but it does not create more knowledge. The family opinion of wife, daughter (18), son (22) serves as a real yardstick: NZZ am Sonntag is visually very pleasing. At times, there is even something like enthusiasm ("The advertisements really shine!"). The cover story is disappointing. Isn't this exactly the kind of "thin" story the NZZ never wanted? Time becomes a problem. "Preservatives against corruption" takes 3 minutes to read. That makes 6 minutes per page, 36 minutes for the background bundle... etc. The SonntagsBlick finally offers relaxation. Familiar, safe - simply good Sunday reading. Simply the benchmark in sport. The SonntagsZeitung suddenly seems restless, more hectic, but often also pleasantly exclusive (cartoons, interviews, online). It is noticeable that both NZZ am Sonntag and SonntagsZeitung are struggling with the many bundles. We too are exhausted at the end - but are still looking forward to next Sunday. Nothing has been decided yet.
Albert P. Stäheli: The form of the NZZ am Sonntag is good, but the content is not exactly fireworks. Maybe it's the boring news situation.
Peter Wanner: The layout is a winner: clear, simple, well-organized. This is how you would actually like to see the NZZ on weekdays. The big weakness of the NZZ am Sonntag is the printing process (letterpress instead of offset). Although the printers do an amazing job, you end up with black hands after reading and leafing through it. Not exactly noble for a product from the NZZ. Perhaps the publisher will supply a Kleenex tissue by the fall. In terms of content, the NZZ am Sonntag is remarkable and an enrichment, but in terms of primeurs and good stories, the editorial team still needs to step up its game. The frontally attacked SonntagsZeitung is still slightly ahead. And it has a highlight that the NZZ am Sonntag does not: Roger de Weck. Survey: Daniel Schifferle
