French media giant Vivendi and former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's Italian Mediaset group are to join forces in the future. Both companies agreed on a strategic and industrial partnership, as Vivendi announced in Paris at the weekend. The aim is to launch joint initiatives for the production of TV content and distribution via a global platform. Under the agreement, 3.5 percent of the share capital is to be exchanged in each case. Vivendi is also acquiring 100 percent of Mediaset's pay-TV channel Premium. According to Vivendi, the merger, which is to be completed in the coming months, is subject to approval by the relevant regulatory authorities. Vivendi, already the leading provider of pay-TV in France with Canal+, believes that Mediaset's Premium will strengthen its base in European pay-TV. The French company now expects to have a total of 13 million customers. The Group also sees Italy as a market with major growth opportunities.

The overall aim is to strengthen its position in Southern Europe. The Vivendi Group, which is also active in Africa, Poland and Vietnam, sees itself on the way to becoming a global player with European roots. With Studiocanal Vivendi, the Group already owns a European film production company that intends to expand its activities in the TV production sector through investments in Spain and the UK. With the Universal Music Group and YouTube competitor Dailymotion, the French company has a broad range of media at its disposal. It also has providers and systems for tickets, digital radio and video-on-demand. (SDA)

In the photo in question, the "Glanz & Gloria" presenter poses as a dwarf and is clearly having fun. The "real" people with dwarfism can't share the joy of this portrayal. René Vollmer, spokesman for the Association of People with Dwarfism in Switzerland, told Schweiz am Sonntag that he was "shocked". One would expect an SRF presenter to show more respect and consideration for people "who do not meet the visual standards of our society". The diminutive singer Vanessa Grand also believes that as a public figure, you have to think carefully about what you post - "because images like this can really hurt those affected."

SRF defends Frey. The picture was in connection with a special program project of "Glanz & Gloria" and had to do with a planned youth week, says editorial director Paola Biason. They practice people journalism with dignity and respect - and would "never even remotely think" of making fun of anyone. "If that happened, we apologize for it."

René Vollmer does not accept the Youth Week explanation - the photo does not show children or young people, but a small woman. (hae/SaS)
 

Last week, Salt's new management delivered harsh criticism of previous leadership during the presentation of the company's 2015 financial results (Werbewoche.ch reported). The turnaround at Salt was impaired, among other things, by previous management errors, it said in a statement on Thursday. In this context, the former Salt management was not only accused of an excessively high churn rate, but also specifically of a "failed IT conversion" and the "inadequate credit assessment of new customers".

In December 2015, the sudden departure of Johan Andsjö as CEO was announced (Werbewoche.ch reported). Andsjö had planned the name change from Orange to Salt, as well as the entire rebranding as a driving force together with Publicis. The long-standing Orange agency was already involved in the development of the new Salt brand in the fall of 2013, as Publicis CEO and current "Werbewoche Advertiser of the Year" Curdin Janett explained in the Interview with Werbewoche revealed. The multi-million campaign must be considered a success. Within a very short time, the Orange brand, which had previously been present on the Swiss mobile market for 16 years, was also replaced in people's minds by the Salt brand.

This collaboration has now come to an end. "The rebranding from Orange to Salt was a great success in several respects. One that can be proven with various figures and was only possible because the customer and the then owner were refreshing, courageous and visionary. We therefore cannot understand the negative statements made by the current Salt management towards the former management team and the now sudden change of direction in marketing and communications," Publicis management said in a statement on the situation. However, Salt is wished every success with its new strategy, it says at the end of the statement.

According to Publicis, the contractual relationship with Salt expired at the end of last year. However, it had been intended to continue working for the mobile provider on a project basis. To date, however, there has been no further collaboration. As the agency emphasizes, the current communication measures in particular, on which Salt is only working with typography and a new claim, were not developed by Publicis. (hae)
 

Sweden was the first country in the world to abolish censorship by law in 1766. To mark the 250th anniversary of this memorable step, the Scandinavians are launching another world first: Sweden is the first country to have its own telephone number. The campaign developed by the Swedish Tourist Board itself is as simple as it is clever: 793 336 stands for "SWEDEN" on the classic telephone keypad and connects the caller with any resident of Sweden who has registered for the campaign as an ambassador for the country via the app. And there must be a lot of them, because the campaign has only been running since April 8 and has already received almost 40,000 calls from all over the world. Most of them are from the USA, followed by the UK, Turkey, the Netherlands and Australia.
 

You can find out more about the Scandinavian charm offensive at Theswedishnumber.com. Just in case you feel the need to talk to a real expert about Ikea shelves, Volvo, Imbrahimovic or meatballs. (hae)

The Panama Papers have caused quite a stir in recent days. In Switzerland, the Sonntagzeitung and Le Matin Dimanche investigation team, led by Oliver Zihlmann, played a key role in the research work. For the first time, a leak with multimedia dossiers containing infographics, videos, further articles etc. has been published online. Among other things, the explanatory video "Best Friends" as an intro helps enormously to explain the non-transparent economic processes briefly and comprehensibly. In close cooperation with the head of the research desk, Meinunternehmensfilm designed and produced the explanatory video "Best Friends" on the Putin case in the Panama Papers.
 

According to the press release, the Mediterranean scent is intended to reinforce the summery image and awaken a longing for summer, warmth and vacation in the minds of passers-by. The price display and the slogan "Want a change of scenery?" are intended to encourage people to book flights for the coming summer as early as possible in order to benefit from the best fares.

Silvia Herrero, Easyjet Marketing Manager for Switzerland: "Innovation has always been at the heart of our company's marketing strategy. Once again, we are at the forefront with this unique, multi-sensory approach. It sets us apart in the market, creates a positive surprise effect for passers-by and gives them a little taste of summer." The campaign in Basel runs until April 24, 2016.

There are situations in life you simply don’t expect: an airbag that deploys unexpectedly, for example, or a car seat that moves on its own—all because of a «defective» seat belt. Two short commercials—one message: «Le Garage» provides fast, hassle-free help, regardless of the make of your car. And it does so 280 times across Switzerland.

The commercials will air on Swiss television channels in two waves: the first begins in April 2016, and the second will air starting in October 2016. Agency 01 is responsible for the idea and concept, while GSP Get Some Popcorn, Zurich, is responsible for production.

Sarah Hubli joins Check Point as Marketing and Office Manager and is responsible for all marketing and event-related activities at the security provider as well as office management in this newly created position. The 36-year-old joins Check Point from Electrolux, where she previously worked for Hitachi Data Systems, Colt Telecom and Philips Heartcare Telemedicine Services.

The two positions of Major Account Manager will be held by Michael Oertel and Martin A. Steiger. Both look after and advise Check Point's largest corporate customers. In addition to maintaining the existing customer base, they are also responsible for expanding it and acquiring new customers. Both report to Major Account Manager Roman Stefanov.

The 39-year-old Michael Oertel brings with him in-depth expertise in the insurance and credit sector, having held positions including Regional Director at insurance broker AU Group Swiss, Chief Sales Manager at Atradius Credit Insurance N.V. and Head of Sales at Crif.

Martin A. Steiger was Enterprise Account Manager Storage at Oracle before joining Check Point. Before that, the 52-year-old held various sales and key account positions at EMC, Hewlett-Packard, Compuware and Mercury Interactive.
 

Swiss Mobiliar is the oldest private insurance company in Switzerland. Metadesign was entrusted with the task of resolutely leading the traditional brand into the future - especially in the context of new digital requirements and opportunities.

Mobiliar is characterized by its optimistic basic attitude. At the heart of the brand is the attitude that damage is part of life - and to resolutely support its customers in the event of a claim. In this way, Mobiliar underscores its unique position as a cooperatively anchored company in the insurance landscape.

Based on this positioning, Metadesign has further developed the brand presence. The logo in different language variants and the striking use of the color red convey the brand as a close partner nationwide - from advertising to digital media to the general agencies. Particular importance is attached to mobile digital applications in the new appearance. The new appearance takes into account that the brand is staged decentrally via the general agencies. The popular claims sketches remain an essential part of the advertising communication. A defined brand language also creates the basis for communicating verbally in the spirit of the brand.

Metadesign initially developed the first prototypes together with the experienced illuminated advertising company Westiform and the responsible person at Mobiliar. In a coordination and development process, the products were finalized - now the time has come, by summer 2016, all locations throughout Switzerland as well as 24 special locations will be equipped with new lighting elements and lettering.

Westiform accompanied the corporate design change from the very beginning, as it states in a press release. At the beginning of the project, the current situation was recorded at all locations. The product range includes illuminated signs, light boxes and pylons in the outdoor area, as well as foiling in the indoor area. On signs, the word mark will now appear in white on a red background. The illuminated signs themselves will remain red, but will glow white on the sides to create a better connection between the individual elements. The largest neon sign will be installed along the highway in Giubiasco, rising an impressive 2.5 meters in height and measuring over 16 meters in length.

The redesign not only strengthens the luminosity and presence of the furniture, but also gives the lettering an elegant, modern character.
 

Well protected, you don't have to hide from the sun, you can enjoy it carefree. This summer, the Swiss sun protection specialist Daylong invites you to take only the best of the sun under the campaign motto #Playwiththesun.

The campaign will run from April to August in good weather online, in pharmacies and drugstores as well as at events. Short vignettes in an online film will whet the appetite for playing with the sun. Mobile banners use geotargeting to show the next route to the free sample. The Swiss Instagram photographer Martina Bisaz / @kitkat_ch with over 200,000 subscribers will be spreading the desire for sunshine over the course of the summer under #Playwiththesun. Daylong.ch

After a successful pitch win in January, Saatchi & Saatchi Zurich designed and realized the campaign in close collaboration with the media agency Zenith Optimedia.

Responsible at Galderma Switzerland: Adriaan Melse (Head Business Unit OTC), Monika Vögtli (Brand Manager OTC). Responsible at Saatchi & Saatchi: Léonie Kelly, Soraya Shademan (consulting), Felix Freese, Frédéric Nogier (creation) / external partners: Hillton (Tobi Bonfanti, Patrice Gerber), Mediahirsch (Temo Sayin), Format-D Responsible at Zenith Optimedia: Francesca Cimino (Account Manager), Evelin Wachter (Digital Account Director), Laura Schierjott (Head of Performics).

Around 3,500 guild members in colorful costumes, traditional costumes and uniforms; more than 350 horsemen; around 50 horse-drawn carriages and around 30 music corps: every year, the Sechseläuten attracts tens of thousands of onlookers to the center of Zurich and hundreds of thousands of spectators in front of their television screens.

Matter Gretener Lesch was commissioned to develop the new logo visual for the traditional Zurich Spring Festival. It dramatizes the climax of the traditional event - the burning of the Böög on Sechseläutenplatz. The faster it explodes, the more beautiful the summer is supposed to be.

The new logo visual is used on posters, advertisements and a pin, among other things. In addition, the agency designed the website Sechselaeuten.ch, the Sechseläuten magazine with program, the flyer for the children's parade as well as the letters of the ZZZ Central Committee of Zurich's guilds.

Responsible at the ZZZ Central Committee of the Zurich Guilds: Victor Rosser (Communications/Marketing). Responsible at Matter Gretener Lesch: Daniel Matter (Creative Direction), Severin Candrian (Graphics), Gianluca Marques (Graphics), André Schmid (Graphics). Programming: Goldbach Interactive.

Tamedia had reported shortly before 10 p.m. on Thursday evening that the danger had passed. At that point, the malicious software had been identified, but due to human error, it was not immediately deleted, the company announced at noon on Friday. "Tamedia deeply regrets this error and apologizes to all readers for the incorrect information," the statement said. The deletion now ensures that there is no longer any danger from the news servers of 20 Minuten. Access from desktop computers via web browsers with Flash Player installed was affected. There was no danger with mobile 20 Minuten apps. Furthermore, according to Tamedia, there are no indications that Tagesanzeiger.ch or other Newsnet offerings were also affected. Experts are currently investigating whether the "Gozi" variant distributed via the website is harmful. They are also analyzing the original attack. (SDA)