More and more companies in Switzerland are being taken over by foreign groups, including in the pharmaceutical market. For example, the previous leader in the Basel generics market was recently taken over by a US group. Mepha was sold to Cephalon in America for CHF 623 million.
A good opportunity for the competition's advertising to communicate this situation once again: Sandoz is and will remain firmly in Swiss hands. As a Novartis subsidiary, it has adopted the high production standards of Novartis for its generics, is the only generics company in the world that can claim to have once produced original medicines itself, and can look back on a long Swiss tradition dating back to 1895.
The advertising agency's campaign thus focuses on what Sandoz products "should actually look like": Helvetia and the Swiss mountains are symbolically emblazoned on the tablets. In addition to advertisements, mailings were also used as well as "typical" vacation postcards with Swiss idylls as atmospheric images.
Andreas Panzeri

In addition to the former director of Expo.02, Martin Heller, various positions on this topic were represented on the podium.

Anne Keller Dubach, Head of Brand Communications at Swiss Re, noted in the run-up to the panel discussion that the term "cultural communication" was not commonly used in her environment and instead referred to Swiss Re's social and societal commitment, or corporate citizenship for short. The aspects of sustainability and commitment were mentioned several times during the panel discussion.

Thomas MeierRector of the ZHdK, introduced the terms reputation management and personalization into the discussion. The sometimes conflicting goals of marketing on the one hand and communication via public discourse on the other - a central characteristic of cultural communication - were discussed with entertaining descriptions of specific cases.

The podium was chaired by Karin SalmDRS 2, moderates.
The panelists sat on the Moods stage between all kinds of bizarre devices and battered musical instruments. It became clear that this was not an art installation, but the instruments of a band, when Christian Wick, President of the ZPRG, introduced the musicians after the aperitif. Pfuri, Zac & Kniri announced.

The original formation "Pfuri, Gorps & Kniri" was one of the best-known brands in German-speaking music in the 1970s. For Silvio Gardoni, Arts & Communication, an example of good cultural communication.

According to the agency, the new system should allow you to park with millimeter precision, hands-free, almost as if by magic. All you have to do is accelerate and brake and the vehicle steers itself. Weber Harbeke also geared its slogans towards this.
The motif can be seen immediately, including in French and Italian-speaking Switzerland. In addition to posters and advertisements, the campaign includes a radio spot, banners and a microsite.
Responsible at Fiat Automobiles Switzerland SA, Zurich: Marketing Manager Rudolf Schoch, Marketing Communication Director Maurizio Melzi, Communication Manager Giusi Brullo, (responsibility). Responsible at Weber Harbeke Partners, Zurich: Thomas Harbeke (CD), Giovanni Pucci, Christina Zvecevac, Angela Zgraggen (consulting), Christian Sidow (text), Marcel Fässler (art direction), Ramon Aemmer (graphics).

Der begehrteste Preis der Schweizer Fotografie, der ewz.selection-award in der Höhe von 15 000 Franken, wurde in diesem Jahr zum 12. Mal vergeben. Die prämierte Arbeit von Jacek Pulawski aus Chiasso zeigt in klassischem Schwarz-Weiss den Alltag von Prostituierten im Tessin. Der Fotopreis der SonntagsZeitung in der Kategorie Redaktionelle Fotografie geht an Peter Bohler, Los Angeles, für seine Aufnahmen aus einem amerikanischen Trainingscamp in der Wüste. Einen Kategorienpreis Free spricht die Jury Denis Jutzeler aus Petit-Lancy für seine Arbeit «Jardin idéal» zu. Der Fotopreis der Vereinigung fotografischer GestalterInnen in der Kategorie Werbefotografie geht bereits zum zweiten Mal in Folge an Jonathan Heyer aus Zürich. Er hat in seiner Arbeit «America in crisis» mit ironischem Unterton «amerikanische Mythen und Allmachtsfantasien» zitiert. Ein Fotopreis der Julius-Bär-Stiftung in der Kategorie Fine Art geht an Gabi Vogt aus Zürich. Im Schwabe Verlag ist der Katalog «Swiss Photo Selection – Die Besten 2009» erschienen mit 120 farbigen Bildern sowie Projekttexten und einem Bericht der Jury.

Erfolgreich in der Werbung: Regula Fecker und Jonathan Heyer.

Newly Discovered Sites in Aargau
Aargauische Kantonalbank has a new brand identity and is showcasing it with a new campaign. The campaign was designed by Glutz Kommunikation. The overall visual impact, combined with the chosen color scheme, is intended to foster a stronger sense of connection to the bank and the region.

New Media Plays on the Tram
In close collaboration with VBZ TrafficMedia, Publicis is promoting the Box Club Zürich with a powerful hook. They designed a sticker for the floor of a tram. When stepped on, it sounds like a boxing bell or the sound of ordering a round of beer. An audible reminder that Amboss is also a sponsor behind the initiative. The stickers can also be found in relevant bars.

The subjects advertise the four new ingredients in the product line: pomegranate, wild rose, iris and amande. The flowers and fruits used in the respective products merge with natural faces.
The communicative measures are: Advertisements, POS, Internet, giveaways and brochure
Responsible at Weleda: Heidi Bucher (Head of Marketing). Patricia Pécourt (Advertising/Communications). Responsible at ViznerBorel: Lajos Vizner, Guillaume Borel (overall responsibility). Hanna Zimmermann (Creative Direction). Nina Treml (text). Martina Glaser (consulting). Mierswa & Kluska (photography). Detail AG (production).

The central message of the campaign is to draw attention to the fact that the energy advisors of EWL - ewl energie wasser luzern - help to reduce energy consumption. The aim is to bring energy advice and the efficient use of energy closer to customers. With the opening of the energy advice center at Mühlenplatz, communication is to be intensified - with wit and charm.
Over the next two weeks, Lucerne residents will not only see the motif in the daily press and on posters, but will also see it winking at them from the cinema screen in animated form. The solar lamps, which will be distributed as a further measure at the official opening of the Energy Advice Center, will also bring light into the darkness.
Responsible at EWL: Iris Isenschmid (Head of Communications), Cécile Berlinger (Planning and Concept). Responsible at Ideart Lucerne: Ludek Martschini (idea & creation), Peter Martschini (production & organization), Martin Bucher (text).

Do I have to send a defaulting customer three reminders before I am allowed to initiate debt collection, and does the final reminder have to be sent by registered mail? The answer to these two common questions is: No. The dunning process is not regulated by law in Switzerland. It is up to the entrepreneur whether, how quickly and how often he wants to remind a customer of an outstanding monetary claim. There are also no regulations regarding the form. The entrepreneur can send reminders in writing, orally, by phone, by e-mail or even by SMS.
The three-stage reminder system has proven its worth
In practice, the three-stage reminder system is widely used. A payment reminder (first reminder) is followed by a second reminder, then a third with the threat of debt collection. Chasing after money is not one of the most popular tasks in most companies. Moreover, one does not want to annoy a customer with hasty reminders. Nevertheless, it is advisable not to wait too long before sending reminders. Outstanding accounts receivable have caused serious financial problems for many companies.
Many companies also find it difficult to write these unpleasant messages. With formulations such as "Should this letter have crossed with your payment, please consider it to be without object" or "Otherwise, we would be forced to initiate debt collection", one does not want to appear too rude. However, such messages usually do not have the intended effect and are not taken seriously. In a reminder letter, be sure to use a friendly but firm tone (see examples of wording).
Paper is patient
If all reminders remain ineffective, call your customer before you initiate the debt collection. Perhaps your customer will take this opportunity to ask you for payment by installments or an extended deadline. Always have such agreements confirmed in writing. If the customer pays, you have saved yourself the cost and effort of debt collection proceedings. Many companies have very good experience with this procedure. It is certainly worth a try.
Formulation examples
For reasons of evidence, you should not send your reminders by e-mail, but by letter. It is sufficient if you send the third reminder by registered mail.
Payment reminder (first reminder)
"Perhaps in the hustle and bustle of everyday life you have overlooked the fact that you have not yet paid our invoice of March 23. Thank you for making the transfer in the next few days. Do you have any questions? Give us a call."
Second reminder
"Despite our payment reminder of April 15, you have still not transferred the outstanding amount of CHF 1250. Please pay this invoice by the end of this week. If you provide us with a proposal, we are also happy to discuss installment payments."
Third and final reminder
"You have not responded to our reminders of April 15 and April 30. You have also not submitted a payment proposal to us. We ask you one last time to pay the outstanding amount of CHF 1250 by May 31. Do not let this last deadline pass unused. Otherwise, we will initiate debt collection without further notice. However, we hope that this will not be necessary."

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However, the 13 companies are resisting these cost-cutting measures. Some of them have been providing RSI with staff such as cameramen or sound technicians as well as services and products for decades. Many of the employees are already working under constantly precarious conditions and often receive unemployment benefits, the companies write in a joint letter to RSI, which was published by the newspaper La RegioneTicino on Tuesday.
The companies are prepared to discuss a new pricing policy with RSI. But these negotiations must be conducted transparently, bilaterally and sector by sector, they demand. RSI spokeswoman Stefania Verzasconi confirmed to the news agency SDA on Tuesday that RSI is considering possible cost-cutting measures. This also includes a cost analysis of suppliers. Verzasconi left open how much money RSI intends to save in this area in the future. It is still too early to talk about figures, she said. Negotiations with the companies are still ongoing.

De Weck, the host of «Sternstunden,» was editor-in-chief of *Zeit* and *Tagesanzeiger* and a member of Tamedia’s executive board. He is president of the Institut de hautes études internationales et du développement (Graduate Institute) in Geneva and a freelance journalist. He lives in Zurich, is married, and is the father of four adult children. He was born in Fribourg and grew up bilingual in Geneva and Zurich. De Weck studied economics at the University of St. Gallen (lic.oec. HSG) and completed a publishing management trainee program in Hamburg. He holds an honorary doctorate from the University of Lucerne.
«We are convinced that in Roger de Weck we have found a respected, media-savvy individual of integrity who also has experience as a leader in positions involving extensive operational and financial responsibility, and who thus largely meets our requirements. De Weck is a guarantee of responsible journalism grounded in the right values. Thanks to his affinity for sociopolitical issues, his roots in French-speaking Switzerland, and his extensive network in politics, business, culture, and academia, he is ideally positioned to advance our media company,» explains Jean-Bernard Münch, Chairman of the Board of Directors of SRG.

Career History
Roger de Weck began his journalism career at the Tribune de Genève; later, he also wrote for 24 heures, Die Weltwoche, and served as the Paris correspondent for Die Zeit. In 1990, he took over as head of the business section at Die Zeit in Hamburg. In 1992, he became editor-in-chief of the Tages-Anzeiger and a member of Tamedia’s executive board. In 1997, he returned to *Die Zeit* as editor-in-chief. Since 2001, he has been a freelance journalist, working for television, radio, and print media both in Switzerland and abroad.
In 2004, he became president of the board of trustees of the prestigious Institut universitaire de hautes études internationales in Geneva, which he helped merge with the Institut universitaire d’études du développement. Today, he serves as president of the merged Institut de hautes études internationales et du développement (Graduate Institute), which has approximately 900 students and 45 professors.

SRG Directors General Since 1931
This year, the SRG’s new Director General was elected by the Delegates’ Assembly for the first time. When outgoing Director General Armin Walpen was elected in 1996, it was still up to the Federal Council to confirm the nomination.
Since the SRG was founded in 1931, seven directors general have led the organization. The last three were members of the CVP. Here is a list of the SRG’s directors general:

1996-2010: Armin Walpen
A CVP politician from Upper Valais, a lawyer whose career has taken him through the Federal Office for Electronic Communications (EVED, part of the Federal Department of Transport, Energy and Communications), the *Tages-Anzeiger*, the Federal Department of Justice and Police (EJPD), and the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SRG). Under his leadership, SRG was given the suffix «idée suisse»; Schweizer Radio International transitioned from a shortwave broadcaster to the Swissinfo internet platform; and the digitization of radio and television began.

1987-1996: Antonio Riva
A member of the CVP from Ticino, he had built his career at Radio and Television Ticino (RTSI). During his term in office, the SRG was reorganized, and the third and fourth television and radio networks were introduced.

1981-1987: Leo Schürmann
Member of the National Council (CVP/SO), first Price Commissioner in 1973–74, member of the National Bank’s Executive Board. During his tenure, SRG radio introduced third-program channels for a young audience (in response to the licensing of private radio stations in 1983), and television launched Teletext.

1972-1981: Stelio Molo
A member of the FDP from Ticino, formerly an editor at the SDA and director of Radio Monteceneri. He is particularly committed to ensuring that radio and television remain independent of political influence.

1950-1972: Marcel Bezençon
Previously director of the Lausanne radio studio. During his tenure, television and the SRG radio's second channels were introduced.

1936-1950: Alfred W. Glogg
As Director General, he steered the SRG through the difficult war years. Under his leadership, the SRG became more centralized.

1931-1936: Maurice Rambert
A pioneer of radio in Lausanne becomes the first director general of the SRG. The SRG is granted an exclusive license by the Federal Council for radio broadcasting in Switzerland.

(Image: Keystone)

"Zambo" is the first trimedial editorial office of SF and Radio DRS to implement media convergence. SF spokesperson David Affentranger confirmed a report by Blick am Abend at the request of the news agency SDA. The format will be headed by the former head of SF's children's program department, Thomas Grond. "Zambo" replaces the previous programs "Tubii" (SF) and "Pirando" (DRS).

Speakers included social media marketer Alexander Wunschel and Felix Mendes, Vice President of Xing. Patrick Meininger, Head of Strategy and Development at Adconion, showed how commercial communication is increasingly making use of push technology. Finally, Ulrich Tilgner, Middle East correspondent for Swiss television, reported on the importance of the Internet in the war-torn Orient. Throughout the event, OnEmotion operated a specially developed iPhone application (iVote), which allowed conference participants to continuously vote on whether and how they liked what was on offer.

Social Media Award launched
The Küsnacht-based company has been presenting the Cross Media Award for several years now. Klaus Kappeler, CEO of Goldbach Media, also announced the presentation of a Social Media Award next year. Goldbach Media wants to show the importance of using social networks and how diverse social media networking can be, according to a press release issued on Tuesday.