The Weko's decision is a source of media-policy controversy. This is particularly the case because various publishers and the Publishers Association had already made it clear in the run-up to the Weko decision that they would fight this advertising alliance between a private media company and the state-affiliated companies Swisscom and SRG. Their main argument was that this advertising alliance would lead to further distortion of competition. In fact, the Weko expects the joint venture to become one of the strongest advertising marketers in Switzerland, it said Wednesday. Nevertheless, the Weko assumes that the advertising market will continue to function because there are other strong competitors, Weko Director Rafael Corazza said in response to a question. He added that the fact that Swisscom and SRG, two companies close to the state, are involved played no role in the decision. "We treat them the same as private companies."

With regard to the accusation of distortion of competition, Corazza refers to the mandate of the Weko. The decisive question for the authority in assessing the merger was whether it would create a dominant position that would eliminate competition, says Corazza. The question of distortion of competition, on the other hand, did not arise. If there is a distortion of competition, it already exists today as a result of the advertising activities of the fee-financed SRG, which is politically intended.

SRG not allowed to use new advertising platform for the time being

The decision is viewed differently according to the interests at stake. Swisscom, SRG and Ringier, for example, are delighted. The new advertising marketer has the chance to make a difference in the Swiss advertising market, said Swisscom CEO Urs Schaeppi, for example, on the sidelines of a media conference at the ETH in Lausanne. There was also no reason to worry, he added. The new advertising platform will be open to everyone. For Ringier, the joint marketing organization has cleared a first important hurdle. "But we still want to wait for the assessment of the Federal Office of Communications (Bakom)," said Ringier spokesman Edi Estermann when asked.

In September, Bakom launched an investigation into whether SRG's participation in the advertising alliance impairs SRG's programming mandate or significantly restricts the scope for development of private publishing houses and media providers. If Bakom finds this to be the case, it can propose specific requirements for SRG to the Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (Uvek). In order not to be presented with a fait accompli, Bakom has issued a precautionary measure. For the time being, SRG is not allowed to use the new joint advertising platform, as Bakom announced on Wednesday. The ban applies until the conclusion of the supervisory procedure, but at the latest until March 31, 2016.

Publishers call for federal intervention

The advertising marketer Goldbach Group, Aktion Medienfreiheit and the Swiss Media Association (VSM), on the other hand, are disappointed with the Weko decision. The VSM regrets the Weko decision, it says in a media release on Wednesday. However, the decision does not come as a surprise, as the Weko was not able to take into account the distortion of competition. The VSM is therefore now calling for Bakom to intervene. Bakom should either prohibit the alliance in this form or ensure that user data and SRG content are passed on, or allow all interested partners to participate in the alliance, the statement said. According to a statement, Goldbach Group regrets that the Weko made its decision despite major concerns from the companies not involved in the advertising alliance. It will now be up to the supervisory authorities and politicians to ensure that the joint venture does not put the other media companies at an additional disadvantage, it adds. For Aktion Medienfreiheit, the "absurd decision of the Weko" shows little liberal understanding of the economy. In order to prevent the further advance of state-owned companies into commercial areas, appropriate measures must be taken as soon as possible, writes the campaign in a statement. Now it is up to the politicians.

Swisscom, SRG and Ringier announced in mid-August that they intend to merge their advertising marketing activities in a joint company (Werbewoche.ch reported). By combining their advertising sales, the three companies say they want to stand up to international online giants such as Google and Facebook in the advertising market. While Swisscom is contributing not only technological expertise but also the marketing rights to its online platforms and Swisscom TV, Ringier and SRG are ceding the marketing rights to their high-reach media offerings. As a result of the merger in the advertising sector, Ringier left the Swiss Media Association at the end of August (Werbewoche.ch reported).

Franken, who previously worked at Glue, Poke and Saatchi & Saatchi in London, joined Ogilvy One in 2011, where he has been responsible for the agency's creative output since 2013. During this time, the 36-year-old creative director shaped the online campaigns for various well-known Swiss clients as well as overall campaigns such as the launch of Ricardolino at the end of 2012, the re-launch of Ricardolino to OLX.ch and the annual lead generation campaigns for the health insurance company Sanagate. Barbara Dürst (Managing Director Ogilvy One) and Yvan Piccino (Head of Digital) are also members of the management team.

 

The ban will apply until the conclusion of the supervisory procedure by OFCOM, but until March 31, 2016 at the latest, as announced by the Federal Office on Wednesday. Bakom is currently reviewing SRG's participation in the joint venture in terms of broadcasting law. According to the press release, the Federal Office is examining in particular whether the joint venture supported by SRG impairs the fulfillment of SRG's programming mandate or significantly restricts the scope for development of other media companies. Should OFCOM determine that this is the case, it can propose specific conditions for SRG to the Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC). With the precautionary ruling, OFCOM wants to ensure that the ongoing review can continue without being presented with a fait accompli, according to the press release.

In a written reaction, SRG shows understanding for the precautionary ban. It has always been clear to SRG that the new marketing organization could only actively enter the market once the ongoing review by OFCOM had been completed, writes SRG. The Bakom's decision to limit the precautionary measure until the end of March 2016 at the latest provides SRG with welcome planning certainty, according to the statement
continue.

The Swiss Federal Competition Commission (ComCo) announced on Wednesday that it is approving the joint venture between Swisscom, SRG and Ringier without conditions. Following an in-depth review, the Competition Commission does not expect effective competition to be eliminated in the advertising market (Werbewoche.ch reported). It is therefore refraining from imposing a ban and conditions. (SDA)

It has long enjoyed cult status: the speech with which Lévy addresses the employees of the Publicis network spread across the globe at the end of the year - and anyone else who wants to watch. Actually, his French accent alone would be reason enough to watch the YouTube videos. More importantly, they are entertaining. 2012 the audience member who paused or fast-forwarded his rambling speech was reprimanded by Lévy (unfortunately, the interactive video no longer works today - presumably due to changes on YouTube). In the past year viewers were able to fish lions out of Lévy's office using their smartphones.

In the current video, Lévy warns at the beginning that this time the viewer can expect nothing funny and no technical tricks. An understatement. Because the Publicis boss soon explains that you can skip his speech using the "Skip Maurice" button to watch a few commercials. Tempting. And it's worth it: Lévy doesn't miss the opportunity to appear in one or two commercials himself. Because he hasn't finished his speech by the time you've skipped.

The whole thing cannot be embedded, but on Publicisgroupewishes2016.com in all its glory. (hae)

Ursula Gabathuler, 46, studied zoology at the University of Zurich and the University of Cape Town. She also studied Communication Management and Leadership at the Zurich University of Applied Sciences in Winterthur. Before joining Swiss Television, Ursula Gabathuler was head of the consumer and health department at the magazine "Beobachter".

She began her career at SRF in 2007 as an editor at "Kassensturz", and from 2012 she was a producer at the consumer magazine show, where she was also jointly responsible for setting the topics, content and construction of the program. She moved to "Rundschau" in the same role in 2014. From April 1, 2016, Ursula Gabathuler will take over as head of the Kassensturz/Espresso consumer editorial team.

Ursula Gabathuler will succeed Wolfgang Wettstein. According to the press release, he has decided to take some time out and pursue a new career direction. He is handing over the editorial management of the Konsum editorial team at his own request at the end of March 2016.

The fact that a lot of things get mixed up after a brain injury can be seen in the pointed Christmas motif developed by Kreienbühl and Vogler. The motif is currently being used as a Suva Christmas card and in the electronic media.

To ensure that people with brain injuries can also start the new year with confidence, Suva employees are foregoing Christmas gifts this year and donating the amount earmarked for this purpose to the "Chasa Flurina" association in Lavin GR. The association offers people with brain injuries places to live, crisis intervention as well as vacation and aftercare places.

Responsible at Suva: Daniela Bassi (Head of Communications & Marketing), Urs Schaad (Head of Marketing Communications), Ralph Heidemann (Communications Consulting). Responsible at Kreienbühl and Vogler advertising agency: Oli Kreienbühl, Reto Vogler, Marco Donada, Fabian Schiltknecht; Mathias Zuppiger (photography), Lorenz Wahl (image editing).
 

Mental health problems in the workplace are a challenge. They change the ability to perceive and influence behavior. They put a strain on the situation at work and often lead to conflicts. It is not uncommon for work performance to deteriorate. How can and should line managers deal with such employees? Or rather, what can they do to prevent this from happening in the first place? SVA Zurich has developed and launched the tried-and-tested 5A guidelines. It encourages line managers to integrate early detection into their day-to-day management, to tackle problematic developments in a solution-oriented manner and thus save everyone involved, not least the company, a lot of trouble.

For the launch of the 5A guide, the TBD agency designed and realized the guide, further measures and advertisements under the motto "If you look closely, you will recognize the signs".

Responsible at SVA: Daniela Aloisi (Communication). Responsible at TBD: Tom Seinige, Sandro Nicotera (creation) Sarah Gianesi (project management) Walter Pfenninger (illustrations).
 

Every year, the museum curates five to six major exhibitions that highlight the connection between constructive-concrete history and international contemporary art. Ruf Lanz has been responsible for advertising since this year. In addition to the striking new campaign (Werbewoche.ch reported), Ruf Lanz has also redesigned the image brochure. The cover takes up the campaign theme, a constructive declaration of love to Zurich and to the Zurich Concretists Max Bill, Camille Graeser, Verena Loewensberg and Richard Paul Lohse. Inside the brochure, all aspects of the Museum Haus Konstruktiv are thematized in a contemporary, generous editorial design. The new image brochure is published in German and English.

Responsible at the Museum Haus Konstruktiv: Sabine Schaschl (Director and Curator), Andreas Durisch (President of the Board of Trustees), Flurina Ribi Forster (Press & Public Relations). Responsible at Ruf Lanz: Markus Ruf, Danielle Lanz (Creative Direction), Catherine Martin (Editorial Design), Linda Egloff (Consulting).

 

An e-panel showed and heard couples arguing, which escalated more and more and finally turned into pure violence. The argument was filmed in an apartment and broadcast live on the e-panel. For their part, passers-by were able to intervene interactively and stop the escalation by shouting.

The entire campaign has the motto "Raise your voice against domestic violence" and is part of the 16 Days against Violence against Women campaign, which runs from 25 November to 10 December and is supported by over 50 partner organizations. They all want to draw attention to a fact that one would not expect in a country as civilized as Switzerland: every second week in Switzerland, a woman dies as a result of domestic violence.

Responsible at Frauenzentrale Zürich: Andrea Gisler (President), Sandra Plaza (PR). Responsible for 16 days against violence against women: Milena Geiser (Campaigning), Regula Brunner (Communication). Responsible at Publicis: Thomas Wildberger (CCO), Urs Schrepfer, Daniel Ahrens (CD), Jan Kempter (text), Sandy Pfuhl (graphics), Cem Van der Schaar (Head of TV), Candido Righetto, Alain Götschi (consulting). Responsible for film: Markenfilm (producer), Lukas Wälli (director), Michael Gloor (producer). Responsible for technology and installation Screen: Clear Channel Switzerland, Anthony Sauter (Key Account Manager).

Since joining Goldbach in 2002, Raoul Gerber has successfully fulfilled numerous management tasks in the sales area. At the subsidiary Goldbach Media (Switzerland) AG, he was Head of Sales and a member of the Executive Board for many years. From 2014, Raoul Gerber was responsible for these two markets as Director Switzerland and Austria in the extended management of the Goldbach Group. Since 2015, he has held the position of Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) on the Executive Committee of Goldbach Group. As of January 1, 2016, he will additionally assume the function of Deputy CEO Michi Frank.

CEO Michi Frank on his new deputy: "We are clearly focusing on being a digital sales house. This is where Raoul Gerber has his strengths and core competencies. He is not only a brilliant strategist, but also excellently networked with customers and market partners. Raoul Gerber has been my very close collaborator and colleague throughout all the years and many tasks. I look forward to working with him in his new role."
 

Where there's a mountain, there's an Audi Quattro. That was already the case in Walter Röhrl's day and still is today. At least in advertising. Not only here ("Land of Quattro"), but also in Bulgaria. The agency NRG from Sofia had the idea that there is only one route for the mother of all (permanent) all-wheel drives on the mountain: Upwards - and by the most direct route. After many hours of work and four failed attempts, an oversized route description filled with helium was sent up into the sky. A refreshing idea from Eastern Europe. The realization that outside of German-speaking countries, not only the VW claim "Das Auto" but also the Audi slogan "Vorsprung durch Technik" is used for advertising comes free of charge. (hae)
 

On the Platform people who are looking for a place to celebrate at Christmas and people who still have a place free at their Christmas table come together. The idea, developed by Wirz for Ikea Switzerland, has now also caught the attention of those responsible at Ikea Germany: they liked the idea so much that they decided without further ado to adapt the campaign for Germany. Under ikea.de/gästaurant one can offer immediately also in Germany a place at its Christmas table, or find a table, at which still a place is free. Katrin Polzer of Ikea Switzerland is pleased that the idea has also been so well received abroad: "The idea of "No Empty Chairs at Christmas" has generated enthusiasm both in Ikea's global organization and in many Ikea stores. We are very pleased that this year Ikea Germany is also taking part."