The Thurgauer Zeitung (TZ), part of the Zurich-based Tamedia Group, is cutting 160 jobs in production and 130 in the proofreading department. Four people are affected by these cost-cutting measures. TZ will still be working with around 50 people, confirmed editor-in-chief Ursula Fraefel in a report by Kleinreport. The production team will still employ seven people in 6.5 positions. Fraefel told SDA that even before the cost-cutting measures were announced, someone had resigned from their 50 percent position in the production team. This position will not be filled either.
Fraefel pointed out that TZ had created new jobs this year: two at the newsdesk and two people had been hired for the new youth site "Mostindia". An additional person had also been hired in Hinterthurgau.

The Zurich advertising agency Zogg.Kettiger.Gasser has set a new course. As of January 1, 2009, the former partner Max Winiger has taken over the almost 30-year-old agency from the three company founders Peter Kettiger, Oskar Gasser and Heiner U. Zogg. Now the name is also changing. The agency is now called Next AG für Kommunikation. On September 1, 2009, the company will also move from Oerlikon to Schaffhauserplatz in the center of Zurich.
Max Winiger, formerly a journalist, editor-in-chief and editor at Radio DRS, has been with the agency for almost ten years. The 48-year-old was previously responsible for strategy, among other things. Karin Zumbühl is a member of the
Management and authorized to sign. Peter Kettiger and Oskar Gasser continue to look after clients and actively support the new agency structure. Heiner Zogg is available as Senior Creative Consultant if required.
Between 2002 and 2008, ZKG served Fiat, Alfa Romeo and Lancia, among others, for Leo Burnett and Armando Testa in Switzerland. In the healthcare sector, Next already works for nine pharmaceutical companies, including Roche and Novartis. The agency develops communication concepts for product launches and relaunches, implements awareness campaigns among physicians and the public, implements PR measures and supports clients in the areas of corporate communication and public affairs.

The personnel committees of Tagesanzeiger and Druckzentrum Bubenberg, the employee organizations Comedia and Impressum as well as Tamedia have agreed on a social plan. The social plan that has now been adopted includes, among other things, the extension of the ordinary notice period by up to three months in the event of unemployment. Alternatively, employees can choose to compensate for a difference in income in the event of unemployment or starting a new job for a maximum of twelve months, or 18 months in the case of support obligations. This protects employees against a loss of income for at least one year after the end of the notice period, according to a press release.

Severance payments planned
Employees who do not take early retirement would also receive a severance payment of at least one month's salary. Permanent freelancers would be treated in the same way as permanent employees, the statement continues. Employees aged 58 and over could choose between two different early retirement programs as an alternative to the social plan. The costs will be financed from the welfare fund of the former Tagesanzeiger for the city and canton of Zurich.

Thomas Weingart, 39, from Thurgau, will take over as head of the Eastern Switzerland regional editorial team at Swiss Radio DRS on August 1. Weingart succeeds Thomas Schifferle, who has taken over as head of the "Leben und Leute" editorial team at DRS 1.
Weingart has been managing the regional editorial office for Eastern Switzerland with its studios in St. Gallen and Chur and its 27 employees on an interim basis since May, as Schweizer Radio DRS announced on Tuesday. He has been working for Radio DRS since 2004, having previously worked for the Thurgauer Zeitung and the Thurgauer Tagblatt.

The advertisers at Jung von Matt/Limmat have developed a snack for Health Promotion Switzerland that not only tastes good and looks cool, but is also healthy. The "Karakete". At first glance, the "Karakete" is reminiscent of the well-known rocket ice cream. But when you unwrap the "Karakete", you are holding a healthy, tasty organic carrot on a wooden stick. The aim is to teach children in a playful way that a healthy snack can also be fun and tasty.
The car package will be distributed freshly packaged in an initial edition of 3,000 pieces at various Swiss family events.

Responsible at Health Promotion Switzerland: Susanne Gäumann (Head of Communications), Victoria Graf (Project Manager Campaigns). Responsible at Jung von Matt/Limmat: Alexander Jaggy, Lukas Frei (CD), Bruce Roberts (AD), Thomas Ammann (text), Fabian Röthlisberger, Michèle Gutmann, Milène Huber (consulting).

Frame Eleven came out on top in a pitch by Comparis.ch. The Zurich-based electronic media agency created and produced several editorial clips on the subject of saving money for the internet comparison service. Using simple imagery, they communicate useful tips in the search for a good purchase. The clips have been running on various platforms and on Comparis.ch since mid-June.

> To the spot

Responsible at Comparis: Valentin Staub (Project Manager), Christian Schmelter (Head of Marketing & Advertising). Responsible at Frame Eleven: Marc Haas (CD), Angelika Bühler (consulting) , Lilian Lüthi (project management) Oliver Aemisegger (AD), Simon Piniel (animation).

Danilo M. Ciaravolo has joined the three-strong sales team at content provider Cinergy as Key Account Manager with immediate effect. Under the management of Sandor Laczko, the 27-year-old will strengthen the agency division in particular. The qualified marketing communications planner previously worked as a key account manager at Tilllate Switzerland for two years. Cinergy publishes portals in the cinema, VOD, TV and nightlife segments.

The advertisers at Spillmann/Felser/Leo Burnett have realized an advertising campaign for Migros magazine. This drew the attention of potential advertising customers to the advertising rates as well as the total circulation and reach of the publication - 2,872,000 readers. To present the offer as a "cheap bargain", the advertising agency packaged the magazine's readers as if they could buy it in the nearest store.

Responsible at Migros Magazine: Bernt Maulaz (Publishing Director), Jrene Shirazi (Head of Marketing). Responsible at SFLB: Dana Wirz (AD), Diana Rossi (text), Martin Spillmann, Peter Brönnimann (CD), Pam Hügli, Amanda Wheeler, Marco Chini (consulting). Photographer: Felix Streuli. Image editing: Patrick Rohner. Prepress: rtk Kloten.

Adlink Internet Media AG today reached an agreement with Hi-Media to contribute its display marketing business to the Hi-Media Group. In return, the Adlink Group will receive 10.7 percent of the shares in the French advertising network as well as around EUR 12.2 million in cash. The Adlink Group will grant Hi-Media a vendor loan for the cash component. This is due by June 30, 2011 at the latest. The transaction is to be completed by the end of August 2009. In future, the Adlink Group will focus its operating business on the performance-based business areas "Affiliate Marketing" (affilinet) and "Domain Marketing" (Sedo). .