Favo TV, which was acquired by Condor Films in 2006, has terminated its mandate agreement with Björn Hering. The co-founder had been working for Faro TV on an exclusive mandate basis since leaving the management of Faro TV in late fall.

Swisscanto commissioned the agency SFLB to create a fund promotion that makes the abstract investment products more understandable and tangible. For this campaign, SFLB used three subjects to create an analogy to the world of pets. Because investment funds and pets have more in common than you might think, the agency explains in a press release. A dog, for example, is more demanding than a tortoise, which in turn is less risk-averse than a horse. Swisscanto is using this comparison with the various investment funds in its new fund promotion.
The campaign can be seen on posters and e-boards, in advertisements, on the Internet and in shop windows in the cantonal banks.
Responsible at Swisscanto: Sibylle Mangold, Monika Hartmeier. Responsible at Spillmann/Felser/Leo Burnett: Patrick Suter (CD), Reto Clement (AD), Patrick Dubach (text), Pam Hügli, Tatjana Meichtry, Sarah Kappeler (consulting), Elif Gueltabak (web publishing), Hanspeter Hunger (production), Suzana Kovacevic (art buying). Photography: Patricia von Ah. Image editing: Alex Herzog (Editorial Department).

At the end of February, 17 media spokespersons successfully completed the "Professional Media Work" course at the Maz. The focus was on technical and strategic media and communication knowledge. This included media-effective copywriting, setting up and networking an efficient media office, competent appearance in front of the microphone and camera, communication in crises and issue management.
The "Professional Media Relations" course is offered by the Swiss School of Journalism Maz in cooperation with the Zurich School of Economics HWZ and the Swiss Public Relations Institute SPRI.

The subsidiary of Goldbach Media IP Multimedia has developed an agency planning system that makes it easier for media agencies and advertisers to plan, book and manage their TV campaigns. The internet-based planning and booking tool enables direct access to available advertising islands from its 11 TV stations.
The so-called Agency Planning Tool will be available a few weeks before the official opening of bookings on May 11, 2009.

The Swiss Insurance Association SIA and the Swiss Council for Accident Prevention BFU have commissioned Rod Kommunikation to develop and implement a multi-year campaign. The Zurich-based agency won the pitch against two other agencies. The campaign is aimed at young car and motorcycle drivers and is intended to raise awareness of appropriate speed in road traffic.
The first phase of the broad-based campaign will be on display from fall 2009.

In the 2008 financial year, Publisuisse reported total net sales of CHF 327 million. The previous year's result was therefore not quite achieved. Publisuisse considers the result to be satisfactory in view of the difficult underlying conditions.
The marketing of traditional television advertising for SRG channels generated net sales of CHF 293 million. The other business areas (television and radio sponsorship, Tele News Combi, Tele Romandie Combi, Screens Espace TSr, Crossmedia, UBS Arena) achieved a total result of CHF 34 million. Net profit after tax amounted to around CHF 2 million, as Publisuisse reported in a press release.
After critically scrutinizing its corporate strategy with the core business of marketing SRG and the other business areas, Publisuisse is now adapting its strategy. On the one hand, there is to be a clear focus on the exclusive marketing of SRG media's commercial communication opportunities and on the provision of media logistics services for third parties. In addition, Publisuisse's service and customer processes and structures have been reviewed and optimized.

Maxomedia has developed a direct mailing for SBB that is aimed at new business customers and is intended to illustrate the advantages of traveling by train over flying. According to a press release from the agency, a specific travel route is illustrated with two strings as a flight and a train journey. After pulling on the two strings, the viewer should realize that for routes within the 5-hour time belt around Switzerland, it is quicker to reach the destination by train than by plane.
The mailing also communicates the advantages of the SBB Business Portal to business travelers, such as the 24-hour booking option or the direct printing of train tickets at the workplace. It also contains a personalized code for the enclosed online competition: During the campaign period in January and February, vouchers for trips to Europe worth CHF 250 each will be raffled off.
Maxomedia is responsible for the design, content and implementation of the mailing and the accompanying online competition.

Organizer Marc Zehnder welcomed over 200 guests to the opening of the 2009 Direct Marketing Prize exhibition on Wednesday evening. Guido Wietlisbach, chairman of the jury, outlined a factual picture in his speech: "While the current crisis may be causing some customers to lose heart and cut costs, it is all the more important for experts to promote a sustainable and efficient dialogue with consumers and companies. The judging will show how many works deserve an award. In any case, it is a good idea to take a look at the exhibition next weekend - as inspiration against the mood of crisis.
All the dialog campaigns submitted for judging will be on display at the exhibition in the Papiersaal on the Sihlcity site in Zurich.

The Geneva Motor Show opens its doors on March 5. The Bern-based agency Polyconsult has won the tender for this year's show poster for the second time in a row and created a motif that picks up on the emotional bond between driver and vehicle. For many people, the car is more of a friend than a mere means of transportation, according to a press release. In this sense, this year's Motor Show also marks the beginning of a new love affair for many visitors.
Responsible at Geneve Palexpo, Salon international de l'automobile Genève: Rolf Studer, Claire Scimia. Responsible at Polyconsult: Jürg Tscharner (CD), Petra Brönnimann (AD/graphics), René Maeder, Jasmin Stadelmann (consulting).

The economic crisis is hitting the Swiss job market harder and harder. The number of jobs on offer on the internet in Switzerland has continued to fall. The number of jobs on offer in the marketing, advertising and media sectors has fallen in particular (-29 points). Swiss online sites are offering around 16 percent fewer jobs than three months ago, according to the Jobpilot Index published on Thursday by job placement company Monster Switzerland. Overall, the index stood at 168 points in January, 33 points lower than three months previously. For the first time, the number of vacancies on job boards also fell sharply, after previously only companies' own websites had fewer job offers.
However, job vacancies are not shrinking in all occupations: in the medical sector, for example, more jobs are being offered (+24 points), as well as in the hospitality and tourism sector (+22 points) and in the personal care, cleaning and housekeeping sector (+15 points).
The Jobpilot Index is compiled by Monster Switzerland in collaboration with the University of Zurich and the University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland. It takes into account the most important Swiss job exchanges and the job offers on the websites of around 1,000 Swiss companies and organizations.

Ergo Communication Asw has won the advertising budget for Bad Zurzach. Ergo is also advertising the fitness center operated by the wellness spa, which will open in the autumn. The agency is now responsible for the entire image.
The first work could already be seen in February: The opening of the new fitness center was announced on various posters.
Responsible at Ergo Communication Asw: Claude Hitz (CD), Sarah Därendinger (graphics), Ursi Keller and Anna Preisig (consulting). Responsible at The Spa Medical Wellness CenterDominik Keller (Managing Director).