After recently announcing its plans to take over and purify UBS (see: ), the weekly newspaper WOZ has now launched its first campaign. At the UBS AGM in Basel, it was looking for frustrated shareholders to donate their shares to the newspaper for this purpose. From now on, you can also transfer UBS shares to the weekly newspaper. The newspaper will also buy a share in the beleaguered major bank for every new subscription. WOZ still needs around 1.032 billion subscriptions to acquire the majority of shares. The SFLB agency was the inspiration for the campaign.

 
Nannette Graf is convinced of Basel as a location: Her roots in the city on the bend of the Rhine are her daily motivation as head of the agency Kreisvier communications ag.  
Sauerkraut with champagne, cooked in Alsace. Maultaschen in Lörrach, Baden. And a lot of culture in a very small space. Nannette Graf loves the beautiful life in the border triangle with a passion. And so it's no question to her why her agency Kreisvier communications is not located in the advertising mecca of Zurich. Although the name is actually quite Zurich-inspired - and the agency can also list many clients from Zurich in its portfolio. But Nannette Graf is fully convinced of the location at the Rhine bend. Basel is "a good playing field for global players as well as for local heroes. Baselworld or now Euro 08 bring a cosmopolitan feeling. The carnival provides local security. "Everything is manageable, but with a wide horizon. I like this mixture." This year, Nannette Graf took over as CEO of the agency after Kreisvier restructured itself. "But the term agency manager or managing director suits me much better," she thinks. She sees it as bringing her closer to her clients and also to her employees. "I want to be able to meet my partners at eye level. CEO, on the other hand, implies: far up, far away." Nannette Graf prefers to be "in the thick of things".
And that happens conspicuously, for example, when the managing director buzzes through the offices every now and then, checking out the 20 employees to see how they feel about asparagus risotto or some other delicious menu. "We have a kitchen set up in the basement of our agency. When I need a creative break, I cook lunch there," Graf explains. The almost meditative stirring in the pots is a mental stimulus for new ideas, and not just for the CEO. The team spirit in the agency can also only benefit from such joint "eatshops.
Today, Graf runs the Kreisvier agency together with his business partner Karo Hafner. The latter acts as Head of Creation. The number 3 in Basel's agency ranking is a full-service agency, but does not see itself as a pure creation and concept agency. "What we come up with, we also implement in the daily market," says Graf. In addition to classic advertising and corporate design, Kreisvier understands POS and sales marketing - here Coop is an important client. But it is a coincidence that the headquarters of the major distributor is located just across the street. The agency was founded without this client in its portfolio.
For sales promotion, Coop must above all be able to rely on speed and reliability. "And it needs well-structured work processes," explains Graf, because everything is implemented "at very short notice".
In the field of dialog marketing, Kreisvier works primarily for publishing houses and has many years of experience in this specialized business. Tele, TV-Star and Baslerstab are currently being supported with campaigns for both advertising and advertising marketing. For TV-Star, a joint campaign with six other titles is currently underway. For Baslerstab, a classic campaign has also been designed around the recent relaunch. She is also proud of the current campaign for Roche vocational training. And of course, as a true Basel native, of the work for the location marketing and Basel Tourism.
In addition to her work in her agency, Nannette Graf also worked for several years as a lecturer for media and production at the KV in Zurich and Basel. However, "due to time constraints" she has since reduced this commitment to exam expert.
For the future, the managing director plans to expand Kreisvier's online competencies in line with the trend. But then the growth should come to an end. After Kreisvier grew from 4 people to 30 in a relatively short period of time, Graf sees the agency settling back down to "the ideal size" of around 20 employees. After all, they want to be able to remain within the walls they have grown to love on Thiersteinerallee, in the immediate vicinity of Basel's sbb train station.
Nannette Graf is also closely associated with the history of Basel advertising. Her father, Peter Graf, worked at GGK for 30 years. As a girl, Nannette loved to play and draw in the offices of dad and his creative colleagues. "These crazy people were part of my life. Everything was a bit colorful and different," she recalls of that world. After school, she therefore also wanted to go into advertising, rather to her father's chagrin. But at Basler cR, she started her career with an internship. "Making copies, fetching coffee, and filling in for higher-ups." When the internship was over, Nannette Graf wanted to clear out her desk and look for her future at Sawi. Startled by so much enthusiasm for advertising, however, cR promptly made her a real job offer and paid her Sawi while she was at it.
At 20, she graduated as one of the youngest and, after four years of cR, went traveling. Greece, Mexico, America. In between, she had various freelance jobs until she stuck with Dialog, the agency she was working for at the time. Over the next six years, she worked part-time to become a communications manager. The next stop was the up-and-coming and at the time "very hip agency" Ckdt. But when Stefan Burckhardt sold his company to Seiler, "the groove was kind of gone" among the staff. Graf moved to Favo, which, however, also changed hands. So it seemed to her that the time was finally ripe for something of her own: in 2001, Nannette Graf founded Kreisvier communications ag with three other partners.
And what does she want for her Basel agency today? "Clear, sincere communication. We want to define ourselves through good products and services and not just create dream worlds."
 
Andreas Panzeri

 
René Worni about television on the palm of your hand. 
 
Who was actually waiting for mobile TV? "Suddenly we thought it was 8:1 for Japan in the game between Japan and Brazil - because we couldn't see the score," said Sat-1 broadcaster Mathias Alberti about his experience with mobile TV at last year's Screenup. Nevertheless, investments are being made heavily: In Switzerland, industry experts estimate that Swisscom has invested around CHF 50 million in mobile TV with its own DVB-H network for better transmission quality. But is this investment worth it if you can't watch anything other than the familiar programs on your DVB-H cell phone? With the difference that the pictures are jerky, movies with subtitles become a problem and in the football stadium the striker has already sunk the ball into the left crossbar eight seconds before the "Tooooor!" appears on the cell phone. Perhaps it remains to examine some everyday situations for potential for mobile TV: watching TV in bed, on the toilet, in the dentist's waiting room, on the playground or under the school desk. But there are still no programs that do justice to this special form of television. TV consumption via mouse cinema is certainly subject to other laws, which the hasty makers, blinded by Euro 08, probably thought were too insignificant. If you think about the flow of commuters, for example, then the corresponding programs for cell phones are almost inevitable. Trend observers are predicting that mobile devices will soon give the commuter press a run for its money.
And so last week's presentation by the communications giant mainly left us with questions. People may argue about the sense and nonsense of mobile television, but like any new technology, it offers potential for innovation. However, there was a persistent silence about this. Those responsible only had their Bluewin TV in focus, whose mobile version as Bluewin TV mobile is quite monopolistic. Other providers are admitted. The only one so far is Bruno Bucher with MoTV, who had to rework his concept, however, because the communications giant probably finds innovative approaches "made for mobile" rather disruptive.
René Worni, Editor

 
Radio Swiss Radio Pool and Radio DRS can now be booked together via MediaSense For Euro 08, Publisuisse subsidiary MediaSense is launching four offers for the first time that combine sponsorship on Radio DRS and advertising on Swiss Radio Pool (SRP) radios. SRP City and "Wetter am Morgen" on DRS 1 can be booked together on a weekly basis for 50,000 Swiss francs for 42 sponsorship mentions and 24 spot broadcasts. SRP City covers Basel, Berne, Lucerne and Zurich (860,000 listeners). Those who prefer to address a younger audience can also opt for SRP City and the "Wettergespräch" on DRS 3 (CHF 13,500 for 12 mentions and 6 spot broadcasts), while a similar offer is aimed primarily at car drivers, combining all SRP radios in German-speaking Switzerland with traffic information on DRS 1 (CHF 70,000 for 51 mentions and 15 spot broadcasts) or DRS 3 (CHF 60,000 for 54 mentions and 15 spot broadcasts). According to MediaSense, over 3.3 million listeners and a net reach of up to 75 percent can be achieved in one week. Commercials and sponsored programs are broadcast at roughly the same time.
The SRP also includes two radio stations in French-speaking Switzerland, One FM and Lausanne FM. "We are also thinking about similar offers in French-speaking Switzerland, for example with Couleur 3, but we are not quite there yet," says MediaSense Managing Director Bernhard Krättli on request.
MediaSense, which handles the SRP exclusively, also procures radio stations outside the pool. A total of 42 radio stations and 100 offers can be booked via Publiplan, MediaSense's planning tool, including Ringier's Radio Energy Zurich, which must be booked exclusively via Goldbach subsidiary IP Multimedia. "We accept the exclusivity of IP Multimedia there," says Krättli.
 
Markus Knöpfli

 The St. Gallen regional radio station Toxic.fm is temporarily reducing its broadcasting operations. It has submitted a corresponding application to the federal government. After many staff changes, the station wants to prepare itself for a new license. Michael Rohmeder, President of the Board of Trustees, confirmed to SDA a report by the online portal Persoenlich.com that Toxic.fm is negotiating with the Federal Office of Communications (Bakom).  
This involves a temporary reduction in broadcasting operations. The extent and duration of the reduction is currently the subject of negotiations. Bakom press spokeswoman Caroline Sauser told SDA on Wednesday that Toxic.fm would be allowed to cut back for a maximum of 30 days. The station would not be allowed to completely dispense with editorial contributions. At least one hour of information must be broadcast per day.
The youth and educational radio station Toxic.fm has been on air since 2001 and operates as a non-profit organization. It is owned by the Herzschlag Foundation.

 The purchase of an 80 percent stake in Espace Media Groupe was the most important investment for the Tamedia media group last year, said Chairman of the Board of Directors Pietro Supino to the media on Wednesday. The Bern-based media company will soon belong entirely to the Zurich-based company: The purchase of further shares offered by minority shareholders has already increased the stake to 98.56 percent. Tamedia is aiming to hold 100 percent. With the takeover of Espace Media Groupe, Tamedia has become a Swiss media group virtually overnight, said Supino. The Chairman of the Board of Directors was vague about the consequences of the purchase, particularly for the future of Berner Zeitung and Der Bund. He reiterated the statement already made that synergies in the services and publishing areas would be examined first. Martin Kall vigorously rejected the scenario outlined last weekend in the Sonntag newspaper, according to which the Bund and Tages-Anzeiger could soon share the mantle: there is not even a project group on this topic.
The continuation of the "Berner Modell", which refers to the Berner Zeitung and the Bund under the same publishing umbrella, continues to depend on two factors, Supino emphasized. On the one hand, it is crucial whether they can position themselves differently enough editorially, and on the other hand, they must be economically profitable. A fundamental decision would have to be made at the end of the year. Tamedia's management was pleased that the Bund was in the black for the first time in a long time. However, it was clear that the company will hardly be satisfied with this result in the long term.
For the time being, however, it is important to familiarize the different strengths and cultures with each other. Innovations must also be developed through the transfer of know-how and new forms of cooperation in publishing houses, editorial offices and production.
Supino cited the launch of the commuter newspaper News in partnership with the Basler Zeitung and the joint online platform "Newsnetz", which will be launched on August 8, as examples. (SDA/cs)

 
Ruf Lanz has come up with a new prevention campaign for the Lucerne City Run on April 26, 2008. In addition to the elite runners, thousands of amateur runners will once again take part in the race. The campaign, therefore, serves as a clear reminder to warm up properly before the start to prevent injuries. The client is Lucerne-based Suva. Responsible at SuvaLiv:
Susan Huber-Brun (Marketing + Communications). The team at Ruf Lanz includes: Markus Ruf and Danielle Lanz (Creative Directors), Grit Wolany (Art Direction), Torsten Maas (Copy), Oliver Nanzig (Photography), and Patrick Rohner (Image Editing).

 
The tug-of-war over the accreditation regulations for journalists at the 2008 European Football Championships has come to an end around 50 days before the start of the games. Compared to the original draft, publishers were able to negotiate more freedom, for example for the Internet publication of photos. There are now no longer any restrictions on the number of photos that can be published online during the Games. Only slideshows are not yet possible, as images are to be posted at 20-second intervals. Uefa initially wanted to limit the number of photos to 10 per half of the match, and there will also be no restrictions on reporting outside the venues, for example on training grounds or in players' accommodation. This was announced by Swiss Press on Wednesday. The agreement between the European Newspaper Publishers' Association ENPA and Uefa was reached at a meeting between their presidents Valdo Lehari and Michel Platini and representatives of the Swiss and Austrian publishers' associations. Lehari described the provisions as a compromise for the expectations of the newspapers. The meeting took place at Uefa headquarters in Nyon. The talks had dragged on for several months.

 
The insurance company Axa Winterthur is launching the Crash Recorder for young drivers aged between 18 and 25. It is a small box that enables an exact evaluation of the driver's driving behavior in the event of an accident. The Zurich agency KSB/SJ has created a campaign for this. Directed by Christian Aeby, the result is a TV and cinema spot with the slogan "You love it. We insure it". At the same time as the commercial, advertisements appeared in newspapers and magazines. The campaign also includes special sales ads that incorporate the Crash Recorder packaging as a connecting element. This packaging was specially designed for the recorder in the style of Matchbox model car packaging.
As an invitation gadget for the Axa Winterthur press conference on the occasion of the launch of the Crash Recorder, toy cars were prepared as accident cars. In addition, a crash test dummy was placed in the middle of the guests. This was in reference to the live crash that was carried out after the press conference. The resulting dented car is also parked in highly frequented areas. A team of promoters distributes scented guardian angels with the inscription "Prove your innocence".

Responsible at Axa Winterthur:
Markus Keller (Head of Marketing), Mélanie Diserens (Marketing Leader Advertising and Branding), Ray Immoos (Marketing Manager Advertising and Branding), Linda Demuth (Junior Manager Advertising and Branding). Responsible at KSB/SJ: Uwe Schlupp (CD), Robin Strebel, Isabelle Linsi(AD), Adrian Hoenicke, David Hugentobler (copywriting), Marco Serratore, Christoph Bürge (production management), Monika Gut (consulting), Nadia Bachmann (DTP), Michèle Seligmann (agency producing). Production company: Pingpongfilm. Producer: Yves Bollag. Director: Christian Aeby. Camera: Peter Meyer. Editing: Alex Jurkart. Postproduction: Ultra Images AG. Music: Adelphoi Music, Stephen Patman. Photo: Schaub Stierli Photography. Litho: RTK Kloten. Media: Initiative Media Western AG.

 
For the Peugeot 207 SW Outdoor, the Zurich agency Euro RSCG is continuing its collage campaign for new models from the French car manufacturer this spring. An active attitude to life is dramatized, which, according to the press release, is intended to convey not only a lifestyle but also the advantages of the model: For example, the small car's flexible and large cargo space, which means more room on the road and therefore more variety in leisure activities.Responsible at Peugeot:
Aymeric Duval (Marketing Director), Maya Hitz (Advertising and Promotion Manager), Marion Pfäffli (Advertising Manager). Responsible at the agency: Frank Bodin (overall responsibility), Jürg Aemmer (CD), Christian Schirmer (text), Régine Cavicchioli (graphics), Maya Iseli and Caroline Webb (art buying), Niklaus Huwyler and Christine Leitl (consulting) and Edi Burri (production). Photography collage: Nancy Fina. Photography car: Roth and Schmid. Image editing: Colore Due.

 
Perhaps he would have been better off packing up and leaving the 12-month course for copywriters early. Then he would have spared himself a lot of hardship and the rest of the world his lachrymose pamphlet. But he didn't do that, he stayed, apparently suffered a lot - and has now unpacked. We are talking about a student at the Texterschmiede Hamburg who, according to his own statements, has completed his 13th course and is now settling accounts with the teaching establishment on Horizont.net. As we learn there, the visit was not worth it. Marian Prill, as he is known, asks himself: "Was it necessary for me to go to Texterschmiede? No. Was the strenuous year worth it? No. No. No!" Because: "I'm not at my agency because I went to Texterschmiede. I don't earn any more money than other junior copywriters who have done "normal" copywriting internships at advertising agencies." And that for almost 300 euros a month. The speakers were obviously anything but a hit either. However, their description gives the text a lot of credibility: "Of course, there were also managing directors of popular advertising agencies at the front, some of whom gave great to ok presentations. But most of them hammered down their "stuff" - and liked to talk about themselves for a long time." If you would like to hear more about Marian Prill's experiences, you can contact him via Xing.

 Internet television Zattoo has more than two million viewers in Europe for the first time. According to the IPTV start-up, it had 655,000 registered users in Switzerland at the beginning of April. These are spread evenly across the whole of Switzerland, and there is no discernible divide between the languages. At the moment, it is mainly people between the ages of 20 and 29 who watch Zattoo. A third of them use the service regularly, according to the press release. Zattoo offers the advertising industry a combination of web-based advertising methods with active TV consumption: if the TV consumer clicks on the banner of the so-called channel-switch ad when switching between channels, they are immediately redirected to the corresponding website.