From June 1, 2006, the Swiss tabloid newspaper from Ringier will have a reader platform where readers can become informants. Information can be sent to the editorial team by SMS, MMS, e-mail and telephone via a single number. Blick-Online and SonntagsBlick are also connected to the system, according to a press release.
The information received can be accessed by the editorial offices on a centralized portal. The information is then researched and processed by journalists. Information that leads to a publication will be compensated with at least 100 francs. The rights to the image and text then belong to Blick. Is Blick simply giving the old practice of paying 100 francs for readers' reports a new look? The new platform is advertised in a big way in today's issue of Blick - on the front page. A double-page spread (pages 8 and 9) explains exactly how it works in text and pictures and also presents sample stories. Markus Rohr, member of the Blick editorial team, writes in his commentary that Blick is breaking new ground in information procurement, "as always one step ahead". The readers' knowledge should be better utilized. They are not afraid of citizen journalism. In the adjacent article, Blick boasts that it is the first Swiss daily newspaper to have a reader platform. The software for this comes from the Norwegian newspaper "Verdens Gang". Blick also states that this type of citizen journalism has already been imitated in Sweden, Belgium and Germany, although citizen journalism is already a global phenomenon. The best example is "Ohmy-News" in South Korea, which is so successful with reports from citizens that it already has a print edition. Now the traditional media seem to be getting nervous and want to jump on the new bandwagon. The German Netzeitung recently sought 20 million editors for its "Reader's Edition" project (Werbewoche reported). And the International Herald Tribune has also copied "Ohmy" without further ado in order to obtain authentic reports from the street in addition to articles by its journalists.Kathrin Fischer

Blic Europa, the Serbian daily newspaper for Serbs living abroad, is being discontinued with immediate effect. The last issue was published on Wednesday, May 31. The reasons for discontinuing the newspaper are the lack of an advertising market and the failure to achieve the expected circulation. The newspaper was distributed in major cities in Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands and Switzerland. Ringier entered the Serbian market at the beginning of 2004. The daily newspaper Blic is now the market leader among daily newspapers.

The former Product Manager of Teletext Deutschschweiz, Jacqueline Blumer, is taking over as Head of Sales at Swiss TXT. She took up the newly created position on June 1. Before joining Swiss TXT, Blumer worked for Ringier in the print sector for seven years. There she was responsible for coordinating sponsorship specials for Blick Verlag.

Druck MAN Roland started the 2006 business year with a pleasing first quarter and sees itself in an advantageous position in the industry environment. According to a company statement, the operating result for the first quarter improved by 30 million compared to the previous year. Increased sales, lower costs and significantly higher productivity also led to an improved result for sheetfed presses. As a result, the Sheetfed Division already reached break-even in the first quarter of 2006. All in all, MAN Roland expects volumes and earnings to continue to develop favorably in the coming months.

Paper trading Following the takeover of Schneidersöhne (and thus also of Sihl + Eika) by Papyrus, there are now two winners. "The façade is still the same - but since the takeover by Papyrus, we have gained further muscle and have been able to significantly strengthen our strategic and operational foundations," commented Daniel Meier, Delegate of the Board of Directors of Sihl + Eika Papier AG (Sihl + Eika) at a recent press conference on the advantages of the integration into the Swedish-Finnish paper trading company, which was completed last August. And this progress is backed up by figures: While paper consumption in Switzerland recorded only a slight increase of 0.4 percent last year, the paper trading group based in Thalwil (headquarters), Bern, St. Gallen, Lausanne and Dintikon (main warehouse) achieved a 6 percent increase in sales. "As a result," says Meier, "we have been able to expand our market share from 28% to over 30% and consolidate our position as number 2 in Switzerland."
Rainer Köster, previously a board member of the German paper trading group Schneidersöhne (which has owned 80 percent of Sihl + Eika since 1998) and a member of its management team since the merger of this family business with Papyrus, explained why Sihl + Eika's parent company joined Papyrus: "The concentration of dealers and manufacturers in Europe is continuing. In 1990, the five largest paper merchants in Europe distributed around 30 percent of paper; today this share is already 66 percent, so we had to decide whether to remain a smaller merchant overall or become part of a global player." Köster also believes that eBusiness will continue to change the market. He estimates that the proportion of paper ordered online will soon be between 10 and 20 percent across Europe. Such challenges would have been difficult for a private group like the Schneidersöhne to tackle alone. 
Other advantages of being part of huge entities such as Papyrus are obvious: the larger the company, the better the conditions for paper producers, which leads to more favorable purchase prices for retailers and ensures their profitability. At present, however, these improvements only compensate for increased energy costs.
Export hit PaperManagementIn addition to the almost 100,000 tons per year, a relatively modest quantity in the Papyrus network, Papyrus is interested in the services developed by Sihl + Eika in the past. The local company is therefore regarded within the group as a pioneer of comprehensive paper delivery services. Summarized under the terms PaperManagement Print and PaperManagement Office - two, it is emphasized, proprietary terms of Sihl + Eika - the company has developed and introduced logistics concepts upstream and downstream of pure paper delivery.
This makes the takeover a win-win situation for both sides: while Sihl + Eika benefits from better integration into Papyrus in the area of logistics and better purchasing conditions, the Group is very interested in the services developed by its latest subsidiary. PaperManagement from Sihl + Eika could therefore develop into an export hit.    
PapyrusWith a turnover of 2 billion euros, Papyrus is the second largest paper trading group in Europe following the takeover by Schneidersöhne. With 3300 employees, the group sells 1.9 million tons of paper annually. Despite the takeovers, the trading group, which operates in 20 countries, continues to operate in various countries under its existing brand names (e.g. Schneidersöhne, Papeteries de France, Sihl + Eika). Papyrus, which is headquartered in Gothenburg (Sweden), is a wholly owned subsidiary of Stora Enso, the world's largest paper producer.
Jürgen Franck

Paper "Ziegler's best art & print work", an international award for printing and design professionals, is taking place for the third time. Ziegler Papier AG, a Swiss paper manufacturer, is therefore once again looking for printing and design professionals in Switzerland and abroad. Entries can be submitted for print objects that project partners have realized in whole or in part on their creative papers between July 1, 2005 and July 31, 2006. Samples for the application must be submitted by July 31, 2006. A knowledgeable, independent jury of international experts from the advertising, printing, media and paper industries will carry out the judging. The winners will be invited to the exclusive award event in Basel in November 2006. More information on the award and the application form (for downloading) are published at www.zieglerpapier.com.

Further details about the new Swiss private channel were revealed at Wednesday's media conference. Its name: "3+", pronounced "drei plus", replaces the previous working title "Elevator TV". As initiator Dominik Kaiser explained, the addition "plus" is to be understood as a program: The program strategy is namely to offer an alternative to the existing programs in the evenings between 6 and 11 o'clock. "For example, if no other channel is showing a crime thriller, "3+" shows a crime thriller; if all other channels are showing series, we show feature films," says Kaiser. The company constantly reacts to the programs of its competitors and adapts its own program accordingly. In addition, media research tools are used to react to audience preferences.

The aim is to achieve an average market share of 1.4 percent, 3.5 percent for feature films and 11 percent for in-house productions. From 2007, two further digital TV channels are also to be launched - an additional channel and possible niche programs. The programs of these will be determined according to the development of the channel and experience. In all likelihood, the digital channels will be free of charge. According to Kaiser, American studies have shown that viewers prefer a free offer with advertising to a paid, ad-free offer. There are also plans to expand the range of in-house productions on additional platforms, whether as pay per view, video on demand, via the Internet or mobile has not yet been definitively decided. However, the channel is already based entirely on digital technology and is also already able to broadcast in high definition (HD ready).program at the start of transmission "3+" will go on air in the first half of September. At the start of the broadcast, "3+" will feature two major in-house productions: "Superstar" and "Switzerland's next Supermodel". Dominik Kaiser is confident that the success of the two formats will not fail to materialize. It has been shown that pop soaps and model castings are very popular with Swiss viewers. "3+" will start casting for the presenter search in July. The castings for the participants will start in August.

In addition, "3+" will feature blockbuster premieres in the Swiss market and also broadcast feature films that are always popular. "Basically, we want our program to entertain and inform," explains Kaiser. As already announced, a Swiss version of "Super Nanny", a cooking show, Swiss comedy and a Swiss knowledge magazine in the style of "Welt der Wunder" are also being planned. The focus is clearly on viewers aged 15 to 49, and the channel's positioning is comparable to that of "Pro Sieben". Also planned are documentary soaps, action shows, health shows, dating shows and poker. There will also be a children's program in the morning.
Interactive program elements will be used to integrate viewers, and competitions and voting have already been planned to accompany the program. Dominik Kaiser announces that the prizes will be very attractive. "We also want to raffle off a house, as RTL has successfully done in Germany," he cites as an example. In terms of interactivity, the company is cooperating with Twister Switzerland and the Digame Group.
News in 90 seconds - also on cell phones "You lose money with news," said Kaiser when asked about the business model behind "3+". Broadcasters such as TV3 had made the mistake of not adapting the budget to the size of the market. On the one hand, "3+" pays considerably less than its predecessors for series and films and works with partners for broadcasting times beyond prime time so as not to bear the risk alone. For example, part of the afternoon program has already been sold to Homeshopping, which also generates funds for in-house productions. Kaiser also cited the lack of competition on the Swiss market in terms of purchasing and the fact that there is no Swiss-German entertainment as success factors. Break-even is planned for the third year of operation.

The news blocks on "3+" will be around 90 seconds long and include the headlines of the day and current weather information. The news will also be available via the Internet and cell phones.
Strong partners with Cinecom and Cablecom "3+" has not failed to bring strong partners on board from the outset. Cablecom will distribute the channel in analog and digital form. "3+" will be receivable in the current ORF 2 slot, giving the channel a good starting position. From the start, the channel will have a technical reachability of 75 percent and thus reach 1.5 million households in German-speaking Switzerland.
Cinecom, which won the pitch three weeks ago (Werbewoche reported), will become active as marketer with immediate effect. Cinecom is already responsible for the sale of advertising space for Sat.1 Schweiz and the advertising window for "kabel eins". The sales crew is currently being set up. Detailed agency information will follow in the coming weeks, as well as offers for customer integration and the production of sponsorship packages. The official opening of bookings will take place on July 19, 2006. As Cinceom Managing Director Matthias Luchsinger explained, advertising clients will be able to take advantage of target group-specific spot placements with a performance guarantee, customized sponsorship opportunities and brand placements in broadcasts. The station will be recorded and evaluated using Telecontrol so that the usual market performance data and planning tools are available from the outset. The station is also integrated into the Media Optimizer planning tool. Cinecom is aiming for an average thousand-contact price (CPM) of CHF 65 and is therefore comparable with "Kabel eins" and considerably cheaper than Swiss television SF with a CPM of CHF 90 to 100. Luchsinger expects an average market share of 1.4 percent and average block ratings of 12,000 viewers. Feature films are forecast to have a market share of 3.5 percent and in-house productions a market share of 11 percent. "As a marketer, however, our figures are rather conservative in order to create a good basis," explained Luchsinger.
The station will be based at Wagistrasse in Schlieren near Zurich and will initially employ around 20 people. Organizationally, "3+" is divided into the areas of programming with audience research, licensed programming and in-house productions, marketing with special forms of advertising and coordination of Cinecom, communication with PR, on-air promo, Internet and classic advertising, technology and IT, broadcasting technology and finance with program controlling. "We will have an experienced television manager in every department," explained Kaiser. The strategy and creative implementation of communication are currently being drawn up, communication will start before the summer break, Ruf Lanz has been awarded the contract for advertising, as the broadcaster also wants to "stand out positively" in terms of communication. The logo was designed by the agency DejaVu, the on-air design was provided by the band Opium from Munich.

In addition to Martin Spieler (Editor-in-Chief of Handelszeitung), whose mandate has already been communicated, the Board of Directors also includes Torsten Prenter (Program Director and Deputy Managing Director of "3+", previously Program Director of RTL2) and Walter Häusermann (formerly Swatch Group, CFO of Expo.02). The channel's shareholders have not yet been announced, but will be communicated before the start of broadcasting. Dominik Kaiser only said that no major media company is among them.
Kathrin Fischer

Digital TV Mobile TV, TV on demand and
Cinema standard at home - that's what Swiss Television (SF) wants to offer the
TV consumers thanks to digital technology. But what
what do publishers say? Norbert Neininger from the Swiss Press Association
differentiates. "If the SRG wants to put what it already has in its program on
new channels such as cable, satellite or mobile TV, it is to be
do this within the scope of the concession," he says. But they are resisting,
if SRG were to move into new business areas and offer private
prevent initiatives. "As a fee-financed company, it is
more and more strongly." That is why the publishers would have used SRG news platforms
complained about on the Internet.
It is also tricky when SRG opens its archives and offers TV on demand.
offers. "If it does so exclusively, this would be additional business and not
okay," says Neininger, because their archives are built up with fees
have been. The publishers want access to the SF fund. (mk)

Robert Tuchman, President of the marketing company TSE Sports & Entertainment, New York, on the fading bad boy image in the NBA league.WW: How do you rate the NBA's marketing strategy in recent years?Robert Tuchman: The NBA knows how to market successfully. Last year it was a little easier because none of the other major leagues had games during the NBA season. In addition, the NBA is facing more and more competition in the entertainment sector. People would rather go to a concert if they have a date or take the whole family to the movies, it's cheaper. WW: What can the NBA do to market itself even better? Tuchman: It needs to work more with the teams at a local level, not just nationally, and work with the local communities. The time of the big players is over. There is no Magic Johnson or Michael Jordan anymore. Teams need to be more aware of themselves as a team and their individual players and work more with local sponsors.WW: What kind of audience can you appeal to? Tuchman: You have to appeal to the whole family with the promotions and be more responsive to the fans at the games. The players have to become more approachable. They've had this bad-boy image for a long time and nobody could get to them. In the long run, this is demotivating for the fans and they turn to other sports.WW: What role does merchandising play?Tuchman: It is very important for the teams to generate revenue. But they also have to keep an eye on new technologies. Something like video games and cell phone promotions. More and more high-tech companies are becoming sponsors, the field is gradually changing.
Interview: Gerti Schön

Software Boot Camp makes it possible for the first time to boot Apple computers under Windows and is the selection button with which you can choose whether to boot an Apple computer equipped with an Intel processor with Windows XP or Mac OS X. The prerequisite is the prior installation of the Boot Camp software and the Windows XP operating system. In contrast to other solutions - such as Virtual PC (Microsoft) or Parallels Desktop for Mac (Parallels) - only the Apple solution Boot Camp currently allows this dual boot function. Win on MacThe prerequisite for Boot Camp is a new Apple computer equipped with Intel processors. If you also have a current Mac OS (plus firmware update), around 10 GB of storage space, a corresponding Windows XP license (Service Pack 2) and an empty CD-ROM (for transferring the printer drivers used under Mac OS X), you can install the necessary software at www.apple.com/chde/macosx/bootcamp. Further important information on installation can also be found there.
While Boot Camp was implanted with an expiration date, Apple's next operating system release, Mac OS X 10.5, also known under the code name Leopard, goes even further. The dual boot function, i.e. booting two or more systems, will then be integrated directly into Leopard.
Jürgen Franck

After 15 years, the business press Finanz und Wirtschaft is allowing itself a little layout refresh: improved reader guidance and a little more color, as well as more editorial coverage of structured investment products: These are the main changes that Tamedia's financial journal Finanz und Wirtschaft (FuW) will feature from June 3. Surveys of the readership have shown that they are extremely satisfied with the content, but criticize the reader guidance. The term "lead desert" was used from time to time. "We are taking this into account with a small redesign," says publishing director Martin Coninx. This is the first change since November 1991 for the magazine, whose readership is mainly made up of private investors and professional financial experts. There have been almost no changes since then.
Now, the gently renewed design features color in the previously black-and-white editorial section and is intended to make graphics, price charts and price tables easier to understand. The color is derived from the FuW blue used for the title font. Clear navigation aids on the front page and in the table of contents should make it easier for readers to find their way around. A calmer and easier-to-read font should make FuW more visually pleasing. Essentially, the redesign is intended to enhance the appeal of the magazine while retaining the restrained appearance in terms of both appearance and content, which stands for the seriousness and quality of the title.
Growing readership "We want to move with the times," says Martin Coninx about the layout changes. The long-established quality title, which is already in its 78th year, is thus focusing on a growing readership. This readership is reaching an age at which it increasingly owns its own money and therefore has an affinity for investment topics. In this sense, the paper is a first-class niche product and can make a fuss about a young urban audience.
The redesign of the title, which has a circulation of 3,5203 copies (136,000 readers) according to the last Wemf certification, is also unrelated to the realignment of the Handelszeitung. "The changes had been planned for some time. We also appeal to a different readership than the Handelszeitung," emphasizes Coninx.    
René Worni

Cablecom's two television licenses may be taken over by their new owner, the US group Liberty Global. On Wednesday, the Federal Council approved a decision by the Federal Office of Communications. Last September, the Swiss cable network operator Cablecom was acquired by Liberty. As a result, the licensing authority had to approve the transfer of the two licenses to Liberty.
Cablecom holds one license each for the pay channel Cablecom Digital Cinema and the service channel Cablecom Infokanal. The Federal Council has extended the scope of the Cablecom Infokanal to include French-speaking Switzerland, as reported by SDA. Until now, this license was only valid for German- and Italian-speaking Switzerland.