Local TV NW1 founder Beat Alder, who was sent into the desert in 2004, wants to save the struggling station.
the filthy rich Christian Heeb, co-founder of Radio Basilisk, as
Chairman of the Board of Directors of Baselbieter Regional-TV NW1. Now he has
the struggling broadcaster, which is losing CHF 100,000 a month,
and sold all its shares to its co-shareholder Elektra Birseck
Münchenstein (EBM). This company now holds 90 percent and grants the
staff and any potential buyers until June.
Then the station will be shut down. One thing is certain: Neither the foundation
cable network, the carrier of TeleBasel, nor the Basler Zeitung Medien
are evident in any kind of takeover of NW1
interested.

But one person is interested: Beat Alder, currently publisher of the Basler
free newspaper Stadt-Zytig, wants to continue with NW1. "With my lawyer
I am preparing an offer for NW1, which we will submit to EBM by the end of the week.
submit," he says. Thanks to investors, two to three million
francs. The offer: "EBM must give me the shares for free.
then I take over the staff, equipment and offices. Not
But she has to pay the debts herself." Within three months
the station should cover its costs.

Alder's demanding attitude is well-founded: In 2002, he transferred the local
Municipal broadcaster NW5 to NW1 and, against the wishes of TeleBasel, received
a concession for the whole of north-western Switzerland (including Basel). In 2004
he was shown the door by the co-shareholder EBM after the latter
Christian Heeb on board. Heeb and EBM would have
station has been run down since then, says Alder. The fact that it is now between
He himself does not believe that he and EBM will shake hands again.
But Alder doesn't care. Then he simply approaches the NW1 staff and
will take over the broadcasting facilities after the definitive end, he says. NW1 wants
he will definitely be resurrected.

It remains to be seen how serious he is about this. Alder has already
media projects. Some were discontinued, but some - without
him - even today. Quarrels are the rule, the last
crash less than a month ago (WW 17/06). But NW1 is alders. That is not to
underestimate.
   

Markus Knöpfli

Wine trade Those who value quality, but
not at every price, is offered at the recently opened Airport Outlet in the
Zurich Airport. At least that's what the poster campaign by Ruf
Lanz close. From top wines and designer fashion to travel accessories
everything is much cheaper there than elsewhere. First of all, the
agency, the wine range is on everyone's lips. You can see an expensive wine,
as you have never seen it before: with a multitude of tubes inside,
just like you drink beer kegs empty at the Ballermann. For the eye-catcher
Stefan Minder pressed the shutter release.

On May 31, 2006, the head of the new Swiss-wide private television station, Dominik Kaiser, plans to announce further details about the station and the launch program, as well as the name of the station. As the TV magazine "TV-Star" has found out, the channel will adapt Heidi Klum's casting show "Germany's Next Topmodel" for Switzerland when it starts broadcasting in September. Preparations are already in full swing, according to a statement from "TV-Star". According to research by the TV magazine, the German production company Tresor is to produce the show. Tresor already produced the original. The show is also to be hosted by a woman, but a candidate has not yet been chosen.

There is one answer to the question of what the future of television will look like: digital. At a media conference in Zurich on Wednesday, Ingrid Deltenre outlined the next steps for Swiss Television (SF), citing changing user behavior as the reason. A "second digital revolution" is on the horizon, and SF does not want to miss this train in the change in media usage behavior. That is why they are jumping on three trains that they have identified as trends.
Firstly, it is about the developments towards "digital home cinema", about the spectacle in the living room. Then there is the question of whether viewers watch TV at home or on the move, i.e. mobile TV. And as a third trend, SF describes the individualization of the offer and the provision of content on demand with the magic word "on demand".
As Werbewoche has already reported, SF is switching from analog to digital broadcasting (technology: DVB-T) and will be switching off analog channels by 2009. For households that do not receive their programs via satellite or cable - i.e. terrestrial - this means that from autumn 2007 they will have to buy a set-top box if they want to receive the program at all. The receiver costs between 100 and 150 francs and currently affects around 150,000 households. Several stations have already started DVB-T operation, including Üetliberg and Säntis. The new technology has the advantage of better reception quality, reception on mobile devices and a reduction in electrosmog. In addition, SF zwei has been broadcasting in DVD quality via satellite since May 22, followed by SF 1 from 2007. Over the next few years, digital three-dimensional Dolby Digital Sound 5.1 will also be gradually introduced. In this way, nothing should stand in the way of a real cinema experience at home. In addition, the format will be converted to the 16:9 widescreen format, which will be completed in 2008. Despite the fact that only just over 40 percent of German-speaking Swiss households have such devices in their homes, SF is relying on 16:9 as one of the key prerequisites for the "quality revolution" of HDTV. The first test broadcasts in HDTV are planned for 2008, with the first programs going into regular operation in 2010. HDTV provides a sharper picture, more brilliant colors, a wealth of detail and more plasticity. SF openly admits that viewers will also have to make new purchases in order to receive the better picture and sound quality.
For viewers who want to receive content on the move, SF is planning a pilot project for a mobile-capable "Tagesschau" for UMTS-enabled cell phones. According to the communiqué, the audience increasingly wants mobile content. The average daily usage time for mobile TV is between 10 and 20 minutes; in tests, SF has also found that news content is particularly interesting. According to Deltenre, Swiss Television is well prepared for the future of mobile TV.
Although only a minority of viewers already want to watch the programs "on demand", SF sees the third trend here, that of using content independent of time and place. For this reason, the Internet offering is being systematically expanded and a consistent "added value" strategy is being pursued. From 2006, SF will be launching further additional services in the form of the Multimedia Home Platform (MHP) and a newly designed teletext. With additional background information on the program, an electronic program guide and the possibility of interactive program use, they too are clearly pursuing the added value strategy. And - last but not least - despite criticism from publishers, the Internet offering is also to be expanded. Programs that are not legally critical are to be made available for viewing as soon as possible after their first broadcast in broadcast quality suitable for the audience.
Against the backdrop of the "second digital revolution", SF's social mission must also be reinterpreted. By the fall, a new manifesto and corporate mission statement is to be developed and published in a discussion with 40 opinion leaders from different areas.Kathrin Fischer

The Zurich-based communications agency Viva has three new employees on board. Fabia Kaufmann has held the position of management assistant since March, replacing Yasmina Claessen, who is taking a language course. Stefan Ryser joined the agency as a consultant in May, replacing Gide Kuhn. Ryser worked as a consultant for renowned Zurich advertising agencies for over five years. Also new is David Spielmann, who will support the consultancy as a junior assistant and will begin his specialist training in the fall. The previous consulting assistant Patrick Seiler has successfully completed his training as a marketing communications planner and will be leaving Viva at the end of June to work abroad.

The MMS newspaper and "der Tag" services launched on May 15, 2006 - the start date of Ringier's "heute" - are a complete success, according to "20 Minuten". The news of the day, which is delivered free of charge to cell phones from 4 p.m. in MMS news format with pictures and text, has already attracted over 10,000 subscribers. The "der Tag" dossier, which appears on the "20 Minuten" website from 3 p.m., also guarantees topicality, writes "20 Minuten" in a press release. The dossier is published seven days a week with the most important top stories of the day.

The latest version of PerfectProof's award-winning ProofMaster software package offers a comprehensive solution for proofing, printing and cutting functions. On one easy-to-use platform, ProofMaster v3 supports all common printing applications - proofing, photo, fine art and large format printing - in a simple and accurate way. A range of expert features give users more professional features and more flexibility. This makes ProofMaster v3 the first complete solution in the printing sector.more than just an update "When it comes to internal, certifiable proofs, ProofMaster is already the most comprehensive software package available," explains Mark Verbist, General Manager, PerfectProof Europe NV. "Its flexibility, Fogra-certified accuracy and support for multiple formats, platforms and printers make it the most user-friendly software package in the industry. Proof of this are over 4500 installations of this solution worldwide. With additional innovative functionality, users can centrally control more application options on a single platform. As a result, ProofMaster simplifies the entire proofing and production workflow. In reality, it is much more than just a proofing solution. ProofMaster v3 not only saves time and money, but also gives users the unprecedented freedom to target a wider clientele.
Exceptional flexibility independent of the userProofMaster v3 also works perfectly well for all special application areas. Different types of users can easily purchase a range of additional options for special requirements. ProofMaster users can now use state-of-the-art tools. For example, for high quality color proofing, photo or fine art printing, large format printing and cutting, silk screen film production and proofing or textile printing. For experts worldwide, it has never been easier to diversify while keeping everything in-house.
Less complexity, more business, higher turnover "The benefits of this fully integrated solution are obvious to all users: less complexity, lower costs, more market opportunities. ProofMaster v3 uses a single technology to manage all application areas and steps of the workflow. This significantly reduces the time spent on training, installation and technical support, which in turn means cost savings," explains Mark Verbist. "A range of different tasks can be completed with a single software package. Users can therefore capture more markets, offer a higher quality product for less money and expand a previously narrow customer base".
ProofMaster v3 will be available worldwide in the second half of the second quarter of 2006.
 
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The German advertising industry is expecting a significant upturn in 2006. The Central Association of the German Advertising Industry (ZAW) forecasts that advertising investments will increase by two percent to more than EUR 30 billion compared to the previous year. However, due to the difficult economic environment, the growth rate in the advertising business in 2007 will be between zero and one percent, somewhere between stagnation and a sluggish economy, explained association president Hans-Henning Wiegmann to "Werben&Verkaufen". Wiegmann called on the economy to invest more in advertising. At 1.32 percent, the share of advertising expenditure in gross domestic product is as low as it was in 1959. The economic framework conditions for commercial communication did not improve in 2005 either. In particular, the ZAW criticizes the excessively high non-wage labor costs and excessive tax levies as well as the lack of flexibility on the labor market.193 million (+1%) to 19.78 billion euros in 2005, based on the business surveys of the ZAW member associations. In 2005, daily newspapers were able to maintain their leading position as an advertising medium, although net revenues shrank by 1.9 percent to EUR 4.42 billion. Television stations recorded an increase of 1.8 percent to EUR 3.93 billion and advertising papers increased their income by 3.4 percent to EUR 1.84 billion. The strongest increase in revenue was seen in online advertising, which rose by 22.5 percent to 332 million euros.

To mark the 13-day preparation of the Brazilian football team in Weggis, Central Switzerland's Radio Sunshine has created a samba boat, the "Brasil Liner", which travels between Lucerne and Weggis every evening. In addition to Brazilian music, Radio Sunshine also offers bar service on the ship. Although it will not be broadcast live, the atmosphere on the samba boat will be incorporated into Sunshine's program in the pre-World Cup period from 23 May to 3 June. The station will also be giving away tickets for the "Brasil Liner" on a regular basis.

According to the new Radio and Television Act (RTVA), quantitative media research is to be conducted independently of SRG SSR within the framework of a foundation in future. As SRG SSR announced on Tuesday, it intends to implement this decision in two stages. Firstly, the current "Media Service Center Forschungsdienst" (MSC FD) will be outsourced to the newly founded subsidiary "Mediapulse AG". Secondly, once the new RTVA comes into force, SRG SSR will set up a foundation and transfer all the assets of Mediapulse AG to this foundation. This outsourcing will put an end to SRG SSR's previous dual role as producer and recipient of data. In line with the principles of corporate governance, SRG SSR will in future be able to act as a "simple customer". The SRG SSR management proposes to the SRG SSR Board of Directors that the subsidiary "Mediapulse AG" be founded with retroactive effect from January 1, 2006.
The outsourcing of the research service means a loss of research and analysis expertise for SRG SSR idée suisse. However, retaining this expertise is of great importance. SRG SSR's future research policy is based on three pillars: Firstly, on the definition of principles on the lines and strategies of research; secondly, on the creation of the position of a "Media Department GD" to advise and support the Directorate General and the Executive Board in matters of media and audience research. And thirdly, a "SRG SSR Audience Research" network will be set up, consisting of the GD Media Unit, the media officers of the business units and the Publisuisse research managers.

Nello Castelli is the new Delegate for Pubic Affairs at the Santésuisse health association. On July 1, Castelli succeeds Yves Seydoux, who moved to health insurer Groupe Mutuel in January.

Arp Datacon, the Swiss mail order company for IT hardware and software, is now relying on the advertising agency Bossard Kommunikation. The Lucerne-based agency won a two-stage agency pitch and will now serve Arp Datacon as lead agency. The PR and media areas will continue to be handled by Stockerdirect. Initial print work has already been developed and produced.