The Federal Supreme Court has granted a journalist's appeal suspensive effect. As the news agency SDA reports, he does not have to disclose the sources for his serious accusations against the doctors in the case of the death of heart patient Rosmarie Voser for the time being. The patient had been implanted with a heart that was incompatible with her blood group. The criminal investigation was extended to include intentional homicide on the basis of information from the "NZZ am Sonntag" newspaper and the journalist responsible, Mathias Ninck, was obliged to disclose the sources. Last year, the High Court ruled that the allegations could not be clarified without his testimony and that there was therefore no entitlement to protection of sources. Ninck has now argued before the Federal Supreme Court that the standards for the protection of sources would be obsolete if he were forced to disclose his information before a definitive decision was made. At the request of the Office of the Attorney General, the Federal Supreme Court has held out the prospect of a swift decision.

Guest commentary The regulatory fall from grace lies in the new fee-splitting system, says Peter Studer.
Federal Council is the totally revised Radio and Television Act (RTVA).
under wraps. In the second week of March, the National and
Council of States resolved the final differences. At times, the
Observers at a Persian bazaar. The completely renewed law
should come into force together with a regulation in spring 2007.

However, it is better not to expect calm on the radio and television front.
talk. The law has transferred many powers to the Federal Council, which
the ordinance; and some sweet fruits are likely to be added to the
The tug-of-war is only just beginning: Which commercial organizers
will receive how much money from the SRG fee pot? What is the situation
with advertising regulations and alcohol spots, especially as private local broadcasters for
are allowed to advertise certain alcoholic beverages?

The new law will not be described as contemporary lean
are allowed. While the old RTVA (1991) had 77 articles, the
Parliament passed a lex with 114 articles - i.e. around 50
percent more legal material. Let's hold a voluminous large
Litter in your hand? No. As is so often the case, a friendly
Compromise. Most of those affected - least of all
probably the smirking SRG, which saves most of its skins.
could - eye him with moderate dissatisfaction. 

Initially, regulatory policymakers had opted for a BBC-style system:
all fees to SRG, all advertising to commercial broadcasters.
Or at least: all SRG fees, the majority of the
Advertising the commercials. Due to the small population and the
obligation to provide three full language programs, the BBC-only model for
Switzerland anyway.

The real regulatory fall from grace lies in the new
fee splitting. It means that profit-seeking media groups with
their meager information services in the radio and television sector money
from the fee income of the profitless SRG. The application
organizers, usually publishers, thereby trade themselves the
state-controlled performance mandate and financial control in the
within the framework of a special concession.

After all, some realistic system corrections in the direction of
dual system. In principle, the performance mandate of the
Constitution - Switzerland's basic supply of information, cultural stimulus
and entertainment - will now be limited to SRG; commercial broadcasters will be
from the performance mandate (unless they are just
charge shares). The advertising opportunities for commercial
organizers are increasing significantly - although not to the extent that
private broadcasters will suddenly be in the black. The
Switzerland's rugged economic terrain, which remains
protected strength of the SRG brand and the competitive pressure from foreign
Advertising windows should prevent this.

Peter Studer works as a media lawyer and media ethicist.

The results of the spring monitor of the German Association of Communication Agencies (GWA) paint a positive picture. According to industry service Kress.de, advertisers are expecting sales growth of 3 to 3.5 percent. This shows that market development is still being assessed cautiously, as the average sales growth of GWA agencies in 2005 was 6.55 percent. Despite great satisfaction with the development of turnover, the low returns are still the sticking point. On average, the agencies generate economic returns of less than 2 percent. No change is expected in this respect in 2006.

Print With the
Introducing the new Speedmaster SM 52, which is equipped with the new
Anicolor inking unit technology and thus an ink zone-free
short inking unit, the Heidelberg-based company offers
Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) has developed a new and interesting solution for
the economical production of short runs in offset quality.
Heidelberg has therefore increased production of its direct imaging machines from the
Quickmaster DI 46-4 and the Speedmaster 74 DI series.
Market developments and analyses of customer surveys would have a
clear trend towards modular offline CtP solutions in combination with
offset printing presses, according to the company.

The Zurich-based advertising agency MitLinks has appointed two proven communications professionals as managing directors. Christian Kinner and Romano Strebel are taking over the management of the agency, which was founded in 1999 and now employs 14 people. Romano Strebel has a degree in marketing communications and most recently worked on interdisciplinary mandates at Jung von Matt/Limmat. Christian Klinner is a communications consultant and previously worked at T'nt Events and Matter & Partner, among others. Together with Romano Strebel, he founded the online publishing house Ron Orp's Mail. Klinner is a proven professional in the fields of journalism, publishing marketing and communication. The two previous managing directors Michael and Oliver Baumgartner will remain with the agency. Michael Baumgartner will take on the role of Chairman of the Board of Directors, while Oliver Baumgartner will focus entirely on his role as Creative Director.

Audiobooks The book "Hotline Press" by
Karin Müller (published by Orell Füssli) on the topic
Crisis communication is now also available as an audio CD. The guide now shows
even on long car journeys, such as "No comment!" in times of a
crisis is the worst possible response to questions from curious
journalists is. Karin Müller pleads for the greatest possible openness
towards the media. "Only those who provide information quickly and honestly will
not the plaything of the press."

Press Tamedia is creating a problem for itself with the planned Tagi city split.
further regional editions of the Tages-Anzeiger and a layout change
agreed. From fall 2006, the Tagi will therefore not only be published on
left, but also on the right bank of Lake Zurich, in the Zurich Oberland, in the
Unterland and in the city of Zurich with regional editions - all in the
Newspaper format.

However, the Zurich city split raises questions, as it will become the
Tagblatt der Stadt Zürich into direct competition - especially in the
advertising market. The matter is not without comedy, because the
Free newspaper (circulation: 137,000 copies) is 60 percent owned by Tamedia
and 40 percent of NZZ. In addition, Tagi publishing director Rolf Bollmann
also Chairman of the Board of Directors of Tagblatt der Stadt Zürich AG. Further
the representatives of the City of Zurich have a weighty say in the matter, because
the Tagblatt is the official organ of publication. In addition, the
Tagblatt-Verlag of the city a fixed annual minimum concession
must pay. If the income exceeds a certain amount, the
tax depends on turnover. In this respect, the municipal authorities can
on urban territory.

This is also confirmed by Urs Neuenschwander, media spokesman for the city of Zurich.
But: "The current Tagblatt contract applies to us," he says. This
requires, in addition to the submission, a weekly appearance five times a week, a
Delivery to all households in Zurich as well as editorial
Own services. Neuenschwander also confirms that the contract was concluded as of
The contract could have been terminated at the end of 2005. However, this was not the case.
It is therefore automatically valid for a further ten years.

On the NZZ side, Beat Lauber sits on the Tagblatt Board of Directors as Vice Chairman.
"Depending on the tariff policy, the Tagi split will certainly make the Tagblatt
influence," he says. This is why scenarios are also being discussed in the BoD
has been made. He does not want to say any more about this. "We are only
minority shareholder," says Lauber.

Markus Knöpfli

The great demand for the new category of the Cannes Lions 2006, the Promo Lions, has prompted the organizers to extend the submission deadline. The dealine now ends on April 7, 2006. To be eligible for the Promo Lions, entrants do not have to be sales promotion specialists. Direct marketing activists are also welcome, provided they meet the criteria.

Compared to the previous year, the Goldbach Electronic Media Index (GEMI) for February 2006 performed worse. Following a subdued January, the advertising index for electronic media failed to gain momentum and actually lost one index point compared to January. The GEMI is based on data published by Media Focus regarding advertising investments in Switzerland. As Goldbach Media announced on Wednesday, the index for the overall market has remained at 166 points since November. After reaching an all-time high in December 2005, the electronic media sector has now also fallen back to its November 2005 level, with an index of 318 points. The GEMI in detail: TV managed to maintain its January level at 324 index points. Teletext also remained at the same level at 153 points. Radio lost one index point, dropping from 250 to 249. The Internet lost 4 index points, falling from 177 to 173. Nevertheless, Goldbach Media further reported that the trend in Internet advertising in Switzerland is clearly on the rise.

Sonntagspresse The NZZ am Sonntag has turned four years old and has budgeted in the black for the first time this year. The balance sheet of editorial director Felix E. Müller.WW: The
NZZ am Sonntag turned four years old on March 17 and reportedly writes
into the black. What goes through your mind?
Felix E. Müller: We have already come a long way.

WW: In what way?
Felix E. Müller:
I recently looked at the first numbers. On the one hand
amazing to see how the newspaper has developed journalistically.
further developed and found its line. Secondly, the NZZ
am Sonntag has a firm place in the Swiss press landscape
and thirdly, the newspaper is also commercially pleasing
on the road.

WW: How has the paper developed in terms of publishing?
Felix E. Müller: We
had to learn what it means to be a product of the NZZ nevertheless
to set slightly different accents than the NZZ during the week. On
Sunday requires a slightly different journalistic emphasis.

WW: What kind?
Felix E. Müller: In
the choice of topics and the mix of topics. In addition to serious topics, it also needs something
lighter fabrics than during the week. You have to leave a trace
write in a more audience-friendly way without becoming dubious. These
point, we had to approach it gradually.

WW: On Sunday, you are in direct competition with the Sonntags-Zeitung. Is that stimulating or frustrating?
Felix E. Müller: The
SonntagsZeitung is the immediate and obvious comparison for
us. You can see from week to week who has done what and
where which of the two was better. It is therefore a fruitful
Competition.

WW: How do the papers differ in their journalistic approach?
Felix E. Müller: We
can make fewer mistakes than the SonntagsZeitung because of the NZZ brand.
allow - in fact, no mistakes at all. People expect
reliability from a product from our company in the quality of the
Information. I have the feeling that the SonntagsZeitung is going to be
led on a longer leash.

WW: Where was there resistance during the launch? Is there any today?
Felix E. Müller: Of which
I feel nothing today. The economic development of this newspaper is
too well. In the beginning, there was fundamental resistance to the
Launch of a Sunday title. Whether one should not rely on
which would be detrimental to the NZZ brand.
could develop, were the main reservations.

WW: Within the NZZ, people were very skeptical about the new kid on the block.
Felix E. Müller: To the
Partly skeptical and partly skeptically benevolent. You have to
objectively. From a commercial point of view, the launch of the newspaper was a
certain risk. If that had gone wrong, then the burden for
the house was very large.

WW: Now you are doing very well at the bottom line and are already in the black.
Felix E. Müller: No, not yet. We are still posting a small loss for 2005.

WW: But the budget for 2006 is in the black?
Felix E. Müller: Yes, and I also hope that we can achieve this budget.

WW: It is rather the exception that the quality press reaches break-even so quickly. What does that feel like?
Felix E. Müller: The
gives satisfaction to the whole team. After all, it's an effort
of the whole team. That's really great. I notice that this
newspaper has extremely few staff changes. That is a special case.
The rule is that after three to four years, a pioneering team
has largely been replaced. The NZZ am Sonntag is therefore a
A place where you can do good and interesting journalism in a climate
that journalists are comfortable with. We are pleased that we have succeeded in doing this
me almost more.

WW: Temporarily
the editorial team was working to the limits of its capacity because the
staff resources are scarce. Has this improved?
Felix E. Müller: Not
fundamental. We are the Sunday newspaper with the smallest budget
and with the smallest team. The more challenging it is to always
a good performance. But with growing journalistic
the pressure to assert oneself also decreases somewhat.
must.

WW: In contrast to NZZ am Sonntag, the parent newspaper NZZ is not exactly doing well financially. Is there competition?
Felix E. Müller: No.
I have always said that the two objects must be mutually compatible.
support. The example of NZZ Executive shows this almost in the
Model case where Sunday brings something to the working day and vice versa. In
commercially, one should not speak of competition,
but rather try to improve and expand such cooperation models.
intensify.

WW: But do you rule out exchanges at editorial level, such as the joint launch of topics?
Felix E. Müller: We have the weekly newspaper rhythm and the NZZ has the daily newspaper rhythm. You can't transfer one into the other.

WW: Yours
Title is editorial director. Hugo Bütler as NZZ editor-in-chief carried the
journalistic responsibility. Will this continue under his successor Markus
Change Spillmann?
Felix E. Müller: I don't know, so I can't answer that for you. A lot is still unclear.

WW: Is there a need for clarification?
Felix E. Müller: Mine
Clearly yes, in my opinion. But Markus Spillmann is taking over his mandate
only on April 1, so there will certainly be one or two things to say afterwards.
happen.

WW: Were there ever any corrections to your decisions by Hugo Bütler?
Felix E. Müller: No,
I was more generous and liberal with the long leash. He has
always supported me. I was able to follow the path right from the start,
which I thought the newspaper should follow.

WW: Does the free press play any role for the NZZ am Sonntag?
Felix E. Müller: No,
not noticeable. Maybe in certain categories of ads. But
I think the Sunday market is a relatively separate market and
differs from that of the free newspapers.

WW: It is said that young people are reading again thanks to free newspapers. Was there a need for action for the NZZ am Sonntag?
Felix E. Müller: The
would certainly need to be looked at and discussed in more detail. It is a
phenomenon and would allow conclusions to be drawn about the program of the Sunday press.
to.

WW: What are your plans for the future of NZZ am Sonntag?
Felix E. Müller: I would like to make it the leading Sunday newspaper in this country, if it isn't already.

From a must-read to a must-read newspaper
The relaunch of a third Sunday title was announced four years ago.
critically commented. "Nothing new under the sun", wrote the WOZ
and continues: "The NZZaS wants to keep a sense of proportion, be credible and
be self-critical and show understanding for the other person. Oh well.
Sounds about as tempting as Irish coffee without whiskey. Healthy,
low in calories and moderate instead of whipping up, does not harm the line
nor the brain cells." And the current President of the Press Council Peter
Studer said in Facts: "Too little surprising, solid,
credible, somewhat brittle." The paper must change from a must to a
of a Darf newspaper.

René Worni

Simsa (Swiss Interactive Media and
The Software Association has reached out to WEMF and SRG regarding the
Join the New Internet Research (NIS) initiative. Is the
Is the ICT Association even suited for this? *Die Werbewoche*
asked Simsa President Claudio Dionisio. WW: Why did Simsa come forward as a co-investor in NIS?
Claudio Dionisio: The
The originally planned NIS sponsorship arrangement with WEMF and SRG was strong
Heavily focused on print and TV. As a neutral, credible online representative
Let's fill in the details on both sides.

WW: How was the decision reached internally at Simsa?
Claudio Dionisio: We
We have been conducting research for years and have also
Members who are on top of this issue, such as Martin Radelfinger from the
Online marketing company Adlink, which also includes our working group (WG)
Online advertising leads the way. When it became apparent that the expected
The idea that user-centered Internet research could fail came
This working group suggested that we get more involved. In response, the
Simsa board gives the green light for negotiations. These have not yet
has been finalized, and our final commitment depends on how the
What the ownership structure will look like in the end and how much share capital is needed.

WW: Why didn't Simsa come forward during the first round of financing? Claudio Dionisio:
The plan is to establish a company called Net Metrix—and that's just now in the works.
That's the only thing we'd be willing to agree to. So far, however, it's always been about the
Funding for research activities carried out by website operators and
that must be paid to the advertising industry. We do not participate in that.

WW: It
It's more like Simsa took the initiative: Because
It was only when Wemf and SRG urged the website operators to establish a
Just as they were calling for first aid, Simsa came out of the bushes.
Claudio Dionisio: It
It is quite possible that, from the perspective of the advertising industry,
looks like this. However, Simsa has already conducted studies on
Conducted or co-funded Internet use, but not only that
not only from the perspective of the advertising industry, but also forward-looking ones, such as
on the use of mobile browsers. But our commitment to NIS shows that
we also advocate for professional research in the advertising sector.

WW: But let's be honest: Another association—or even a split—would be detrimental to Simsa. You wanted to prevent that from happening.
Claudio Dionisio: In the
There are about 30 associations in the ICT sector. That makes up the scene
confusing. Further fragmentation would indeed not be
makes sense. Furthermore, I don't believe that within a reasonable time frame a
a new, functioning association could be established.
So before our Online Advertising Working Group evolves into a new association,
We'd rather support them and their causes.

WW: Are
You can also be sure that the NIS initiative is supported by the majority of the
Will it be funded by Simsa members? Website operators are in the
A minority; most members are solution providers or come from
the hardware industry. Why should they be interested in Internet usage research?
Do you want to help pay for it?
Claudio Dionisio: The
is indeed a critical issue that we need to prepare for thoroughly.
But the arguments are obvious: The manufacturing
The Internet industry is also interested in category marketing, as well as
in the areas of marketing and communications. Second, we pay
our share of the stock capital not from the current budget, but
from the association's assets and from earmarked reserves set aside for
are intended to advance research. However, so far there have been
no suitable initiatives. If we use these funds for value preservation
invest – subscribing to NIS common stock preserves value –,
That would be in accordance with the bylaws. However, our
General Meeting.

WW: In the
On the second try, however, NIS is now being set up in such a way that, of all things, your
«pet project,» forward-looking research, is being downgraded.
Not a problem for your members?
Claudio Dionisio: I
I don't think so. Because most companies can do what's on their own
It's possible to detect this on websites today thanks to various tools. However, in most cases, they
only quantitative data; sociodemographic data, however, is missing everywhere
Consumer data that can be combined with your own data. This
Linking the data would allow for a comparison of intermediaries—which would enable us to
which, in turn, could advance category marketing.

WW: A
Another problem: Wemf, SRG, PubliGroupe, and Adlink are
Simsa members. They are already in demand as NIS donors and would
So we had to pay again via Simsa.
Claudio Dionisio: (laughs)
That's a huge stretch. Our membership dues—incidentally
with a built-in Netzwoche subscription—are reasonably priced, and Simsa also offers
A lot: We organize the Best of Swiss Web event, and we offer
We offer seminars, training, and continuing education, and we provide input on
Consultations. That is why I believe we are the right choice for NIS
are ICT partners.

WW: Requires
NIS is an association that represents the Internet community
represents. Major content providers such as Search.ch, SBB, Swiss Post,
However, publishing companies, banks, and insurance companies are hardly represented at Simsa
represent.
Claudio Dionisio: Search.ch
is in the process of doing so, as are Bluewin and MSN. But it's true: Some companies,
Many of them—including numerous publishers—are not institutional, but rather
at most through interested individual members. One reason is,
that corporate membership is based on revenue, but these companies
do not generate the majority of their revenue online.

WW: Is the NIS initiative nevertheless intended to help you attract new institutional members?
Claudio Dionisio: Of course, we hope this will make us more attractive to new members. That is certainly a secondary expectation.

The test is yet to come. The fact that Simsa is a potential shareholder in Net Metrix, the
The organization responsible for NIS reports—and is surprised. As recently as January, they estimated that
even some of the 182 members described it as «too heterogeneous and with a strong
»Technology Bias.".

WEMF Director René Schmutz welcomes SIMSA’s initiative, although the
which is also part of WEMF. But he also points to a decision by the
According to the WEMF Board of Directors, the future Net-Metrix partner from the
The ICT industry must «represent the entire Internet community.».

In particular, the user and marketing aspects should also be considered
be represented. «At the moment, there probably isn’t one yet.”
»Association," Schmutz states matter-of-factly. This makes it clear: Whether Simsa is
Whether she qualifies as a Net-Metrix partner depends, not least, on whether she
is seeing a strong influx of website providers.

Markus Knöpfli

After a disappointing start in January, with a 1.9 percent decline, gross advertising investments in February totaled 236.983 million Swiss francs, marking a 0.7 percent increase and a slight improvement over the previous year. As Media Focus reported on Wednesday evening, the following key markets also increased their investments compared to the previous year: energy (+51 percent), tobacco products (+37 percent), transportation (+37 percent), household goods and appliances (+33 percent), watches and jewelry (+22 percent), and vehicles (+21 percent). Spending fell significantly in the cosmetics/personal care sector (-32 percent) and the tourism sector (-26 percent). The sectors that spent the most on advertising in February were automotive, finance, food, telecommunications, and tourism. Switzerland’s largest advertisers in February were once again Coop, followed by Migros, Swisscom, and Nestlé. Due to the sharp increase in spending in the automotive sector, eight car companies and brands made it into the top 30. The top 30 largest advertisers account for 37.2 percent of the total market.
Media Focus is a joint venture between the two market research firms IHA-Gfk and AC Nielsen. Since 1990, Media Focus has been tracking gross advertising spending in Switzerland across the media channels of newspapers, magazines, television, radio, billboards, movie theaters, teletext, and the Internet.