The plan is to implement the merger by the middle of the year. Swisscom will hold 69 percent and Tamedia 31 percent of the joint company. The two companies will continue to develop their offering into a strong Swiss alternative to global providers of search engines and social networks, as detailed in a press release. Swisscom and Tamedia welcome the Competition Commission's decision and plan to complete the merger by mid-2015. The online platforms local.ch and search.ch will continue to operate as independent offerings.

Swiss alternative to global providers

The merger of Local.ch and Search.ch is intended to create a comprehensive Swiss directory and information platform for private individuals, companies and the public sector and an important advertising partner for Swiss SMEs. Together, the two providers, which compete with international providers such as Google in particular, reach around 3.6 million Internet users in Switzerland every month.

Urs Schaeppi, CEO of Swisscom, is delighted with the positive decision: "The decision takes appropriate account of the international market environment and future developments. Thanks to the merger, together with Tamedia we can build a strong Swiss alternative to international search engines and social networks and develop new, attractive offers for our customers." Christoph Tonini, CEO Tamedia, adds: "Together with Swisscom, we have the opportunity to build a strong Swiss online directory and are thus sending a further signal for the consistent implementation of our digital strategy."

Swisscom has granted Tamedia a right to sell (put option) and Tamedia has granted Swisscom a right to buy (call option) Tamedia's 31 percent stake, both of which can be exercised from the third year after the completion of the transaction at a price in the region of CHF 200 million.
 

However, this form of psychotherapy would not replace a live therapist. However, online therapy lowers the inhibition threshold, can bridge long waiting times for patients and is location-independent. However, internet therapies are not suitable for everyone and for all mental illnesses, especially not for complex cases. Anette Kersting from Leipzig University Hospital says that internet services are "a supplement" to traditional treatment, where therapist and patient sit opposite each other.

The University Hospital has already completed two research projects on internet therapies - for women who have lost their child during pregnancy and for patients with binge-eating disorder who suffer from recurring binge eating. Those affected were given writing tasks over a longer period of time; communication with the psychotherapist took place on a protected platform. "Such therapies work just as well as comparable outpatient treatments," says Kersting. This was apparently also confirmed by a study conducted by researchers from Leipzig and Zurich. They also make it easier for many sufferers to seek help because anonymity is maintained. "Nobody sees the patient going into a psychotherapist's practice," says Kersting.

However, the psychosomatic specialist also points out the limitations of remote treatment: patients with complex clinical pictures, severe depression or those at risk of suicide cannot be adequately cared for in this way.

In Switzerland, the University of Zurich offers online therapy for depression, trauma or prolonged severe grief, while the University of Bern offers therapy for social phobia. A kind of "virtual psychologist's practice" is Psy-help-online.ch. These services are currently not covered by basic insurance. In other countries such as Sweden and the Netherlands, online-assisted therapy is already part of the regular care system.

Patients who are unable or unwilling to pay for such internet therapy themselves can also find numerous self-help services on the internet that are structured similarly to a guidebook, but also offer exercises and, if necessary, feedback from experts. These include, for example, Deprexis.de and Novego.de, which promise help for mild to moderate depression, burnout or phobias.

Despite all the possible advantages, a general tendency towards social media and despite the attitude of not wanting to regulate every little thing online; self-help books, guides, online therapy - sounds a little suspicious without rules for the standards to be adhered to. A person seeking help probably doesn't want to have to think about which guidebook meets the regular standards of a good form of therapy. But the main thing is that there is an app. (uma/SDA)

Image: Psy-help-online.ch
 

The deadline for entries is June 12, 2015. All information is available on Swisspackagingaward.ch to find. The aim of the competition is to demonstrate the creativity and innovative strength of the Swiss packaging industry. The competition is open to innovative packaging and packaging and packaging systems developed, designed, manufactured or distributed by Swiss companies or individuals, or by foreign companies or individuals who have introduced their entries to the Swiss market. Several packages may be submitted per entrant.

Prizes in eight categories

The Swiss Packaging Award is presented in the following categories: Sustainability, Convenience, Design, Marketing, Technology, Construction as well as the Young Talent Award. A maximum of three packaging solutions will be nominated per category, one of which will be chosen as the winner. Packaging of all materials is eligible for the competition. The focus is on promoting and honoring holistic packaging solutions, regardless of the packaging material. The high-caliber jury is made up of representatives from universities and institutions as well as the packaging industry.

All awarded and nominated packaging and the companies or persons involved in it (developers, designers, manufacturers, clients) may use the official signet. Furthermore, the awarded packaging can participate in the World Star, the competition of the World Packaging Organization (WPO).

In addition to the Swiss Packaging Award, the Audience Award is presented. Here, consumers decide on their packaging of the year. The result of the public vote also provides information about the preferences and motivation of consumers. This can also be used by companies as an indicator for future developments. Voting for the Audience Award will start in July 2015.

With the Carlsberg brand, the Feldschlösschen brewery is now the exclusive partner for beer at the Openair Frauenfeld. Carlsberg, known as the beer for Swiss nightlife, is a perfect fit for this festival and will ensure the perfect open-air experience with its presence and on-site activation, Feldschlösschen said in a press release on Tuesday.
 

This was announced by the organizers of the European Media Prize on Tuesday. The award is to be presented on April 30 in the Coronation Hall of Aachen City Hall. According to the explanatory statement, the media are often subject to restrictions. These often insidious processes must be countered at an early stage.

Mijatovic monitors the development of the media in the 57 OSCE member states, points out undesirable developments in good time and supports the member states in upholding standards. The Bosnian has been the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media since 2010.

The attacks on the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo in Paris and on a cultural café in Copenhagen, where Mohammed cartoonist Lars Vilks is said to have been the target, were seen as attacks on press freedom.

The non-endowed Charlemagne Medal is awarded in the run-up to the International Charlemagne Prize for services to European unification in the field of media and for services to the development of a European identity. Last year's winner was the European Film Academy. The Charlemagne Prize will be awarded to EU Parliament President Martin Schulz on May 14.

The award is sponsored by the association "Médaille Charlemagne pour les Médias Européens" (Charlemagne Medal for the European Media) with 13 members. (SDA)

For example, eyeglass cloth and carrier bag, store window and store, advertisements, flyers and stationery.

Responsible at Bischofberger Optik: Roger Frischknecht (owner). Responsible at Blue Spirit: Liliane Ritzi, Carmen Calisi (consulting), Die Sarah Pietrasanta (CD/text), Jürg Büchi (AD), Dany Bron (graphics). Esther Möller/Sign+Shine (showcase). Photos: Suren Manvelyan.
 

The Federal Council conducted a consultation on this last year. In the preliminary draft, it proposed banning advertising on posters, in cinemas, print and electronic media. However, it wants to continue to allow advertising at kiosks and the sponsorship of open-air festivals and other events. With this solution, the Federal Council believes it has found a compromise between the interests of health protection and those of the economy.

Speaking to the media in Bern on Tuesday, Hans Stöckli, SP member of the Council of States from Bern and President of the Swiss Health Leagues Conference, spoke of an alibi law. The Federal Council's proposals were not enough to prevent young people from being constantly confronted with tobacco advertising. This is despite the fact that the Tobacco Ordinance prohibits advertising aimed directly at this target group.

Advertising for children's eyes

A study carried out by prevention organizations in French-speaking Switzerland over the last two years confirms Stöckli's findings: in almost 40 percent of sales outlets advertising tobacco products, the advertising or tobacco products were located directly next to the sweets. In 35 percent of cases, the advertising was placed at children's eye level. "Eye level is buy level", Thomas Beutler from Tobacco Prevention Switzerland recalled an old marketing rule.

Cigarettes are also advertised on go-kart tracks, in amusement arcades and on the People pages of free newspapers, which are popular with children and young people. Tobacco companies are present at festivals with events, sales stands and party tents. "Tobacco advertising is omnipresent in the everyday lives of the mostly young target audience," Beutler is convinced.

Cigarettes are not only advertised as not being harmful, but also as a positive product, said Andreas Tschöpe, Managing Director of the Swiss Association of Youth Organizations. "It should be associated with things like coolness, relaxation and a relaxed lifestyle."

A conscious, responsible consumption decision is hardly possible under these circumstances. Tschöpe was responding to the opponents of the Tobacco Products Act, who see advertising bans as an encroachment on personal freedoms. "A decision is only really free if it is made consciously," he said.

Ban costs nothing

A study published on Monday by Addiction Switzerland revealed that 7 percent of 15-year-olds in Switzerland smoke every day. That is lower than ever before. For Lung League Director Sonja Bietenhard, however, it is clear that current tobacco prevention is inadequate. The protection of young people justifies more far-reaching measures. And the most effective and cheapest prevention can be achieved through the price of tobacco and restrictions on advertising, said Stöckli, a member of the Council of States. "We must not forget: A law costs nothing."

The trade association and organizations from the tobacco, advertising and media industries take a different view. Some fear losses, while others see the bans as ideologically driven paternalism towards citizens.

The battle over tobacco advertising is in full swing between these two camps. In this heated climate, the Federal Council must now decide how to proceed with the Tobacco Products Act. If necessary, it intends to adopt a dispatch in the second half of 2015. In addition to advertising bans, it also envisages consistent age controls and rules for e-cigarettes. (SDA)

Teaser image: Lungleague.ch
 

On the website on Ubs.com/young of the current UBS youth campaign, young people interested in fashion can now prove their taste. In the Style Battle, eight different outfits are pitted against each other every week and rated by users. In collaboration with 20 Minuten Friday, the well-known Swiss fashion blogger Andrea Monica Hug from "Chic in Zurich" portrayed a total of 88 street styles on eleven current fashion themes. These were photographed in the cities of Zurich, Geneva, Lugano, Milan and London.

The Zurich advertising agency Serranetga is responsible for the conception and implementation of the campaign. In line with the target group, the "Style Battle" relies on a strategy with a focus on mobile and social media. In addition to distribution via all digital channels, the campaign will also be promoted at POS - in all H&M stores and UBS branches.

Responsible at UBS Switzerland: Daniel Fischer (Head of Marketing, UBS Switzerland), Lucia Bucheli (Marketing Key Account Management Private Clients), Martha Braide (Campaign Manager, Marketing), Mirela Jusic (Online Marketing). Responsible at Serranetga: Maurizio Rugghia (overall responsibility), Florian Beck (Executive Creative Director), Florian Bosshard (Art Direction), Thomas Blumer, Antonia Meyer (Text), Daniel Zuberbühler (Client Service Director), Barbara Flury (Project Management), Andrea Monica Hug (Street Styles), Sandro Diener (Photography), Melanie J. Auerbach creative services (Production), Futuretek (Programming).
 

More than two hundred thousand samples will be handed out to potential customers at the six largest train stations in Switzerland (Zurich, Lucerne, Geneva, Basel, Lausanne and Bern) as part of station sampling. The aim of the activities is to raise awareness of the two new products and to provide commuters with a quick and healthy snack to generate trials. The agency USP Partner is responsible for the conception, planning and project management for the implementation of both marketing activities.

From the end of March to the end of April, the USP Promoters will be ready with bulging shopping carts to bring Emmi's new products to the people. The products will be delivered to the various locations using a sophisticated refrigeration and logistics concept and distributed in the early hours of the morning by a total of more than 120 USP Promoters with an Emmi greeting. The promoters are prepared in advance for the upcoming deployment by means of a customized online learning platform so that they can provide competent information about the brand and the product.
 

Together with top Bernese chef Urs Hauri, the agency re-staged a recipe from an antique Bernese cookbook. The image concept is characterized by everyday table objects shown in a new light.

In the Swiss advertising market, eCommerce is inexorably gaining in importance and thus also moving into the focus of advertisers. A look at the February advertising spend for eCommerce shows: With a measured advertising print of 47.8 million gross Swiss francs, this is 51.3 percent higher than in the previous year. As a reminder, the overall advertising market is currently growing by "only" 0.3 percent.

eCommerce Trend Report 2015/2

The eCommerce Trend presents the monthly advertising pressure and its development compared to the same month of the previous year. The advertising expenditure in individual market categories is published. The eCommerce brands were divided into 28 categories. Furthermore, eCommerce Trend presents the advertising shares of the eCommerce brands within the top 10 categories. Finally, the media mix, which shows the distribution of advertising pressure.
 

After a long winter, people and nature noticeably breathe and blossom. The Spring issue of Marionnaud magazine rejoices with them and shows this joy in the form of artistic flower arrangements and bouquets. For the first time, Rätia Laeri, Publishing Manager at Marionnaud, is responsible for the entire magazine. She accompanied the magazine from the first cue to the finished print edition - and thus also the photo shoots for the "Loves" pages and the cover story, which were conceived and managed by Wunderman.

Responsible at Marionnaud Switzerland: Vanesa Baleiron (Trade Director), Rätia Laeri (Publishing Manager), Isolde Burtscher (PR, Social Media Manager). Responsible at Wunderman: Markus Gut (CCO), Sonja Gross (AD), Leandro Correia (graphics), Sonja Bernardi (consulting). Photography: Christian Dietrich.