Andy Lehmann provides an insight into Mediahaus Seefeld's client list for the first timeWhen he founded Mediahaus Seefeld almost a year ago, Andy Lehman wanted one thing above all else: to be independent. His declared aim was also to resurrect the classic, owner-managed media agency - true to the credo: everything from a single source, from strategy to controlling. "We have since expanded the quality of our original approach even further," explains Lehmann, adding that due to market demand, the company also offers media consulting services and sports sponsorship consulting. "Today's clients often want intensive and often specialized consulting before they even need traditional media agency services," says Lehmann, describing the changed market situation.
Around 60 percent of Mediahaus Seefeld's income comes from traditional full-service media agency services. According to Lehmann, a significant proportion, namely around a quarter, is earned from media consulting. The remaining 15 percent of the company's income comes from sports sponsorship.
The start-up from Mediahaus Seefeld is a true reflection of the current advertising market crisis. One of its main characteristics is the increasingly irregular release of media budgets. The media specialist regrets that we will have to live with this in the future. This is because the crisis has led to a behavior on the part of advertising clients that will shape the future of media work in the long term.
"The cost-conscious handling of advertising budgets has a lasting impact on clients in this phase," Lehmann is convinced. Quality in consulting and flexibility in processing are now increasingly in demand, especially from traditional Swiss branded goods and retail companies.
Short-termism and overly generous media
According to Lehmann, the entire industry lacks the optimism of the major driving forces of the second half of the nineties. Those trendy advertising investors from the telecoms, IT and financial sectors who quickly built up huge advertising pressure - and subsequently mobilized all other sectors in the long term. However, he is convinced that this will soon change again and that short-term thinking will give way to medium-term planning.
Lehmann sees a current danger in the media's growing willingness to negotiate, as expressed, among other things, by the ample free space granted in response to the purchasing power exercised. "Under the current pressure, the media and media agencies are making mistakes that could have long-term consequences." Lehmann warns that once the market has become accustomed to flexible prices, the wheel is no longer so easy to turn back. Under these circumstances, the media could only benefit partially from a renewed upswing.
Daniel Schifferle
Client list Mediahaus Seefeld
Classic media agency services (from strategy to controlling):
Athleticum Sportmarkets AG, Balena AG, Brasil Life Activ GmbH, Bataillard AG, Ergoline AG, Glas Trösch Holding AG, Katadyn AG, Lista Schweiz AG, Marie Claire AG, Maison du Vin (Geneva), Portable Shop Schweiz AG, PRS - PET-Recycling Schweiz, Rio Mare, Steinfels Weinauktionen, Tilsiter Switzerland, Trojka Wodka.
Sponsoring consulting: Sportart AG, Viva AG, Swiss Ice Hockey National League, Spenglercup, FC Zurich, Science Com AG, various direct client mandates.
Agencies with which Mediahaus Seefeld works in partnership on client projects: Hesskiss, GFS Communication, Erat, Thoma & Herzog, Boxx, Viva AG.