In a survey conducted by Schweiz am Sonntag, the editors-in-chief of the Swiss-German media are relatively open for the first time about which party they support. Of the 17 editors-in-chief surveyed, 12 responded with statements, some of which were detailed. None of the twelve are party members.

He is a "GLP and FDP sympathizer", says Patrick Feuz, editor-in-chief of the Bund, for example. Peter Jost, editor-in-chief of the Berner Zeitung, states: "I describe myself as liberal. I feel - and Smartvote confirms - that I agree most with the FDP." And Christine Maier, Editor-in-Chief of Sonntagsblick, emphasizes that she sees herself "as an independent journalist". She works in a publishing house "where this is expressly desired". According to Schweiz am Sonntag, Maier's emphasis on this is not without a certain explosiveness: for a long time, Ringier products were considered left-wing.

Three out of twelve are center-right

Eight editors-in-chief emphasized their independence. However, three place themselves in the center-right segment in terms of party politics: Feuz, Jost and Norbert Neininger, editor-in-chief and publisher of Schaffhauser Nachrichten. They are "traditionally committed to the liberal party, but not to the FDP", says Neininger. "We are federalists, stand up for Switzerland's independence and for neutrality." It is also known that Markus Somm, the trenchant editor-in-chief of the Basler Zeitung - currently away on vacation - is an FDP member. According to Schweiz am Sonntag, these statements make it clear that the editors-in-chief in German-speaking Switzerland have become more bourgeois.

Few left-wing representatives

Res Strehle, current editor-in-chief of the Tages-Anzeiger, is one of the few exceptions. He votes SP, Greens and Green Liberals, he said at the ceremony in honor of Kurt Pelda, the Swiss Journalist of the Year 2014. As he will soon be retiring, he can say that now. David Sieber, editor-in-chief of Südostschweiz, says that the media's shift to the right is - in his view - "the reason why I am considered left-wing". And he adds with a wink: "I've stood still."

Media move closer to the majority

Several editors-in-chief are of the opinion that there is a general shift to the right in the media. "Fierce competition and falling circulations are certainly not contributing to the opposite," explains Tristan Brenn, Editor-in-Chief of SRF. Sieber also sees a shift to the right. "But it's been going on for around 15 years," he says. "The media are opportunists. They move with the majority. They don't want to lose any more readers." According to Schweiz am Sonntag, online comments are likely to play a role in this. The topics that generate particularly many and particularly strong reader reactions online are often right-wing ones. Immigration, crime, social abuse: stories on these topics reliably generate clicks.

SP loses ground

The SP is worried about this development. It has to watch as once well-meaning media move away from it. According to Schweiz am Sonntag, many Social Democrats are even dissatisfied with the Tages-Anzeiger's course since the paper reported on the SVP immigration initiative too uncritically in their eyes. And Levrat complained to Schweiz am Sonntag about the NZZ, saying that it has for some time now been "consistently hyping the bourgeois alliance".

Media want to be more political

Various editors-in-chief are observing that politics is gaining in importance in the media. "Editorial teams always have a stance, and more recently they have started to stand by it again. This sets us apart from the fun and arbitrary platforms on the Internet," says Norbert Neininger. At the same time, he is currently even considering whether his newspaper should resume the tradition of journalists holding political office. "We used to have members of the National Council and Council of States on the editorial team. That was common practice for us, but later frowned upon," he says.

It was also a long tradition in other publishing houses for journalists to be politically active. With the decline of the party press, journalists became less active in politics. Observers see the National Council candidacy of Weltwoche editor-in-chief Roger Köppel as a beacon. "You can ask yourself whether the era of the forum press is coming to an end," says Dominique von Burg, President of the Swiss Press Council. "There is a lot to suggest that we are entering a phase in which newspapers have a higher political profile."

Are young people in particular more political?

This has already had an impact on the next generation of journalists. In many editorial offices, media professionals with a political background or who are active party members can once again be found. "There is a rapprochement between the media and politics among young journalists today," says Luzia Tschirky from the Young Journalists' Association. "Hardly anyone becomes a journalist today because of the money. The economic crisis in the media means that journalism is once again attracting more people who want to get into the industry for idealistic reasons." (Schweiz am Sonntag/sis) 
 

In Reto Rohner, the publishing house management has succeeded in bringing on board an experienced man who is well-known and respected in the industry, according to a press release issued on Sunday. His ideas and the strategic direction of the publishing house are fully in line with each other. There were apparently differences between the former editor-in-chief Eveline Dudda and the publishing house (Werbewoche.ch reported).

Reto Rohner runs a green communications agency in Uznach and has been dedicated to nature and gardening since his earliest childhood. Initially working mainly in plant protection, he was head of the horticultural retail trade department at the Jardin Suisse association for 15 years. As a journalist, he has worked for 20 years as a sideline for various gardening magazines in Switzerland and abroad. According to the press release, he has a particular passion for photography, which for him is the most important key to packaging topics, ideas and opinions crisply.
 

According to Wasserfallen, the bill "above all cements the strong position of the SRG without discussing the content of the public service". It must be possible to discuss the existence of Radio SRF Virus or the music program Swiss Pop, because such programs would take the water away from private radio stations. In addition, the new Billag fee would "secretly introduce a media tax for companies", which is not sustainable.

Badran, on the other hand, finds a political debate on specific content "tricky", as this would put the independence of SRG at risk. According to the SP National Councillor, the quality of the programs is already supported by a broad-based, democratically elected body. "The control of the media is guaranteed by the responsible bodies of the SRG sponsorship with 23,000 association members." She does not want "conditions like those in Germany, Austria, France or Italy, where politics interferes in the public media". The media should control politics, not the other way around. Wasserfallen, on the other hand, considers this to be "a bizarre understanding of the SRG", which has a political mandate. (NZZ am Sonntag/sis)
 

The Rundschau reported this week on the Zurich streetcar procurement: it was a scandal, the provider Bombardier had been blatantly favored in the evaluation of the bids.

Fersehmagazin invited the German engineer Martin Weis as an expert. Right at the beginning of the article, Weis demanded that the procedure be restarted. He had come to this conclusion after reading a confidential interim report by the Winterthur-based expert office Molinari. This report was commissioned by the Zurich Transport Association (ZVV) because it distrusts the VBZ with regard to the evaluation of the offers.

Expert linked to competition

The presentation in the Rundschau lacks credibility to be independent, so now the reproach of Schweiz am Sonntag. For one thing, Weis has had business ties with Molinari since at least February 2014 - something the Rundschau should have taken into account. Editorial director Mario Poletti, on the other hand, explained in response to a question from Schweiz am Sonntag that, according to his information, Weis was not currently working with Molinari and had only learned through Rundschau that the interim report existed at all.

According to Schweiz am Sonntag, Weis is also well acquainted with Stadler Rail, which also bid. As managing director of Potsdamer Verkehrsbetriebe, he was responsible for the acquisition of Stadler streetcars in 2009. In the interview with Schweiz am Sonntag, Stadler Rail CEO Peter Spuhler expressed congruent views with Weis, the newspaper emphasizes.

Recordings prove nothing

The "evidence" filmed in the Rundschau would not convincingly demonstrate that there was indeed a preference for Bombardier, the article continues. The pictures would simply not prove anything, not even the opposite.

Relativities ignored

Moreover, the Rundschau and its expert Weis would completely exclude the remarks repeatedly made by Molinari that the interim report does not allow for a "conclusive assessment" due to "limited access to the documents". But relativizations would find little place when the waves are running high and the exclusive is also explosive, the article concludes. (Schweiz am Sonntag/sis)
 

Depending on your personal inhibitions, you might still find it funny if your child dresses up with tampons and sanitary towels. But the fun stops for everyone when it comes to weapons: children should definitely not play with them. They should therefore be kept out of their reach - just as contraceptives, sex toys etc. are usually kept. The campaign uses catchy and funny subjects to raise awareness of a serious topic. (sis)
 

If you don't like waiting, raise your hand - that's what the yellow posters hanging along the streets of New York say. They advertise a local cab company with a successful direct sales appeal. (sis)

 

As a result of the synergies, the two broadcasters anticipate moderately lower staffing requirements in the coming months, according to a joint press release issued on Thursday evening. However, this should largely be achieved through natural fluctuation, according to the statement.

The programming cooperation covers weekday lunchtimes from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday afternoons and Sundays. The successful morning and evening shows will each remain independent in order to maintain the identity of the stations and their local and regional roots.

Radio 24 and Radio Argovia both belong to Radio Medien AG, which is owned by Aargau publisher Peter Wanner's BT Holding. 

The two courses "Professional Media Relations" and "Rhetoric and Moderation" are a partner offering of the Maz and the HWZ Hochschule für Wirtschaft Zürich and an elective module of the MAS Business Communications of the HWZ.

CAS Professional Media Relations

14 graduates completed the CAS (Certificate of Advanced Studies) "Professional Media Relations" at Maz at the end of February. In the course of study, they learned and trained technical and strategic media and communications knowledge. Experienced lecturers from companies, agencies and associations taught them in a practical way how an efficient media office has to be structured and networked, how successful issue management works or how to score points even in crisis situations. Thanks to intensive coaching, the CAS graduates also improved and refined their writing and presentation skills.

Certificates received:

Michèle Ackermann, Jura Elektroapparate; Gabi Buchwalder, Lucerne; Martina Christen, Buttisholz; Gabriela Fischer, Inwil; Liliane Keller Würmli, Oberrüti; Sandra Mendez, Emmenbrücke; Myriam Michel, Zürich; Clemens Nef, Canton St. Gallen; Joka Obrenovic, Mörschwil; Simone Strub Larcher, Aarau; Sarah Christina Wahlen, Bern; Thomas Wallimann-Sasaki, Ennetmoos; Dionys Widmer, St. Gallen City Police; Miranda Zawrzykraj, Zurich.

CAS Rhetoric and Moderation

In the six-month, part-time course, participants intensively improved their own performance skills using a wide range of rhetorical tools. Individual coaching in breathing and voice techniques was provided throughout the course. The participants trained the art of convincing appearance and argumentation in speeches and negotiations. They professionalized various presentation techniques as well as the art of storytelling. In the second part of the CAS course, participants deepened their skills and knowledge in moderating meetings and panel discussions as well as in leading difficult conversations. A two-day media training course concluded the total of eleven modules, each lasting two days.

Certificates received:

Dominik Bonderer, Canton of Zurich Construction Department; Sabine Brodbeck, Hirslanden Klinik St. Anna; Eduard Brogli, Municipality of Brig-Glis; Stephan Christen, Bellikon; Christian Eiholzer, Küssnacht am Rigi; Thomas Gemperle, Frauenfeld; André Lauber, Oftringen; Karin Leemann Gisler, ERZ Entsorgung + Recycling Zürich; Bea Linder, Winterthur; Martina Locher, SECO; Christian Schepers, Forrer Lombriser & Partner AG; Mary Sidler Stalder, Sempach; Ueli Sutter, Garaventa AG; Martina Elisabeth Wagner, Senarclens, Leu + Partner AG; Madeleine Zbinden, Madeleine Zbinden GmbH Organisationsberatung & Privatklinik Clienia Schlössli AG, Oetwil.

 

In TV commercials, on print ads and posters, and on web banners, this new direction is communicated with a clear slogan: "Finally, you get what you expect from investment advice." 

The campaign picks up authentic situations from the lives of investment clients. Staged in a private setting, they know exactly what they want and find a competent partner for their individual goals in Credit Suisse Invest, according to a statement on Friday. The casualness of the observations is intended to immediately create an intimacy that was staged by director Mona El Mansouri with attention to detail. 

The campaign will be on air throughout Switzerland from March.

Responsible at Credit Suisse: Tarkan Özküp (Head of Marketing Switzerland, overall responsibility), Thomas Christen, Alessandro Monsurrò, Nicole Fuchs, Desirée Germann (Marketing Investments & Wealth Planning), Anja Herrmann, Marisa Piffari, Delila Kurtovic, Michael Schmid (Advertising). Responsible at Havas Zurich: Frank Bodin (overall responsibility), Michael Kathe (CD), Christoph Hess, Markus Tränkle (text), Denis Schwarz (AD), Walter Tagliaferri, Rolf Hunziker, Thomas Wettstein, Diego Cortés (consulting), Constantine Wrage (FFF), Mona El Mansouri (direction), Pumpkin Film AG (film production), Ultra Images (post production), Jingle Jungle (sound studio), Jonathan Heyer, Dhondup Tersey (photo), Felix Schregenberger (image editing).  

We sense nervousness and receive questions and signals from customers about internal discussions - but these are not (yet) extremely alarming developments for communications investments. We still expect a slightly positive sign, but we must not forget that "paid media" will become somewhat less in the long term and that here and there budget will flow into "earned and owned". It is also important to note that we can no longer speak of a correct representation of advertising investments on the part of Mediafokus, because there are more and more distortions here. In addition, we are certainly in the midst of a significant digital transformation with an accelerating development - this was also revealed by the last study conducted by BSW in cooperation with the HSG. From this it can be seen that, on the one hand, the net share of digital is significantly higher than reported in Mediafokus and, on the other hand, the intentions of advertisers to invest in digital touchpoints are becoming greater and greater. Printed media will continue to lose ground, in some cases by double digits in our projection, i.e., with the exception of special economic situations (e.g., Landliebe), we expect "print-only" budgets to continue to shrink, but this will be partially offset by shifts to digital publisher products.

In any case, performance and promotion will play a greater role - today this is called activation. In addition, there will be native and couponing as well as any form of functioning mobile advertising as a conditioning "extension" of the brand funnel. We are convinced that it is not acceptable for brands/products to perform with maximum awareness and high involvement, but then fall off the grid when it comes to conditioning and the act of purchase. This is where the mobile device, with its many possibilities, has a great opportunity. Depending on the advertised product or service, opportunities also arise in an anti-cyclical approach to improve the share of voice, but not at any price. For example, we see successes from time to time with seasonalities, i.e. when the industry advertises less and a competitor is suddenly on the road with a high SoV. This can have an impact and thus also work in crises - but with far greater nervousness.
 

Yes, there were various customers who canceled advertising orders when the minimum euro limit was lifted. However, these cancellations were very modest. The slump will never be on the scale of the last crisis in 2008/2009. Back then, it was a global financial crisis. Now the Swiss franc has been deliberately made more expensive, taking into account the risks. Job advertisements in the export and tourism industries will be particularly affected. However, this will have a greater impact on digital job platforms. It is possible that the entire volume of jobs will be halved. In the commercial sector, I believe that once the shock has been overcome, we will close the year at around the previous year's level. The abolition of the euro minimum threshold brings opportunities as well as risks. Purchasing for households and companies will become cheaper in some cases. This means that an increase in advertising can also be expected. Export and tourism companies will have a more difficult time. Losses are to be expected in national and regional advertising. Overall, if the euro and the franc do not diverge even further, the impact on media companies does not appear to be too serious.