Rodolphe Deville on his art and his life after advertisingHe was known as the Grand Maître of Swiss advertising. Until he stepped down from the commercial stage in 1997 at the age of 65: Rodolphe Deville. For the first time, the co-founder and owner of Wiener Deville Wälchli (WDW), which is integrated into the DDB network, is exhibiting his art painting at the Schedler Gallery in Warth TG. In an article on the socio-psychogram of advertising people, Martin Suter notes that they try to compensate for their anonymous existence with conspicuous behavior in the clique, a socially critical attitude, and a high level of artistic intellect. In Suter's words: after leaving advertising, do you live out this extroversion in painting?
Rodolphe Deville: No. Firstly, I was already painting when I was twelve, and I didn't know anything about advertising then. Secondly, I had to decide when I was twenty whether I wanted to go into advertising or painting, because I had received an art scholarship at the time. First I decided on advertising and went straight from the extroverted to the introverted profession. But I always painted in secret. To this day, I have rarely talked about my introverted painting and have never shown it to anyone.
If art is your true calling, why did you choose advertising - money and a status symbol - over spirit when you were young?
Deville: Advertising had zero status symbol back then. Nobody found it particularly funny. Advertising interested me as much as the other extreme, painting. I chose advertising for security reasons, that is, for the money, despite the scholarship.
What do you think of Michael Schirner's thesis that advertising is art?
Deville: Nothing. Because advertising is a completely commercial story. You can stylize it up to art - advertisers are particularly fond of doing that - but then it has to be done at the level Bill Bernbach did. And even then it is still not art. Art is subject to different criteria than advertising.
For decades, you gave the advertised products and brands an identity. How much of Rodolphe Deville is in the abstract, rational images?
Deville: I can't say that. You probably see something of me in the pictures, but that would be unconscious. Unlike advertising, which consciously gives a brand an identity. I don't have such problems and therefore don't feel the need to position myself like a brand.
If we stay with brands anyway, you could say of Warhol that he was the Coca-Cola of the art world. With which consumer product would you associate your art?
Deville: No one. I'm not a product. If Warhol made himself into one, or if the media made him into one, then he might have smiled about it and said, "That's fine with me. If someone were to tell me that I correspond to a brand, then I would just let myself be categorized - without comment.
Few people knew that you were already painting privately in a studio on the Forch during your time as agency co-owner and CD. Why are you only exhibiting your works now?
Deville: My wife and my sons have motivated me to do this. In addition, I no longer have any space for my paintings. I can no longer fit a painting in my cellars, either here or in France. So now I'm doing an exhibition, although I resisted it for a long time, precisely for such considerations that Martin Suter had mentioned in the article in question.
Former colleagues of yours say that you were rarely satisfied with yourself. On average, how long do you work on a painting before you consider it complete?
Deville: Until it's finished. I don't set deadlines for myself.
Not only are you known as a pedantic perfectionist, you were also considered one of the few CDs who freely drew storyboards like typefaces. As a sought-after designer, you sometimes rejected a fee because it didn't reflect your market value. Does your name also have its price in art?
Deville: That's where I'm starting fresh. I'll tell you in ten years. That's how long it took me in advertising. Interview: Luca Aloisi

The Anzeiger für Gäu und Thal and Solothurner Woche are launching a joint advertising offer under the name Jura Südfuss Kombi.newspaper combi for Jura-Südfuss The joint circulation is 93977 copies. The Kombi covers the Grenchen, Solothurn, Oensingen, Egerkingen, Gäu and Thal areas. Both titles are published on Thursdays.
VSM plans online marketplace The Hallo-mittel land.ch web portal is to be expanded to include a marketplace. The portal, which was launched by Vogt-Schild/Habegger Medien (VSM), Bâloise Bank and Radio 32 at the beginning of May, has been very satisfied with the response so far. 15,000 visitors and a quarter of a million inquiries have been recorded so far. The planned virtual marketplace is intended to provide a platform for regional businesses. Existing online stores are the main target group, explained David Marquis, New Media Project Manager at VSM, to WerbeWoche. However, websites could also be specially developed for the marketplace. The target launch date is September or October.
Radio 32 expands its websiteThe Solothurn-based private radio station Radio 32 has relaunched its website. In addition to a new design, Radio32.ch primarily offers new audio content. News and weather forecasts can also be called up on the site after the broadcast. The playlist can not only be searched for weeks - the songs can also be listened to at any time via the Internet. Windows Media Player is required. A webcam in the broadcast studio, free text messages and a biorhythm calculator complete the entertainment section of the website.

Barbara Kohler, Head of Marketing at Publisuisse "The best training for every creative " Markus Gut, CD PublicisBarbara Kohler, Head of Marketing at PublisuisseWhich are your international favorites?
Barbara Kohler: Budweiser.
Swiss spots with opportunities?
Kohler: "Tekken" (Milk), "Windscreen Wiper" (Hakle).
Swiss print with opportunities?
Kohler: "The Bremen-Town Musicians" (Milk), "Openair-Festivals" (Milk), "Positions I-IV" (Snowboard Scool Laax).
How many Swiss will be successful?
Kohler: At least ten percent of the submissions.
From how little would Switzerland be provincial?
Kohler: On average and in international comparison, the submissions are of a very high standard. If the awards and nominations are well below the ten percent mark, I wouldn't describe Switzerland as an advertising province from the outset ... I can give you the answer after the festival when I have an overview.
What does Cannes mean?
Kohler: As a marketer, I consider the competition to be very important. On the one hand, it encourages creative people to be creative. On the other hand, the overview of advertising procurement reflects a zeitgeist. This
As a festival visitor, I consider this value to be very high, even if it is perhaps not directly measurable.
What is a great experience for you in Cannes?
Kohler: Spending a whole day watching the commercials on the shortlist and not being the least bit sorry that it's beautiful swimming weather outside.
Your resolution for this year?
Kohler: Spending a whole day watching the commercials on the shortlist.
In Cannes, you win above all when...
Kohler:... you submit your work.
"The best training

for every creative "
Markus Gut, CD Publicis
Which international commercial absolutely has to win an award in the Cannes competition?
Markus Gut: The "Whassup?" sequel with the alien disguised as a dog.
Swiss opportunities?
Good: The Hakle "windshield wiper" commercial is my clear Lion favorite.
Swiss print contributions with opportunities?
Good: I give the "Stella Artois" parody for Alcoholics Anonymous, the "Superman" for Arena Strength Training and the "Fat Bust" for Nifty Oxford a real chance.
How many awards do you expect for Switzerland?
Good: As this vintage was unfortunately no better than the previous ones, I would guess the same number of awards as last year.
At how low a price would Switzerland be an advertising province?
Good: Switzerland must unfortunately be described as an advertising province in any case.
What does Cannes mean to you?
Good: Cannes is the best further training for any creative person there is.
Best experience in Cannes?
Good: That the last time I stayed at the "Grand" I got a bed that was long enough for my height.
Resolution for this year?
Good: Jogging along the Croisette with Peter Brönnimann early in the morning.
In Cannes, you win above all when...
Good: ...the idea is unique and perfectly implemented.

Muse & Musse Sarah Mundhenke
What was the last cultural event you attended?
Sarah Mundhenke: "Volpone" at Theater Neumarkt, surprise invitation.
What are you reading right now?
Mundhenke: "Franz or why antelopes walk side by side" by Christoph Simon, because the title is so beautiful.
Which CD do you currently prefer to listen to?
Mundhenke: "Amnesiac" by Radiohead.
Which movie would you most like to see again?
Mundhenke: "Le fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain". The scene in which Amélie sits on the roof, sticks the antenna plug in and pulls it out, thus infuriating her football-watching neighbor, is simply great.
What TV show did you fall asleep during the other night?
Mundhenke: Not at all, the sofa is too short.
What is your latest discovery on the Internet?
Mouth handle: www.flipflopflyin .com
What could you never do without?
Mundhenke: Nothing really.
What do you do in a free minute?
Mundhenke: Soak up the sun in the Bain de Paquis (in the shade, with wine).
Love is...?
Mundhenke: Always good.

The Baromedia study identifies growing advertising fatigue, particularly among the German-speaking SwissBy Daniel SchifferleTrust in advertising and attention to it is dwindling. The latest edition of the Baromedia study by Ringier Romandie shows that German-speaking Swiss audiences are increasingly annoyed by TV advertising.
What is going on with Swiss media consumers? According to the latest edition of Baromedia, Ringier Romandie's annual study (see box), the population's trust in advertising is in decline. And the drop is striking: on a national average, only 10% of those surveyed said they had "some or complete trust" in advertising.
This is by far the lowest value measured since the start of the study, which is now in its seventh year. Three years ago, 18% of respondents trusted advertising and last year it was still 15%.
The poor performance is primarily due to the Swiss-German audience. On this side of the language border, only just
7 percent of respondents expressed their trust in advertising, while in French-speaking Switzerland the figure was more than twice as high at 17 percent.
What could have led to this accelerated advertising saturation in German-speaking Switzerland? The study does not provide an answer. One conceivable interpretation is that the German-speaking Swiss audience has by far the largest free TV offering. Although the large selection is very attractive, the audience also has to cope with a lot of advertising. This ambivalent situation could have a negative impact on sensitivity towards advertising in particular.
One consolation: trust in the media in general remains phenomenal in Switzerland, even if a slight decline has been noted here. However, the media still perform far better than most state institutions and authorities. In terms of credibility, four of the top five places go to the media. Teletext is the undisputed leader (84%), followed by schools/education (78%), radio (75%), television (69%) and the press (67%). Only the Internet (53%) scored worse than the cantonal authorities or the Federal Council (both 65%). When it comes to the question of trust, however, the Internet still scores better than the churches (45%).
Attention to advertising: All advertising media slightly weaker
What is particularly unpleasant is the fact that not only is less trust being placed in advertising, but the attention paid to it has also shrunk. A comparison of the new data with that of the previous year shows that all media types had to drop a few percentage points in terms of attention to their advertising. The only exception was radio advertising, whose value remained roughly at the same level as the previous year. Cinema advertising, on the other hand, lost a lot of ground, with only 39% of viewers claiming to be attentive (previous year: 45%). At 27% (previous year: 33%), advertising in daily newspapers also lost a significant amount of attention.
The frequent responses that simply dismiss commercial advertising as "annoying or very annoying" are also very thought-provoking (see chart). Most unease is expressed about TV advertising, which 69% feel disturbed by. However, this strikingly high figure is mainly attributable to the German-speaking Swiss public. Here, as many as 75 percent want TV advertising to go away, while in French-speaking Switzerland only 52 percent feel disturbed by advertising program interruptions.
A large proportion of Swiss people also find unsolicited advertising in letterboxes (52%), on the radio (45%) and on the Internet (42%) annoying. In terms of advertising acceptance, posters (18%), daily newspapers and teletext (23% each) are at the top of the list.
In view of the sometimes less than pleasing results, we can already look forward to the 2002 edition of Baromedia, which would be dramatic if the bad mood towards TV advertising were to become even more pronounced.
Baromedia

Ringier Romandie is publishing its annual Baromedia study for the seventh time. It observes the usage habits of the Swiss public in the areas of media and advertising as well as their environment and developments. In collaboration with the market research institute Érasm, 501 people between the ages of 14 and 74 were surveyed in both French-speaking and German-speaking Switzerland using the random quota method. Survey period: January 26 to February 17, 2001.

Objective: Reinforcement of the current print campaign within the main target group.La Genevoise Advertising medium: Skyscraper (140 ¥ 800 pixels) on Moneycab.com. Usage: Week 21 to 26.
Client: La Genevoise, Geneva; Responsible: Christian Meyer, CEO; Michael Vögele, Head of Marketing. Advertising agency: Inhalt & Form, Zurich; CD: Serge Riedener; Consultant: Christian Jost; Production: netgraphic, Zurich; Responsible: Daniel Tschanz; Marketing agency: Adlink Internet Media AG.

Daniel Krieg was appointed Creative Director of the Publicis agency in May / If Daniel Krieg wasn't a CD today, he could be a nuclear physicist or a Hollywood actor. "Why not?" says the 36-year-old. Because there is nothing that would rule Krieg out from the outset. Like a reptile, he seems to have to shed his old skin again and again. Who would have thought that the long-haired tie-hater would once have studied at the HSG, flirted with an investment banking career and worked his way up to officer in the military?
Krieg has been searching for a long time and has lived out many youth trips, as he calls them. So it's no wonder that his curriculum has surprises in store.
After realizing that neither securities prices nor serving his country should be the focus of his life, Krieg joined ofa Orell Füssli Werbe AG as Product Manager. He then moved to the business newspaper Cash, where he worked as sales manager. As a self-employed person, he later imported sports fashion, helped a friend set up a tour operator for snowboarding trips and wrote as a freelancer for Weltwoche and various sports magazines.
His girlfriend at the time, who worked in advertising and is now his wife, persuaded him to join GGK in Zurich as a junior copywriter at the age of 29, says Krieg. And he also seemed to have a golden touch for this profession: After copywriting at Farner Publicis FCB and WHS, he became a senior copywriter/concept developer at Publicis.
Today, the father of two holds the position of CD at the agency. "The extreme diversity of this industry appealed to me right from the start," he says, explaining his fascination for the job. What's more, he doesn't have to cut his hair or wear a tie.
Despite his stellar career, Krieg does not want to be called a hotshot: "I see the CD title as a promotion from talented beginner to gifted advanced player," he emphasizes. He wants to be respected for his achievements. "It's better to deliver than to lafere," is his motto.
Krieg attributes his success primarily to luck: "I was able to learn the trade from masters like Aebi, Weber, Freuler and Ruf." Good advertising is neither art nor witchcraft, but the result of 10 percent inspiration and 90 percent perspiration. His healthy curiosity also contributed to his creativity - a quality that, according to Krieg, every good advertiser must have. "After all, you can only be creative if you absorb a lot of impressions." So he soaks up everything that comes under his eyes or between his fingers - be it shopping or playing with his children, playing sport or reading. He doesn't have time for more hobbies at the moment: "In my free time, my family has top priority." Carole Koch

At the beginning of June, Content Bakery Ltd. opened its doors in Zurich's Stadtkreis 4, a new media company that is a subsidiary of Mango Communications GmbH, operator of the Swiss entertainment sites music.ch, sounds.ch and nights.ch. The core competencies of the electronic publishing company are the creation, management and distribution of journalistic content from the entertainment and culture sector. Content Bakery offers content for print media, conventional electronic media such as radio and TV as well as for new electronic media. "We want to establish ourselves with high-quality content," says Managing Director Philippe Surber, who previously also worked as Managing Director at the parent company.
David Schnapp, formerly a producer at the free newspaper Metropol, is in charge of the editorial team. The team of eight looks after clients such as VIVA-Swizz, the Migros-Genossenschafts-Bund and Metro Switzerland. The Content Bakery also produces the content of music.ch and nights.ch on behalf of its parent company and sounds.ch on behalf of Bluewin AG. (dz)

The Aargau cantonal council wants to extend the licensing area of the Zurich stations Radio 24 and Radio Z to BadenNews Aargau demands reciprocal rights for its radio stations
only if the Aargau DRS regional journal and Radio Argovia are allowed to broadcast as far as the city of Zurich as a reciprocal right. In his statement to the Federal Office of Communications, Kurt Wernli, head of the cantonal government of Aargau, writes that the cantonal government agrees in principle with the applications to extend the licenses of Radio 24 and Radio Z: "From a media policy perspective, we welcome the strengthening of competition." However, for reasons of state policy, radio from Aargau should also be receivable in the city of Zurich. This is the only way to ensure that the approximately 40,000 Aargau voters who commute to Zurich are provided with information on politics and the economy of their home canton.
Federal Council prohibits Teleclub from using Kirch's d-Box Teleclub AG is definitely not allowed to use the d-Box, a decoder for digital television, in Switzerland. The Federal Council has rejected an appeal by Teleclub against a decision by the Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC). The d-Box developed by the German Kirch Group, which owns 40 percent of Teleclub AG, is used to decrypt encoded TV programs. However, it only understands one encryption system - anyone wishing to receive differently encrypted programs needs a second box. In November 1999, the Uvek therefore decided that Teleclub had to replace the d-Box with a device that could use any coding system in order to ensure diversity of opinion. The Federal Council supports this decision. According to a press release, the use of the d-Box would jeopardize the diversity of offerings and opinions as well as the integration mandate of television. If the d-Box were approved, Teleclub subscribers in particular would only be able to receive programmes in other languages if they concluded licensing agreements with the Kirch Group, the Uvek added.
AZ and ZT establish joint newspaper distribution company
The publishers Aargauer Zeitung (AZ) and Zofinger Tagblatt (ZT) want to work together with
Zustell- und Vertriebsorganisation AG (Zuvo), Zurich, will establish a new distribution company. AZ Vertriebs AG is scheduled to commence operations on January 3, 2002. Until now, the early delivery of AZ and ZT in the canton of Aargau was partly carried out by Swiss Post. In the eastern part of the canton, AZ has been running its own distribution organization for years, while the Zofinger Tagblatt was distributed exclusively by Swiss Post. Both publishers will allow their early delivery contracts with Swiss Post to expire on December 31. The existing AZ sales organization will be integrated into AZ Vertriebs AG and all distributors will be taken over. In addition, around 300 new distributors will be employed. AZ Vertriebs AG is offering Swiss Post the opportunity to take over its sales staff, according to a press release. Bruno Haller, who previously managed AZ's newspaper distribution, will take over the management of AZ Vertriebs AG.
Gruntz celebrates resurrection at PublimagNew life for Gruntz: The youth magazine, which previously appeared on the magazine market from 1994 to 1999, will be revived on November 1. In terms of content, Gruntz focuses on youth-relevant topics such as skateboarding and snowboarding, graffiti, music and texts written by readers. The magazine is aimed at young people aged 18 to 20 in German-speaking Switzerland and is published every six months with a print run of 80,000 copies. Most of these are distributed in schools and universities and by hand. Gruntz is only published in 20 selected stores, explained Stefan Hofer from the advertising sales company Publimag to WerbeWoche. Publimag is in charge of advertising for the magazine, which is produced by the Bern-based event and production company Wiseguys.

Steinmann's first step: NetBase, a free counterpart to MA NetBy Markus KnöpfliAt the beginning of May, Matthias Steinmann, Head of the SRG Research Service, waved a fence post at Wemf. Now he has struck: with NetBase, he is offering MMXI customers free monthly Internet structure data.
MMXI (Switzerland), one of the two Internet panel operators in Switzerland, was able to win SRG as a media partner at an early stage. What's more, the SRG research service is responsible for the representative survey of a basic population of the "Swiss Internet community" for the MMXI panel. The Konso Institute, which conducts a total of 43,000 telephone interviews per year, was commissioned to carry out the survey. This data material, called NetBase, has so far only been used internally to determine the MMXI Internet Panel. However, this will soon change: MMXI subscribers will also receive the NetBase material for the last three months free of charge with their May Internet usage data. And then six times a year.
Two currencies again - and the benefits are questionable
So far, so interesting - if it weren't for the MA Net (and partly the MA Comis) of the AG für Werbemedienforschung (Wemf). Wemf has been collecting partly similar data since 1997. Matthias Steinmann had considered this competition (WW 17/01) because Wemf had entered into a partnership with MMXI opponent ACNielsen. Now he is following up his words with action. Whether this will help the Internet industry is questionable. Because with
the panels from ACNielsen and
MMXI, there have recently been two incompatible currencies on the market for Internet usage (WW 22/01). Now the sector is again receiving two different currencies for Internet structure data (see table). This time, however, the differences are
MA Net and NetBase show no parallels in the definition of what a user is, let alone in the number of users.
of the interviews or in the publication of the results.
The advantage of MA Net: a brand since 1997, shows Internet development over several years, provides a manageable amount of data. However, MA Net is not compatible with the ACNielsen Internet Panel.
The advantage of NetBase: highly representative thanks to 43,000 interviews, compatible with Radio- and Telecontrol as well as MMXI-Panel. The latter is also the second fence post in Steinmann's arsenal, as it could also be used to create a competing product to Wemf's MA Strategy (WW 17/01).
Two currencies again

NetBase June 01 MA Net 2001,
(SRG) 1st wave (Wemf)
Published at least 6 times a year, (dates 2x a year
over 3 months in each case)
Number of interviews per wave 10 700 12 313
Number of interviews per year 43,000 approx. 23,000
Age 2++ 14++
Definition: An Internet user ... ... has in the last month ... has in the last
at home, at work 6 months at home, at work
or elsewhere at least workplace or elsewhere
used the Internet at least once
(= Total User) used (= widest
User group WNK)
ResultsSurvey period April 2001 April to September 2000
Total Internet users 3 115 000 (= total users) 2 636 000 (= WNK)
Number of persons with 2 807 056 is not collected
Internet connection at home
Number of Internet users 2,195,000 1,865,000
at home
Number of Internet users 1,866,000 1,711,000
at the workplace
Number of Internet users 501 000 is not collected
elsewhere/on the road

Earnings below expectations force Bluewin to restructureBy Bruno AmstutzBluewin is the undisputed market leader among Swiss Internet portals. Despite a reach of over 50 percent, advertising revenues are lagging behind the success of its audience.
According to MMXI, the bluewin.ch domain reached 53% of Swiss Internet users in April. A dream figure for any advertising client. Nevertheless, the blue giant is cutting back: Around twenty jobs are being cut, channels merged and others removed from the range. In an interview with the Basler Zeitung, Bluewin CEO Christoph Brand cites the "unrealistically low prices" for internet services, which will soon no longer be free of charge, as the reason.
But where does the problem lie? With the media agencies or the advertising clients? "There is currently a noticeable skepticism towards banners," says Heinz Bischof, Managing Director of the media agency Media Planning. Andy Lehmann, Managing Director of Optimedia, makes a similar analysis: "The Internet as a medium currently has a bad reputation." This is apparently enough to put clients off. For Lehmann, it is not the portals' lack of performance that is responsible for the banner slump, but the negative publicity. However, he also does not see himself as responsible for the change in trend. "As a media agency, our job is not to push a medium, but to fulfill our clients' objectives."
Expectations 17 million francs lower
Meanwhile, Bluewin is trying to make the portal more attractive for advertisers and media agencies with new forms of advertising: pop-ups, interstitials and microsites are intended to enable larger, more eye-catching advertising. Daniel Neukom, Managing Director of the Internet media agency Euromedia Schweiz AG, describes these eye-catchers as a valuable addition to the offering, but ultimately as symptom control: "A portal alone cannot solve the problem anyway. What we need is generic marketing."
Christoph Morach, Managing Director Switzerland of Qualiclick, the marketer of Bluewin advertising space, is also calling for this kind of neutral education to improve the reputation of the Internet as a medium in the advertising industry. Qualiclick is trying to make the possibilities of web advertising palatable to advertising and media agencies through training courses. Ultimately, however, Morach sees this as a drop in the ocean. In his opinion, a strong association should do the educational work.
One reason for the cat's meow is probably the high expectations placed on the growth rate of the Internet advertising volume. After advertising expenditure of around 32 million francs in the Swiss network in 2000, the industry was expecting 57 million for 2001, according to Morach. After the first four months of the year, expectations have fallen to 40 million.

The European Commission wants to completely remove advertising restrictions on over-the-counter medications. This is evident from the Commission’s first, as yet unpublished, discussion paper on the revision of European pharmaceutical law. The advertising ban will continue to apply to prescription drugs—except in the professional press for physicians. The pharmaceutical industry has praised the new draft. A VERY ORDINARY YEAR. The year 1926 lies between a deceptive peace and the dawn of war. Hans Ulrich Gumbrecht, a humanities scholar teaching in California, has compiled what happened in this «very ordinary year» in a book titled «1926 – A Year on the Edge of Time» (Suhrkamp Verlag). Since the book is not illustrated, the Basel Poster Collection now intends to accompany the texts with relevant posters. Thanks to the collecting efforts of generations, visitors to the exhibition spaces at Spalenvorstadt 2 in Basel can immerse themselves in a veritable «panopticon of the year 1926.» An extension of the exhibition is also on view at the Museum für Gestaltung in Zurich.
ALL ABOUT US. Even advertising needs advertising. That’s why there’s an annual “All About Us” campaign. This advertising-for-advertising campaign serves as a reminder of its value and has been organized by the Swiss Advertising Association (SW) since 1986. The idea relies on sponsors who implement and distribute it free of charge. This year’s campaign by Wirz Werbung, Zurich, shows that advertising has more to offer than just pretty pictures and funny slogans. Advertising educates, conveys knowledge about the latest products, and keeps us up to date. This message is now available in six designs and various print formats, ready for distribution. The free CD-ROM is available at [email protected] or by calling 01 211 40 11.
Poster Stories. Among the more than 5,000 spectators who saw the Trio Eden’s final show was Frank Bodin. The CEO of Euro RSCG was thoroughly entertained by the antics of Helmi Sigg, Guy Landolt, and Midi Gottet. It was a «one-night stand» with lasting effects, as Bodin subsequently created a new poster for Helmi and his troupe out of sheer delight. The troupe plans to go on tour this fall under professional management and has just produced a «Schweizerlacher» for officially recognized Swiss color television.
Meyer’s is expanding. The women’s magazine Meyer’s is adding four to five people to its editorial staff. “We’ve had to work with a minimal staff up until now,” says Editor-in-Chief Silvia Aeschbach. One year after the relaunch, the editorial team is being strengthened so that the magazine can continue on its current path. Next week, another of Aeschbach’s wishes will come true: Starting with issue 25, Meyer’s will be printed on thicker paper. She hopes this will make the magazine more attractive for advertisements for high-end products.
Free newspapers are boosting the SDA’s profits. The Swiss News Agency (SDA) Group increased its revenue by 9.7 percent to 38.5 million francs in fiscal year 2000. The group’s parent company, the Swiss News Agency AG, saw its revenue rise by 9 percent to 29.9 million francs. Net income rose from 301,000 to 583,000 francs. The SDA attributes this increase to higher sales generated by the new commuter newspapers. The SDA subsidiary Sportinformation (Si.) increased its revenue by 10 percent to 9.2 million francs.
WITH A MAN’S WEAPONS. According to (unofficial) statistics, people think about sex at least six times a day. So it’s no wonder that the creative team at Euro RSCG keeps coming up with something new on the spot for their client, Condomeria. A quickie that was almost political in nature was the reaction to the latest federal vote on the revision of the Military Act. The ad, featuring the condom as a man’s weapon, appears exclusively in the commuter newspaper 20 Minuten.
Editorial

Only the best is good enough
It's that time of year again: From June 18 to 23, the advertising elite will gather at the 48th Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. Over 19,000 entries from 81 countries are vying for
for the Cannes Lions, the most coveted advertising awards of all. Swiss advertisers submitted 305 entries this year. While this didn’t match last year’s record participation of 399 entries, that isn’t the most important thing.
At this festival, quality is the only thing that counts. A critical selection of entries in advance can therefore do no harm. On the contrary, a rigorous selection process does justice to the festival’s reputation, because Cannes is, after all, the World Cup of advertising. It goes without saying that only the best is good enough there. The rest are mercilessly weeded out. On top of that, as Frank Bodin rightly points out in the interview on page 14, there are no quotas in Cannes—unlike at the ADC Switzerland.
The question on every Swiss advertiser’s mind this year is, of course: Will our country bring home a Lion? Matthias Luchsinger expects 2 to 3 Lions, and 10 to 15 entries should even make it onto the shortlist. According to the Swiss representative in Cannes, the Swiss entries’ chances appear to be intact. To find out how other Cannes experts assess Switzerland’s chances, read our survey and preview starting on page 12.
We, too, are curious to see who will make it to Cannes this year. Samuel Helbling