At the same time, Gassmann acquires the majority of shares in Mediancer, a Lausanne-based company specializing in the development of websites and apps.

The Biel-based print and media company is gearing its thinking and actions towards a mobile and digital future and is bundling the expertise that already exists within the Group in the "Digital" business unit. The aim of the new business unit is to develop existing and new digital products and services and to establish them successfully in the market. This complements the existing core businesses of commercial printing (Gassmann Print and Courvoisier-Attinger Arts graphiques) and media (including Bieler Tagblatt, Le Journal du Jura, Terre & Nature, Canal 3, Tele Bielingue). Bernhard Wüthrich has been hired to head the "Digital" division. Wüthrich has qualified experience in the management of corresponding areas and projects, including at Scout 24 and Ringier.

Gassmann acquires majority stake in Mediancer

As part of its digital orientation, Gassmann is acquiring a majority stake in Mediancer, a Lausanne-based company specializing in website and application development. Mediancer already has a long-standing collaboration with Inédit Publications in Lausanne, which also belongs to the Gassmann Group, for the production and publication of customer publications, both in print and for tablets and smartphones. This collaboration resulted in MiPadE, the market-leading publication system in French-speaking Switzerland, which is already used by over 50 magazines. The technological leadership position is to be further expanded and also made available in German-speaking Switzerland. Mediancer was founded 20 years ago by Lucie and Fiorenzo de Palma, two former Logitech employees. Fiorenzo de Palma continues to head the company's development division. Lucie de Palma joins the Technology Advisory Board of the Gassmann Group. Mediancer is now headed by Thierry Vial, Managing Director of Inédit Publications.

The acquisition will allow the companies in Lausanne to strengthen, further develop and expand their services in the digital sector. The Gassmann Group in Biel will benefit from the existing products in French-speaking Switzerland and will further expand their distribution in German-speaking Switzerland. With the acquisition of Mediancer, the Gassmann Group secures the necessary know-how to develop and offer state-of-the-art and contemporary products in future, increasingly digitally oriented markets, according to a statement.

With 40,000 members at 18 locations, Kingdom of Sports is one of the leading providers of club fitness in northern Germany. Apparently 40,000 is not enough, because the chain is launching a campaign worth seeing to recruit new kilo-sweaters. Whereby "worth seeing" is an elastic term. As stretchy as a pair of stretch jeans when your proud belly no longer fits into inflexible legwear. Message: From a certain belly size, training away is less costly than covering up. Makes sense. (hae)

This was announced at the Tamedia press conference on Thursday. Tamedia had offered to improve the present, criticized social plan by 30 percent. However, the personnel committee of Landbote, Zürichsee-Zeitung and Unterländer did not accept this offer, said Tamedia spokesman Christoph Zimmer. Instead, he said, it had consistently insisted on the benefits of Tamedia's 2009 social plan. That social plan was negotiated for Tages-Anzeiger layoffs and offered better benefits "compared to the current offer." However, Tamedia does not want to put together this package for the employees of the regional newspapers. Zimmer justified this decision by saying that the economic environment for media companies had changed significantly since 2009. For example, newspaper advertising revenues in Switzerland have fallen by 200 million francs.

"A fair offer"

The offer was fair, said Tamedia CEO Christoph Tonini. He said it was regrettable that it had not been possible to negotiate a social plan in this case. "But if you are called anti-social, I have no understanding for that," he continued. Tonini was thus alluding to the protests by those affected and the unions, who repeatedly called the publishing house "anti-social." On Thursday morning, around 50 employees of the regional newspapers as well as union representatives protested against the "asocial plan" with a concert of whistles in front of the Tamedia building. Three weeks ago, a similar demonstration had already taken place in front of the Landbote headquarters in Winterthur (Werbewoche.ch reported). For Tamedia, however, the issue of the social plan is closed, said Zimmer. Another demonstration of discontent took place in Lausanne in the afternoon.

Tamedia is cutting a total of 25 jobs at its regional newspapers (Werbewoche.ch reported). Due to numerous departures in recent weeks, however, only about 15 jobs will probably have to be cut. From June, the regional newspapers will then appear with a new structure and layout. Externally, Landbote, Zürcher Unterländer and Zürichsee-Zeitung will in future be based on the Berner Zeitung. The background to the realignment is the takeover of Landbote by Tamedia.

Photos: Advertising week/pcm

Protests also in French-speaking Switzerland

There were also demonstrations against the Zurich media company in Lausanne on Thursday. In front of the Edipresse tower, around 100 employees protested against downsizing measures and staff transfers, which, according to the syndicom union, would also be handled without a fair social plan. Although the results had declined, they remained good, said Christian Campiche, vice president of the union Imprint. Tamedia had announced an austerity program in spring 2013, which also affects the media in French-speaking Switzerland. Among others, this applies to the titles Le Matin, 24 Heures and Tribune de Genève. In addition, the future of the newspaper Le Temps is open, which has been put up for sale by the majority shareholders Tamedia and Ringier. (SDA)

 

Travel planning and booking behavior for flights have changed significantly in recent years and shifted increasingly to online channels. To meet the changing customer needs, Swiss has completely redesigned its online presence on Swiss.com. Thanks to "fully responsive" design, the site automatically adapts its function and appearance to the customer's respective terminal device.

Personalized online travel advice

The new website is much more user-friendly and equipped with numerous new features. The travel-related content in the "Prepare" and "Fly" sections is automatically personalized. Customers are thus shown individual information boxes related to flight routes. The "Explore" section provides crew tips and information on hotels, restaurants, stores or sights around 77 Swiss destinations. This extensive information is supplemented by partner content from Google Places, Foursquare as well as Tripadvisor and supports customers in their destination search. As a further highlight, Swiss is making the completely new Swiss iPad app available to its customers for download. In it, the flight-relevant information is personalized and displayed in relation to the respective trip. This means, for example, that customers can also find information on baggage and entry regulations, the current weather at their destination or their mileage status in their personal iPad logbook, both in on- and offline mode. All flights are also stored in the iPad logbook, giving the customer an overview of all past flights with Swiss and Swiss codeshare partners.

The highlight "World of Swiss

On the newly designed platform, Swiss also offers its customers a digital brand and product experience with "World of Swiss". Users can use scrolling to embark on a virtual journey on which Swiss presents itself as the airline of Switzerland on various themed routes. Among other things, visitors are given an understanding of the airline's relationship to Swiss traditions and values. Linked to the themed routes are various images and video content on Swiss products and services. For example, users can follow a working day of the crew on board or take a look inside the cockpit during take-off and landing. In addition, Swiss provides insights on everything to do with food on board and explains the concepts as well as the manufacturing processes of the products (e.g. of the Swiss chocolate on board). This information is also linked, among other things, to a map of Switzerland showing the locations of suppliers. On another level, the customer finds information on the Swiss fleet. When selecting the aircraft type, for example, various technical details, enrollment and background information on the naming ceremony are displayed. In addition, an interactive world map will make it possible to see where Swiss aircraft are on their route.

Hinderling Volkart is responsible for concept, design and frontend programming of the new Responsive Website. The backend integration was done by Swiss' own team, which was additionally supported by Unic.
 

According to the press release, the Swiss watch manufacturer is contributing its many years of marketing expertise in the luxury goods sector to the new partnership, while at the same time benefiting from the popularity and cult status of FC Barcelona, a football club adored by 300 million fans. This link brings FC Barcelona and Maurice Lacroix closer than ever to their fans. They give everyone access to a luxurious Swiss quality product. Three watch models in different price categories will be available in all FC Barcelona boutiques as well as in Maurice Lacroix's official international retail network. The "Fan" model gives fans affordable access to a quality Swiss watch. Lovers of mechanical models can choose between an innovative "Player" model and a refined "Executive" model.

The partnership is communicated and symbolized in Europe's largest stadium through a whole range of different elements: On a 230-meter-long LED billboard on the edge of the pitch, on the LCD screen of the fourth referee, through monumental Maurice Lacroix watches as well as an exclusive presence in all VIP zones of the Camp Nou.

Josep Maria Bartomeu, President of FC Barcelona: "FC Barcelona is proud to enter into a partnership with such a modern and dynamic brand as Maurice Lacroix. We are convinced that the success of this strategic alliance will have a global impact." Marc Gläser, Managing Director of Maurice Lacroix: "Maurice Lacroix is delighted to enter into this unique partnership with the legendary football club. We share many common values with FC Barcelona, such as our passion for precision and creativity. We both have great ambitions and leave nothing to chance, but are driven by the desire to improve every day."

Under the new campaign claim "Breathe a sigh of relief!", the second campaign of the Swiss Lung League will appear at the beginning of March. Following the awareness campaign for the lung disease COPD, the focus is now on the disease sleep apnea. In Switzerland, more than 150,000 people suffer from sleep apnea. The often unrecognized disease can be well treated and the patients' quality of life can be improved as a result.

Erdmannpeisker has developed a TV commercial, ads and online banners to raise awareness of sleep apnea, urging the target audience to look out for the symptoms of daytime sleepiness and intermittent snoring. Lungleague.ch to take the risk test. In this communication, just as with COPD, the disease was staged with a surprisingly simple and plausible implementation.

Responsible at Lungenliga Schweiz: Ursula Luder, Barbara Weber, Monique Sturny. Responsible at Erdmannpeisker: Gabriel Peisker and Sybille Erdmann (overall responsibility), Patrick Fawer, Daniel Hesse (AD), Selina Helbling (consulting), Christian Grund (photo). Film production: Shining Pictures, Stefan Bircher (production), Lukas Frieden (director).

 

The crimes of the duo from central Switzerland began in January 2007. The now 45-year-old head of advertising marketing at Ringier agreed with the Lucerne-based supplier of market research data to make big money with inflated or fictitious invoices. The two men, who had both business and personal ties, handled a total of 29 transactions by spring 2010, bilking the Zurich-based media group out of at least 977'000 Swiss francs.

 
The two men had to stand trial before the Zurich District Court on charges of commercial fraud, falsification of documents and money laundering. The former Ringier man is also alleged to have relieved the unemployment fund of more than 5,000 francs by providing false information after his departure.

 
Wife had bought too much
 
The main accused ex-cadre man largely confessed, but blamed his fraud on extraordinary circumstances. On the one hand, he had suffered from inferiority complexes and existential fears. On the other hand, his still-wife had spent far too much money, the family man stated.
 
The Lucerne accomplice put the entire blame on his former business partner. The latter had assured him that the practices were tolerated by the Ringier management in order to set up black-money accounts for an advertising company.
Budget to set up. He thought that was fine, he said in court.
 
Because of the considerable culpability, the public prosecutor demanded prison sentences of several years: three years partially conditional for the former Ringier executive, of which twelve months unconditional, and 24 months conditional for the Lucerne sole proprietor.
 
The Ringier Group had waived civil claims in the criminal proceedings. The authorities had still seized around 200'000 francs from the main defendant. The accomplice also returned his share of the loot.
 

Prison sentence for main defendant
 
The court convicted both men of commercial fraud and forgery of documents. The ex-Ringier man was also found guilty of offenses against unemployment insurance. In contrast, they were acquitted of money laundering.
 
The main defendant received a partially conditional prison sentence of two and a half years. He is to serve six months of that. The marketing manager got off with a conditional prison sentence of 20 months.
 
The court did not accept the motive of existential fears of the main perpetrator. The accused had not stashed away the loot of over 800,000 francs, but had consumed it senselessly, said the chairman. He had spent up to 300'000 francs tax-free per year. (SDA)

One, by its size and quality, unique screen in Switzerland. 20 square meters in high definition, the first time such an advertising medium has been installed outdoors in Switzerland, according to a statement.

Number one in digital out-of-home display (DOOH), the French-speaking Swiss company - which has a branch in Zurich and an IT department in Lausanne - operates a thousand screens distributed throughout Switzerland. In numbers, this means more than 650 screens in Swiss shopping malls, over 60 at Geneva airport, 200 in retail outlets with the Coop Pronto brand and a hundred at Geneva's Palexpo exhibition center, which awarded the new digital display concession to Neo Advertising.

240 million customers per year

The screens managed by Neo Advertising, today reach 240 million customers annually. The success of this type of advertising lies primarily in its proximity to the potential consumer, its efficiency and its flexibility, which allow the advertiser to place its advertising where and when it wants and to change it at any time. This flexibility allows new forms of communication with the ability to adapt in real time the message according to the specific criteria of a campaign. The station of Anzère in Valais uses Neo Advertising's network of screens to automatically adapt its offers according to the weather; for the campaigns of the national lottery, they change automatically according to the amount of the jackpot.

Apart from the new types of communication offered by the public digital display, it is advisable to underline the exceptional effectiveness of this advertising medium. A recent campaign for Hiestand, a national manufacturer of bakery products in Coop Pronto points of sale, showed an increase in sales of 33 percent and 53 percent, for two products of the brand. Neo Advertising's performance is reflected by strong sales growth of about 30 percent in the first quarter of 2014. Neo Advertising now has 24 employees. Co-founded and managed by Christian Vaglio-Giors, who is also president of the Swiss umbrella organization IG DOOH, the company aims to expand its advertising space in the public sector this year.
 

According to the press release, the scope of the magazine will be expanded to include recipes and horoscopes, for example. With the expansion, the copy price will be raised from four to six francs. Jörg Tobuschat, Publishing Director and Member of the Executive Board at Axel Springer Switzerland: "The TV Star editorial team is now offering even broader coverage and is also introducing new sections in this context. With these changes, we are responding to the wishes of our readers, while at the same time strengthening our weekly premium title Tele, which in future will be the only Swiss-German television magazine to be published weekly."

In addition to TV STAR and Tele, Axel Springer Switzerland publishes the bi-weekly TV2 and the four-weekly TV Vier. In total, the titles have a circulation of 304,046 copies and a reach of 707,000 readers (source: Wemf 2013).
 

True to the motto "Simply enjoy", FBM Communications has developed the new communicative appearance of the Restaurants Schifflände in Maur. The agency is responsible for the high-quality image brochure and the design of the new website. Friends of the Schifflände restaurant were also able to play a communicative role in the redesign. For example, amateur photographers were able to send in photos of the Greifensee region as part of a competition launched by FBM Communications. And the winning photos now adorn a large black and white wall in the Schifflände. Managing Director Martin Stierli is delighted with the positive feedback from his guests: "Both regulars and new guests have been nothing but positive about the new Schifflände. And what is more important to a host than making his guests feel at home?"

Responsible at FBM Communications: Carmen Schiltknecht (CD, consulting & text), Renate Nusser, Marianne Kieser (design concept & graphics), Remo Burkart (order processing), Webvirus (programming).
 

The turnover of the digital division increased by 62.3 percent to CHF 233.3 million, as Tamedia announced on Thursday. The takeovers of services such as Starticket, Jobs.ch and Fashionfriends made a significant contribution to this. Around a quarter of digital sales were generated in the publishing context. Overall, the Group increased its turnover by 5 percent to 1.069 billion Swiss francs. Revenues in the print business fell, mainly due to declining advertising income. The profitability of the printed newspapers and magazines also declined: operating income (EBITDA) in the regional print business was 12.2 percent lower than in the previous year at CHF 80.9 million, while the national print business was even 38.5 percent lower at CHF 59.5 million. The digital business was also unable to compensate for this slump, although the operating profit there increased almost fivefold and, at CHF 56.7 million, is now almost as high as in the national print business. Across the Group as a whole, operating profit fell by 0.7 percent to CHF 197.1 million. Net profit fell by 14.4 percent to 119.1 million francs.

Metered paywall from March 31

On Thursday, Tamedia announced the date on which the paywall will be raised on the Newsnet news platform. The paywall will be introduced on March 31 during the afternoon. The publisher is relying on the "metered model". With this model, a certain number of articles are free of charge. In the case of the Newsnet network, which includes the online presences of Tages-Anzeiger and Berner Zeitung, ten to 15 texts are expected to be free to read. This means that the Tamedia paywall corresponds in its basic features to that of the Neue Zürcher Zeitung. However, as Tamedia CEO Christoph Tonini explained to the media on Thursday, the paywall will be designed differently in the various editorial offices. For example, it is possible for a local newspaper to charge for all of its own services. The model will be adapted on an ongoing basis, depending on how the advertising market and readers react. By raising the paywall, Tamedia is introducing five different subscriptions that cost between 23 and 69 francs per month. At the same time, the news platform and app will be given a new layout. Tamedia is investing CHF 3 million in the paywall technology (SDA/hae).
 

Key figures	2013	2012	Change
	CHF	in CHF million	in %
Tamedia Group
Operating income	1 069.1	1 018.0	5.0
Operating result before depreciation and amortization (EBITDA)	197.1	198.5	-0.7
Margin (in %)	18.4	19.5	-5.5
Operating result (EBIT)	127.7	138.9	-8.1
Margin (in %)	11.9	13.6	-12.5
Result	119.1	139.1	-14.4
Earnings per share (in CHF)	10.68	13.33	-19.8
Dividend per share (in CHF)	4.001	4.50	-11.1
Cash flow from operating activities	185.1	190.3	-2.7
Balance sheet total	2 176.6	2 063.4	5.5
2	64.5	58.1	11.0
Print Regional
Turnover (operating income)	521.2	540.3	-3.3
thereof intersegment	59.1	62.5	-5.4
EBITDA	80.9	92.1	-12.2
3	15.5	17.0	-
Print National
Turnover (operating income)	376.7	397.5	-5.7
thereof intersegment	2.6	0.7	253.1
EBITDA	59.5	96.7	-38.5
3	15.8	24.3	-
Digital
Turnover (operating income)	233.3	143.9	62.3
thereof intersegment	0.4	0.3	20.5
EBITDA	56.7	9.7	486.3
3	24.3	6.7	-
4	3 382	3 351	0.9

 

According to the 2013 Statistical Yearbook of the City of Zurich, 48.3 percent of Zurich households no longer own a car. One reason for this is the well-developed public transport system in Zurich, which is encouraging more and more people to switch to streetcars and buses. Ruf Lanz uses this theme in a surprising way as part of the popular VBZ campaign. On the one hand with the TV and cinema spot "Ehering". The e-board version of this work has just won gold in the "Digital Out of Home" category of the Swiss Poster Award.

On the other hand, a new print and poster campaign shows that you can get very far without a car in your garage - for example, by founding a company in it. Because with Google, Apple, Hewlett-Packard and Walt Disney, four global companies once started out in a garage. The motif shows the original founding garages. And because there are now so many empty garages in Zurich for visionary inventors, the next Steve Jobs should actually be a Zurich native...

Subject large

Responsible at VBZ: Heinz Vögeli (Head of Corporate Communications). Responsible at Ruf Lanz: Markus Ruf, Danielle Lanz (Creative Direction), Marcel Schläfle, Mario Moosbrugger (Art Direction), Markus Ruf (Text), Nathalie Jakober, Christian Brütsch (Consulting). Production: Stories, Director: Gianni Pisano.