"Cheers election time!" was the message in 41 million German letterboxes on September 21. The special edition of Bild, which was distributed free of charge to all households on the day before the Bundestag elections, was probably the most elaborate election recommendation in recent history. Even more surprising than the large-scale campaign itself was the fact that it did not promote this or that party, but rather the exercise of the most important fundamental democratic right. "Go vote", the editor-in-chief implored his fellow citizens. First-time voters and former chancellors supported his call. And indeed, after years of declining voter turnout, this key figure for the legitimacy of democratic governments rose again, by 4 percent to an impressive 73 percent. Whether and how much the Springer Group contributed to this with its "Wahl-Bild" was and is the subject of lively debate.

But of course, the question of the socio-political effectiveness of journalism and its measurability is almost as old as the industry itself. Do the media just hold up a mirror to us or does their work bring about concrete changes or a general shift in values? Against the backdrop of the press crisis, quality debate and loss of credibility, this - and not the business model - is the real crux of the matter for a profession in trouble. However, commercial publishers and critical media politicians are (still) less concerned about this issue than the financiers of investigative non-profit journalism. In contrast to their profit-oriented colleagues, patrons of investigative online journalism are only interested in advertising-relevant reach or zeitgeisty likes and shares in social networks as a quantitative means to a qualitative end: uncovering grievances and initiating reforms.

For the leading US foundation Pro Publica, even Pulitzer Prizes are not decisive proof of success. The 40-strong "Newsroom for Journalism in the Public Interest" has already won two, but they are not mentioned in its recently published study "Issues on Impact". The thesis paper provides definitions of impact broken down by media type, describes reach as a necessary but by no means sufficient prerequisite for impact and distinguishes between advocacy and investigative journalism ("The first type already presupposes the right answers, which the second type still has to find by asking the right questions"). However, Pro Publica has not yet found THE measure to measure the social, political or legal effects of its stories. But that doesn't stop the avant-gardists from New York from continuing to search for this holy grail of democracy-relevant journalism.

And here in Switzerland? Even in the yearbook by quality guru Kurt Imhof, there is no indication of any correlation between the notoriously low voter turnout and the lack of politicizing effect of Swiss journalism. Yet active participation in the democratic process is probably the only objective measure of the media's overarching impact. A further indication of the sector's growing need for legitimacy is the unbroken hostility to reform in the Alpine republic.

So it's high time for a nationwide free edition from Ringier or Tamedia for the parliamentary elections in the fall of 2015. However, the founding of a Swiss pro-publica equivalent would be far more effective and sustainable. There would actually be enough innovative money and investigative spirit between the Rhine and Rhone ...

Oliver Classen is media spokesman for the development policy organization Berne Declaration. Previously, he worked as a media journalist.
 

The Trend Report notes a 2.3 percent increase in SEA budgets across all industries. For the second time this year, the automotive industry recorded the strongest increase (14.5 percent). Also seeing a significant increase in SEA budgets is retail. (12 percent). Consumer electronics is the only industry to lose in September, and that by 5 percent.

This month's focus topic analyzes which advertisers were ahead in SEA around the terms of glasses, contact lenses & co. Visilab.ch was clearly the best positioned and was the only retailer in the top 10 that, in addition to its online store, also operates a branch network under the same brand.

Media Focus SEM Trend Report No. 8/2013 (PDF).

The task is to write an obituary for Paul Gredinger. We thought about it: nobody can write an obituary for Paul Gredinger more authentically than Paul Gredinger. The solution: We publish Paul's original statements one-to-one, published in the 365-page GGKalender 1992, among others. He might find anything else too pretentious.

Obituary Paul Gredinger (PDF)

Late in the afternoon of October 9, 2013, it became known that the two main shareholders Ringier and Tamedia were putting Le Temps up for sale (Werbewoche.ch reported). Imprint, the largest journalists' association in Switzerland, is concerned about the future of the newspaper, and in particular about the quality, editorial independence and diversity of the media in French-speaking Switzerland, and about jobs, according to a statement on Wednesday.

All takeover scenarios are currently possible. Le Temps is one of the cornerstones of media quality and diversity in French-speaking Switzerland. Imprint is particularly dismayed by the "unusual procedure of publicly putting a company up for sale. Imprint deplores the uncertainty provoked by this procedure of indefinite duration. The association hopes that Le Temps will find a new sponsor that is anchored in the media.

At the request of Parliament, the Federal Council has comprehensively outlined the legal challenges in connection with social networks on the internet in a 90-page report. On Wednesday, the government decided to tackle the individual legal loopholes identified over the next few years, as announced by the Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC). However, the Federal Council is in no hurry. In principle, it believes that the rules of the analog age can be transferred to the digital age. Offensive comments on blogs can be prosecuted, criminal acts such as hardcore pornography are also prohibited on the Internet and the Data Protection Act sets guidelines for the handling of user data. However, practice puts these findings into perspective: The Federal Council states that it is uncertain whether private individuals will be able to enforce their legal claims against social networks. "Even the existence of a legally binding ruling by a Swiss court does not guarantee that it will be enforced abroad."

Free - but not free of charge

The Federal Council identifies fundamental problems with data protection. These are the same issues that repeatedly lead to discussions at European level: For example, the fact that many users lack awareness of what happens to their data. Social networks offer their services free of charge and earn their money by selling users' personal data. Other topics include the lack of user control over their data, the right to be forgotten on the non-forgetting Internet, facial recognition software, the creation of personality profiles and the transfer of user data from one social network to another.

Waiver of specific social media rules

According to the Federal Council, a working group dealing with the revision of the Data Protection Act is looking into whether there is a need to regulate such issues. The Federal Department of Justice and Police (FDJP) is to submit proposals to the Federal Council by the end of 2014. The government cites the obligation to have "data protection-friendly" default settings as an example of a possible regulation. This means that a platform should set restrictive options by default. Users should not have to search for and set these themselves. However, the Federal Council is already warning against over-regulation. As the internet is changing rapidly, premature action could lead to unintended effects. It also wants to keep an eye on international developments, as most communications are cross-border.

Liability of blog providers

The Federal Council wants to tackle the liability regulations for internet providers. It is thus reacting to a ruling by the Federal Supreme Court, which had to judge the case of a blog on the website of the Geneva daily newspaper Tribune de Genève. The court ruled that the newspaper must assume liability for posts on the blog that violate personal rights. This was met with criticism, as such liability is excluded or regulated more restrictively in the EU. However, the Federal Council has left open the direction in which the civil liability of internet providers or operators of social media platforms should be regulated.

No special law

While it wants to clarify many open questions in more detail, the Federal Council has clearly rejected a special social media law. Viola Amherd (CVP/VS), whose postulate triggered the report, brought such a law into play. She compared social media with radio and television, for which a law exists. In the view of the Federal Council, the same need does not exist for social media. (SDA)

Image: hae/wewo
 

Culinarium opts for Dachcom

The supporting association Culinarium was founded in 2000 by representatives from agriculture, gastronomy and trade in order to network the three sectors in the best possible way. Today, Culinarium is an important platform where suppliers and consumers from Eastern Switzerland can find each other. In addition to information and networking opportunities, the association offers comprehensive marketing services. Due to a competitive presentation, the supporting association Culinarium has decided to cooperate with Dachcom BSW. Dachcom will further develop the strategy and branding and also realize the end-user campaign 2014.

Hertz Switzerland parks with Publicis

The internationally active car rental company Hertz is now relying on the services of Publicis to promote its Swiss customer loyalty program, including a discount card. The team from Stadelhoferstrasse was able to prevail over the previous agency and will take over all related communication measures with immediate effect. The first results of this collaboration will be on display from the end of October.

EgoKiefer has checked in with the agency at the airport

EgoKiefer, the Swiss number one for windows and doors, has engaged the airport agency for the trade fair communication of its appearance at Swissbau after a one-stage evaluation process. The first measures will soon be on display.

Zurich Tokyo: SBB acquired as new customer

Zürich Tokio was selected as the future design agency for SBB's brand management after a multi-stage pitch process involving more than a dozen agencies. According to Lukas Staudenmann, Head of Corporate Identity, the decisive factor was not only Zürich Tokio's wide-ranging offering, but also its differentiated understanding and high quality of design in the various disciplines. Zürich Tokio is to act as the lead agency for corporate design/creative design, both in terms of consulting and implementation, and will support SBB in becoming one of Switzerland's top companies in terms of customer satisfaction by 2016. Daniel Donati, Creative Director of ZürichTokio is thrilled: "Working for such a traditional Swiss company as SBB gives us great pleasure - what more could an agency ask for?"

Adam&Adam wins Rselection-Travel in Style as new customer

Adam&Adam, the agency from the Zurich Binz, communicate new for the exclusive travel concierge service, Rselection. One of the first tasks was the conception and realization of the entire corporate design with the distinctive stamped "R" as logo. In addition, Adam&Adam is responsible for the web design, which is reminiscent of a travel blog. The realization of the Webpage as well as the mobile version was realized in close cooperation with iBrows.

The production was created in collaboration with Leguan Productions. The first TV commercial focuses on the newly opened Team 7 store, which is integrated into the first floor of the furniture center with an area of 600 square meters - making it the largest Team 7 store in Switzerland. According to the press release, the second TV commercial focuses on the large selection of designer and brand furniture. In addition, both TV commercials are intended to draw viewers' attention to the discount weeks at the furniture center until the end of October.

Responsible at Möbelzentrum Volketswil: Bruno Vogt (CEO). Responsible at FBM Communications: Carmen Schiltknecht (CD & consulting), Julia Trunkwalter (order processing).
 

Dinosaur expert Dr. Siber's dinosaur museum is an institution in the Zurich Oberland - the exhibition has been attracting children and parents to Aathal for over 20 years. At the beginning of the fall vacations, the dinosaur museum is now drawing attention to itself with a campaign.

To this end, the Wirz Werbung agency created an exciting experience for young dinosaur fans: dinosaur bones were buried in playgrounds in Zurich and Winterthur at night and in the fog so that young explorers could find them again. The dinosaur bones are exact replicas of a tail vertebra or forearm bone of a long-necked dinosaur (Diplodocus). Anyone who comes across one of the dinosaur bones will read "Fancy a real adventure?" on the attached label and the invitation to come to the Aathal Dinosaur Museum. After the experience in the playground, the children can go straight to the next dinosaur adventure there. Anyone who brings their find to the Aathal Dinosaur Museum can win free entry for the whole family and take part in other prize draws, such as a "Dino Pyjama Party", an overnight event at the dinosaur museum.

In cooperation with media partner 20 Minuten, the campaign was publicized with a detailed background report in the newspaper's online edition. The article also contains a large dinosaur knowledge quiz with real dinosaur teeth from the Aathal Dinosaur Museum as prizes.

Responsible at the Aathal Dinosaur Museum: Thomas Bolliger, Esther Wolfensberger. Responsible at Wirz Advertising: Philipp Skrabal (CD), Raul Serrat (AD), Marietta Mügge (text), Isabelle Bühler (graphics), Karin Krummenacher, Livia Wanner (consulting); Wirz Corporate, PR Thore Lingel; Streuplan, Basil Renz, Marco Schlatter.

 

Agefi shareholder Antoine Hubert told French-speaking Swiss radio station RTS that he had already discussed this possibility with major shareholder Alain Duménil, on the occasion of an analysis of Agefi's various strategic options. "Tamedia and Ringier know of our interest," Hubert said. So far, however, neither of the two Le Temps shareholders has shown itself open to talks. The Agefi media company publishes the business newspaper L'Agefi in western Switzerland.

According to the emeritus media scientist Roger Blum, the NZZ Group, the duo Tito Tettamanti and Christoph Blocher or the French Hersant Group could also be considered as buyers of Le Temps. Blum said this in an interview with the newspaper La Liberté on Wednesday. However, he also does not rule out a "mixed" solution - with one of the two current publishers as well as a private investor group.

Imprint worries about quality

The journalists' association Imprint hopes that Le Temps will find a new sponsor that is anchored in the media, as it announced on Wednesday (Werbewoche.ch reported). The association expressed particular dismay at the unusual procedure of publicly putting a company up for sale. This provokes uncertainty. Imprint is particularly concerned about the quality of the newspaper, the independence of its editorial staff, jobs and media diversity in French-speaking Switzerland.

Ringier and Tamedia had announced on Tuesday that they would be looking for a buyer for Le Temps by June 2014. If no convincing offer is received, both Ringier and Tamedia intend to consider buying each other's stake. Ringier and Tamedia each hold 46.2 percent of Le Temps. (SDA)

Please note our current survey on the topic!

The advertising market for daily newspapers fell by eleven percent in the first seven months of this year, says Arndt C. Groth, Managing Director of Publigroupe, Switzerland's largest advertising marketer, in an interview with Handelszeitung. The daily newspapers will also lose "a similar amount" in 2014. It does not help to be superficially optimistic. "There is no indication that things will get better - on the contrary." In day-to-day business, only the very local and regional newspapers are proving somewhat more resistant to change. In contrast, however, many weekly titles and Sunday newspapers have held up well, says Groth. "I am convinced that they have a future."

Publigroupe is also feeling the pain of media change. Groth has therefore given the Group a new strategy. "We are already seeing the first positive results of the strategy," says Groth. However, he had to announce a loss of CHF 9.5 million in the first half of 2013. Publicitas in particular, which had previously been primarily active in the publishing houses' advertising business, came under pressure. Publigroupe will cut a further 245 jobs in the "Media Sales" division by the first quarter of 2014. (SDA)

Image: Keystone

"Carrie", the first published work by Stephen King, was released in 1974 and helped John Travolta make his breakthrough in the first film adaptation two years later. A version was added to the list of remakes in 2013. The story is about 16-year-old Carrie, who has to experience growing up as hell under the delusions of her devout mother and only experiences scorn and ridicule at school. In her despair, Carrie discovers that she has telekinetic powers, which transform into superhuman strength under the shock of humiliation.

To boost interest in the new edition of the film, a hidden camera prank was staged in New York. In the knowledge that such jokes usually become viral hits within a very short time. Over 16 million views in just two days - the effort was probably worth it. (hae)
 

The Best of Swiss Apps team would like to thank all participants in a press release. From October 14-18, the expert jury will meet and evaluate the submitted apps. At the end of the judging process, these evaluations result in a shortlist on which all projects are represented that can legitimately hope for an award. The shortlist will be published on October 23 in the new issue of Netzwoche (media partner), on Bestofswissapps.ch and of course published on Werbewoche.ch (media partner).

At the same time (from October 23), ticket sales will begin for the festive Award Night on November 20 at the Aura in Zurich. Those participants who automatically purchased a ticket with their registration will receive a link to order. All further information on the shortlist and ticket sales will be available in due time on the website Bestofswissapps.ch