In September 2012, the Tages-Anzeiger reported that Ringier wanted to sell Népszabadság, the only quality newspaper in the Hungarian portfolio (Werbewoche.ch reported). This announcement was explosive because it is the only newspaper that is not close to the politics of the ruling party Fidesz, but is considered the mouthpiece of the socialist opposition. As the Tages-Anzeiger writes in Tuesday's edition, Ringier is not selling, but rather increasing the newspaper's capital by around three million francs. Ringier holds about 70 percent of the crisis-ridden title, while the rest belongs to the "Foundation for a Free Press." While pro-government newspapers in Hungary are "rewarded" by advertisements from state institutions, the Ringier paper's advertising revenues have fallen dramatically.

Since Ringier does not comment on business relationships as a matter of principle, the background to the planned but not executed sale is unknown. The reasons for the failed sale can only be conjectured. On the one hand, the Tages-Anzeiger sees the possibility that the "Foundation for a Free Press" was unable to raise the financial means to take over the remaining shares. On the other hand, a feared loss of image is also listed as a possible reason: When Ringier sold another large liberal daily newspaper a few years ago, it ultimately ended up in nationalist hands and today serves as a platform for racist and anti-Semitic commentary.
 

Now the winner has been determined: Over 21 percent of all participants, and thus the overwhelming majority, chose Maurice Gajda over all other 25 candidates. Until yesterday at 11:59 p.m., users were able to determine the first German Joiz presenter in online voting (Werbewoche.ch reported). Maurice Gajda has now been offered a presenter contract by Joiz. The 29-year-old native of Magdeburg is a self-confessed music fan and has been a presenter at Radio Fritz since 2008. Now he's taking the step in front of the camera: as the first presenter on the social TV station Joiz, which will start broadcasting in Germany in summer 2013.

"I'm very excited about the opportunity to be part of the Joiz launch. Social TV doesn't exist in Germany yet. It sounds extremely exciting," says winner Maurice Gajda enthusiastically, adding: "I grew up with music TV and the many guys on the colorful TV sofas, so it was already considered spectacular to send a fax to the show. Direct interaction with viewers is particularly appealing to me; today, you can have a say in entire shows via Facebook, Skype and Twitter."

Alexander Mazzara, CEO of Joiz, explains: "With Maurice, we have now found our first German face. His experience as a presenter will certainly help him to quickly gain a foothold in front of the camera. Other talents will now be invited by our expert jury to a final round in Berlin. There, we'll decide by mid-April who will complete the German team of presenters when Joiz starts broadcasting in the summer."

The Rau agency was commissioned by its client Kuoni Mueller & Partner to create the overall advertising concept including naming and claim. Website and various marketing tools are to support the letting of the apartments, the office space and the retail area on the first floor.

Responsible at Rau Advertising Agency: Richard Rau (creative direction), Andreas Konrad (art direction), Mauro Dimitri (consulting), Oliver Rau (overall responsibility).

The lead pages in the BLKB Annual Report 2012 show five diaries. They document the public election campaign that BLKB ran in the fall under the motto "Dream Team 2012". Five customers and their advisor competed to win votes as a team with a convincing concept. Their joint story is documented in pictures and text. The concept is intended to reflect the bank's new mission statement and bring it to life for internal and external target groups, the agency said in a statement.

In addition to the print edition, the annual report is also available as a tablet version for iPad and Android. In addition to the usual information, it contains videos, interviews and links to further information.

Responsible at Basellandschaftliche Kantonalbank: Remo Ponti, Nadja Widmer (overall responsibility). Responsible at BSSM Werbeagentur, Basel: Claudia Paganini (consulting), Urs Schneider (CD), Hannes Müller (concept/text), Pascal Rehmann (AD), Sybille Cueni (graphics/typography), Daniel Bard (tablet). Photography: Derek Li Wan Po (Eugen Leu & Partner). Editorial system: Multimedia Solutions.

The heart of the campaign is the sweepstakes "Countdown". Under time pressure, participants have to prove their knowledge of Audi. With each correct answer, they get a little closer to the goal of getting the ticker down to zero. Three participants will win a new Audi A1 Sportback admired.

Exxtra developed the game for participation on mobile devices and on the PC. TV spots with Shazam activation, advertisements and POS advertising media with QR code and online and mobile banners bring recipients directly to the game. Promotions at Audi dealers, cards for free and other measures round off the campaign.

Responsible at Audi: Erich Hunold (Head of Marketing Audi), Barbara Wernli (Head of Advertising Audi), Stefanie Koch (Project Manager Audi Advertising). Responsible at Exxtra: Markus Gut (CCO) Daniel Bieri (ECD), Sandro Kümin and Dominik Siegrist (creation), Dieter Boller (text) Catherine Pearson (DTP), Susan Baumgartner, Donat Grimm and Viviane Kessler (consulting), Martin Frank (strategy), Oliver Läubli, Patrick Meier, Robert Seidl, Rigobert Mihle, Marcin Kolonko (development & programming), Mediacom (media), Wirz & Fraefel (postproduction).

To the banner

The hotel owner Tio Tikka came up with the idea. He wanted to use it for a bit of publicity, as the SDA writes. In the job description he posted, one of the hotel's 35 rooms is to be tested night after night. "I was expecting maybe a hundred applications," Tikka told the AFP news agency on Friday. But now he already has around 800 from all over the world - and the closing date for applications is not for another month.

According to SDA, Tikka has owned the Hotel Finn for two and a half years and has just had it extensively renovated. This is exactly what he wants to publicize with his test sleeper campaign. The overnight stay costs nothing for the actual test sleepers. There will even be a fee. However, the amount has not yet been determined. All they have to do in return is make entries on the hotel's blog.

Someone is buying blogger votes, you might think. After all, who would write a bad review about a gift? And if you do, it certainly won't be as bad as that of a disgruntled paying guest. At least they don't get paid on top of a free night's stay. (uma)

Renato Bolt, together with his team, is now responsible for newspaper reel and sheetfed printing sales. In addition, he is to expand services related to publishing services. Bolt was involved in the development and consolidation of Swissprinters' sales organization, according to the company. Most recently, he headed sales as head of sales and as a member of the strategic management team.

Roland Lustenberger, a member of the Executive Board, will assume responsibility for key customers in the role of Head of Print Support and will manage the Premedia Commercial and Newspaper department. He will also be responsible for driving forward the expansion of quality management and optimizing process handling at all stages of the value chain.

The claim is intended to sum up what Viva is all about, according to the agency: on the one hand, it offers banking services tailored to young customers, and on the other, a comprehensive range of additional services. For example, unlimited Universal Music streaming and discounted tickets to music and sporting events. In terms of positioning, the basic value of "freedom" is therefore the leitmotif that runs through the entire product appearance: The imagery, the design elements and the color scheme.

In addition, the "Viva Promo Bus" will be used this summer. A branded, colorful VW Bus T2 from the late 1960s, which will tour the festivals of Switzerland and also appear at crowd-pleasing events like Tonhalle Late, Balélec EPFL or Polyball Zurich.

On May 27, 2013, the new styles will be presented live at the Hair Days in Zurich under the motto "Couture Silhouettes".

Responsible at Dobi: Ivon Blazevic and Valerie Blatter. Responsible at Mountains and Hills: Lisa Linder (Consultant), Sven Kaufmann (Creative Director), Sven Bänziger (Photographer), Paul Merritt (Hairstylist), Max Delorme (Make-up Artist), Nadine Strittmatter (Model).

In an interview with Le Matin Dimanche, Lamunière explained that communication errors that lead to major misunderstandings must also be avoided. At the beginning of last week, it was announced that CHF 17.8 million would have to be saved over the next three years at the French-speaking Swiss titles Le Matin, 24 heures and Tribune de Genève (Werbewoche.ch reported).

In Lamunière's view, the strong reactions triggered by this announcement also had a positive effect. They showed the important role of newspapers as the social glue of society.

No long-term guarantees

After Tamedia CEO Christoph Tonini had already spoken out in favor of preserving the diversity of the press in Le Matin on Saturday (Werbewoche.ch reported), Lamunière also gives the all-clear. The image spread in recent days of a company that has succumbed to profit mania does not correspond to reality. There are no plans at Tamedia to close Le Matin. Everything is being done to ensure the survival of the title. However, a long-term guarantee cannot be given "if the economy continues to weaken". There will be no redundancies in 2013 and everything will be done to prevent or limit them.

Lamunière emphasized that the savings plans were unavoidable in view of the declining sales figures. It would be irresponsible not to create sufficient reserves to be able to invest in new business areas.

Pierre Lamunière sold the Edipresse titles to the Zurich publishing house in 2009. In an interview, he expressed his conviction that this sale was the right decision. Going it alone would have led to an even more difficult situation. The former Edipresse patron sits on the seven-member Tamedia Board of Directors - as one of two French-speaking members. (SDA)
 

The magazine is dedicated to one topic every month. In the spring issue, the editorial team gets to the bottom of customer behavior and consumption. According to the press release, the Folio customer card offers benefits such as a summer bonus on ad placements, advice and an exclusive service.

Without these special effects, SRG would not record a loss for 2012, assured Director General Roger de Weck in an interview with the Sonntagszeitung. SRG wants to set up the pension fund in a sustainable way "in a unique act of will and strength". In addition to lowering the technical interest rate, the pension fund is to be converted from a defined benefit plan to a defined contribution plan. This accounts for around a quarter of the total provision of more than 150 million francs, as SRG spokesman Daniel Steiner told the SDA news agency.

SRG employees will decide on the changeover in a ballot. Under the defined contribution plan, retirement benefits depend on the capital actually saved, while under the defined benefit plan they depend on the insured salary. The reduction in the technical interest rate means that more capital must be made available to cover pension benefits. SRG is planning this "huge homework" one year ahead of schedule - and entirely under its own steam. Unlike other public service companies, the federal government has never recapitalized SRG's pension fund, de Weck emphasized in the interview.

"Significant" losses in advertising spots

SRG will publish its figures for the 2012 financial statements on April 8. According to de Weck, the company has to accept "significant losses" in revenues from advertising spots - this after two boom years. But SRG had been prepared for this: "Costs remain under control."
Investments will be made in the properties, where there is a considerable need to catch up. And where possible, radio and television will be merged locally. In the future, SRF's entire cultural department will be stationed in Basel. In Lugano, the radio studio will move to the television studio. In Zurich, the Brunnenhof radio studio will be abandoned in the medium term in order to work convergently in the Leutschenbach studio. The management will also select new IT projects even more strictly and accompany their implementation "critically and agilely.

In 2011, SRG was back in the black for the first time in five years. It achieved a surplus of CHF 25.75 million. In the previous year (2010), there had been a loss of 12.3 million francs - on revenues of around 1.6 billion francs. (SDA)