The Group Managing Directors of the Funke Group are Manfred Braun, Thomas Ziegler and Christian Nienhaus. This was reported by Turi2.de on Thursday. Waz editor-in-chief Ulrich Reitz has already greeted Kall in his own paper: Kall is friendly, balanced and tough as nails. At his last employer, Tamedia, Kall had "unhesitatingly" parted with all divisions "that did not make a profit or no longer promised one". And: "He parted with quite a few print editors in order to hire many new online editors." Kall relied on "tabloid-like free online offerings" and high-quality journalistic content behind a paywall.
 

In addition, he wants to be journalistically independent to pursue his future plans, Hummler wrote in a communiqué on Thursday. Hummler's term of office would have lasted until 2015. Two months ago, NZZ Board Chairman Franz Steinegger had said that Konrad Hummler would not be asked to resign because of the million-dollar fine imposed by Bank Wegelin. Now Hummler has submitted his resignation for the next general meeting on April 13.

Until February 2012, Hummler was Chairman of the Board of Directors. However, due to legal disputes, he handed over this office to former FDP National Council member Steinegger. In April, Galenica Chairman of the Board Etienne Jornod is expected to take the helm. (SDA)
 

The agency currently employs six people. The three founders want to pursue brand consulting approaches with the new agency. The area of activity includes the development of brand strategy fundamentals, the transfer of this strategy to communication, design and interaction, implementation through guidelines, coaching and monitoring as well as the realization of formative applications.

The agency wants to break new ground with a combination of rigorous analytical thinking, imagination and bold ideas, according to a statement from the founders. True to the motto: less brand management - more brand design.

The Federal Social Insurance Office (FSIO) announced that for the first time there is now a complete overview of youth media protection in Switzerland. On the internet platform Youthandmedia.ch Around 600 advisory services and awareness-raising measures have been bundled in the network. The "peer education" approach in particular is seen as promising. Learning from peers has already proven its worth in other areas of prevention, FSIO representatives told the media in Bern, according to a press release. Over the next few months, eight model projects in the area of youth media protection will be implemented throughout Switzerland.

Until 2015

The FSIO also sees the networking of relevant stakeholders at national level as a success. Cantons, federal authorities, universities of applied sciences, children's, youth and family organizations, teachers' associations and police services now work closely together in program committees. The communications industry is also involved. For example, Swisscom, the computer games industry association (SIEA) and the Jacobs Foundation are program partners. The program to promote media literacy will run until 2015. At the second national specialist forum on youth media protection in Bern, the FSIO took stock of the four-year program.

However, cyberbullying is overestimated in public perception - at least this is the conclusion of two studies published on Wednesday by the Thurgau University of Teacher Education and the Universities of Bern and Zurich. According to the study, the phenomenon of cyberbullying occurs around three times less frequently than bullying in the real world. (SDA)

Teaser image: Jugendundmedien.ch
 

This compilation of national news stories isn't exactly well-chosen. It's all too easy to draw a connection between the two stories: processed meats increase the risk of dying from cardiovascular disease. And Bignasca's cause of death is believed to have been cardiac arrest.

However, this slip-up on 20minuten.ch was quickly corrected. After all, no one wants to offend anyone—at least not unintentionally. The caption accompanying the report on Bignasca’s death reads: “The dwarf who liked coke and porn.” (uma)

The principle of gender equality has been enshrined in the Swiss Federal Constitution since 1981. Despite the 32-year legal obligation, the pay gap between men and women in Switzerland is still striking. Women earn around 20 percent less than men for the same education, performance and position. This is a problem that is not limited to the wage gap alone, but also extends to the lack of pension fund contributions.

According to the agency, the majority of male decision-makers in our country are still doing little to combat this discrimination. That's why, on behalf of the Zurich Women's Center, they conducted an experiment that was - in principle - fair, but which seemed pretty unfair to men: on March 7, the International Day of Action for Equal Pay, they turned the tables and ensured justice in the place that hurts men the most: ATMs.

When they were only paid out 80 percent of the amount they wanted to withdraw, their reactions ranged from shaking their heads to horror. However, the receipt that the ATM spat out at the end quickly put an end to the experiment: On International Equal Pay Day, the stronger sex was to experience for once what financial discrimination feels like, according to the agency.

Responsible at Frauenzentrale Zürich: Andrea Gisler (President), Sandra Plaza (Communication & Marketing). Responsible at Publicis: Roger Rüegger, Ralph Halder, Lars Bloechlinger (Creative Directors), Conny Jaeger (Senior Art Director), Ivan Madeo (Text Concept), Barbara Lagger (Consulting), Beni Kaegi (FFF).

Despite swiftly implemented measures, the sharp decline in print advertising sales could only be partially compensated for in expenses and was reflected accordingly in the operating result. This was stated by the NZZ Media Group in a press release on Thursday. In addition, the structural change in the media sector required increased expenditure for the digital transformation of existing products and the development of new offerings.

The operating result EBIT decreased by 14.6 million Swiss francs to 37.9 million Swiss francs compared to the previous year. The EBIT margin of 7.3 percent was in line with long-term expectations, the statement added. With a significantly improved financial result, the Group posted a profit of 30.9 million Swiss francs. This is CHF 6.0 million less than in the previous year. The Board of Directors proposes to the Annual General Meeting that a dividend of 200 Swiss francs per share be paid for the 2012 financial year, unchanged from the previous year.

Total operating income decreased by 1.6 percent year-on-year to CHF 519.0 million. The decline was mainly due to falling revenues in the print web market. By contrast, revenues in the digital advertising market developed positively, with the growing online sector and regional radio stations in particular recording encouraging revenue growth, according to the NZZ release. Continued stable revenues were achieved in the reader market. Despite additional orders, slightly lower revenues were generated in the printing sector, which is characterized by production overcapacity. Other income increased by 17 percent compared to the previous year, mainly due to acquisitions. Total operating expenses increased by 1.3 percent to 481.0 million Swiss francs. The increase was mainly due to the integrations of the SEF Group and an operating unit in the calendar sector, as well as the accelerated expansion of the online division and publishing services, the statement said. The NZZ Media Group has a healthy balance sheet structure with a high equity ratio of 70 percent (+1 percentage point compared to the previous year).

The change in media usage and the changes in the advertising market will continue to occupy the NZZ Media Group in the 2013 financial year, the NZZ continued in its press release. The NZZ Media Group responded quickly to the growing demand for digital content and introduced corresponding offers, such as the paywall for online content. With the targeted further development of its core business, the consistent implementation of its digital strategy and, in particular, the development of new business areas, NZZ Media Group intends to meet the challenges.

New members of the Board of Directors proposed

In addition to the Chairman of the Board of Directors Franz Steinegger, the members of the Board of Directors Jens Alder and Konrad Hummler (Werbewoche.ch reported) will retire from the Board. Four new members will be proposed for election to the Board of Directors at the Annual General Meeting of the AG für die Neue Zürcher Zeitung. Franz Steinegger will reach the statutory age limit and retire from the Board. As already announced, the Board of Directors proposes the following as his successor Etienne Jornodexecutive Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Galenica Group. Subject to his election by the Annual General Meeting, the appointment of Etienne Jornod as Chairman will be made by the Board of Directors in accordance with the Articles of Association.

The current members of the Board of Directors, Jens Alder and Konrad Hummler, have announced their resignation at the Annual General Meeting. The Board of Directors proposes, in addition to the associated replacement elections, to fill the seat on the Board of Directors that has been vacant for some time. The Board of Directors of the AG für die Neue Zürcher Zeitung currently comprises 8 members; the Articles of Association provide for 7 to 9 members. In addition to Etienne Jornod, the following are proposed for election to the Board of Directors of the AG für die Neue Zürcher Zeitung: Isabelle Welton, Group Chief Marketing Officer of Zurich Insurance Group, Christoph Schmid, attorney at law in Zurich and partner of the law firm Wenger & Vieli, Dominique von Matt, majority shareholder and CEO of the communications agency Jung von Matt/Limmat.
 

Riklin blamed the indiscretion on Christoph Mörgeli (SVP/ZH) and Peter Keller (SVP/NW), who are members of the Committee for Science, Education and Culture (WBK) and write for Weltwoche. Apparently they forwarded their information directly to Weltwoche, said Riklin. Referring to the secrecy of the Commission, she asked the Council to take action in this matter. She spoke as WBK spokesperson in the debate on the "Coordinated Energy Research Switzerland" action plan.

Mörgeli's counterattack

Mörgeli rejects the accusation, which he himself had not heard in the Council, as he told the SDA news agency when asked. "The accusation is outrageous, untenable and should be substantiated." He went on the counter-attack: the attack was in line with other hostilities by Riklin against him. The CVP National Councillor had already contributed to his dismissal from the University of Zurich. She had also played a part when the "Mörgeli-Mengele affair" from a committee meeting became public in 2008, said Mörgeli. Riklin - like Mörgeli - was reprimanded by the National Council for indiscretions in this context.

Keller did not wish to comment on the statements. As he had not yet read Weltwoche, he could not comment on the content, he said. Furthermore, he saw no reason and had no desire to bring a personal feud into the council chamber.

Statements on the energy transition

The current issue of Weltwoche reports that the WBK discussed last week how the energy transition decided by the Federal Council could be given a scientific boost. Riklin said that the change must also take place in people's minds. It is therefore important to strengthen behavioral economics. In the past, such attempts to influence citizens' thinking were called "brainwashing", the newspaper comments. (SDA)
 

In 2011, Swisscom launched special courses to promote media literacy among high school students. Last year alone, over 12,000 pupils were trained in the correct use of media. An external evaluation commissioned by Swisscom shows: The courses are having an effect. Pupils are becoming aware of the dangers and are changing their media consumption, according to a press release. Around half of the students surveyed chose better passwords after the course. Furthermore, 74 percent of the young people surveyed are aware of the official authorities for cyberbullying and the young people learn how to assert their personal rights. The general interest in the topics and awareness of their own media use increased significantly during the course.

The study was conducted by the Valais University of Applied Sciences in Brig under the responsibility of Per Bergamin. Per Bergamin says: "The courses have a visible and positive effect. The results show that students are more aware of dangers after a course." Further details on the study will be presented at the Federal Social Insurance Office's Media Literacy Forum on March 7 in Bern and then published at Swisscom.ch/media-courses published.

Expansion of media courses

Swisscom is expanding its range of media literacy courses for schoolchildren so that fourth to sixth grade students can learn how to use new media responsibly. In the new modules "Media consumption", "Surfing the net", "Community" and "Internet applications", the company is now also supporting teachers in teaching media skills to middle school pupils. The course content was developed together with the Lernetz agency and a working group of primary school teachers. "Many teachers would like media education not to start at upper school level, as incorrect patterns of behavior very often become established at an earlier stage," says Martin Zünd, program manager at Swisscom.

SBB's communications department probably spends most of its time dealing with tedious media inquiries and complaints. Constant price surcharges, overcrowded trains, defective toilets, canceled intermediate stops, wages in line with the market for the executive suite, slow Internet connections, insidious mobile tickets - when the public talks about the Swiss Federal Railways, it is usually annoyance that leads the word. The most positive media media of late: nice new wallpaper on nice new toilets. But even then, society still has something to grumble about ("New wallpaper, old problems").

How SBB envisions the ideal customer relationship can be seen at the SBB Blog. Under the heading "Doctor railroad nonsense"friendly experts answer customer questions that are reminiscent of the shining eyes of children in the last century. Back when train drivers were idolized like pilots and second class was reserved for the better-off. Some examples:

Dear Doctor Rail Nonsense
Is it true that the SBB logo is celebrating its 40th birthday this year?
Thank you and greetings,
Tobias

Dear Doctor Rail Nonsense
What are station sponsors? Do they give birthday presents or Christmas cards for stations?
Love greetings
Felix

It makes you want to ask the doctor a question, too. For example: "Something I've been dying to know for a long time: How does SBB always manage to be so punctual?". Or: "The ticket prices are so low and fair - surely there must be a catch somewhere?". Or: "Even at rush hour, as a paying customer you can always find a comfortable seat with enough legroom - is that magic or is there a sophisticated organization behind it?". Or: "The air in packed trains is always as fresh as a spring meadow - even when Asia Take Away meets Mc Donalds and the neighbor is sweating. Hand on heart: what kind of ventilation is installed in SBB trains?"

Unfortunately, it is not quite clear how to contact Doktor Bahnsinn at all. Although Felix, Karl, Stefan, Silvia, Ursula, Vera and many others have done it. (hae)
 

The new logo is intended to express the merger of the two teams into a convergent editorial team, according to a statement on Wednesday. In the future, the 20 Minuten brand will no longer distinguish between commuter newspaper and news platform, but will now be applied uniformly. In addition, the further development of the brand signals the step into the digital future without changing the core values of 20 Minuten. The number "20" and the white font on a blue background will continue to dominate the logo in the future. The font of "Minuten" will be modernized and the logo as a whole will be given a three-dimensional look. The logo, designed by Rod Kommunikation, will be introduced at the beginning of May.

20 Minuten is taking another step into the future with its move to new office premises. A modern newsroom is currently being built at Stauffacherquai 8 in Zurich, on the premises of the Tamedia media group, to which 20 Minuten belongs. The new infrastructure will allow 20 Minuten's editorial team to work in a fully convergent way from mid-June.

While the majority of successful social TV offerings have so far come from the USA, where the topic has been hotly debated for some time, Zurich-based start-up Filmwords is now launching an app geared towards the local TV market, as detailed in a press release. Zwap TV is a second screen app that is typically used at home on the sofa while the TV set - the first screen - is on.

The app is first and foremost a social TV guide: you follow people - be they actual friends or simply users with interesting TV tastes - and get to know new programs and people. If you feel like it, you can chat with others during a program. In the TV academy, you can collect points and progress from student to professor - what the points are good for is revealed during the course of use. Zwap TV has no intention of becoming a TV stream provider itself. If the user wants to make the second screen the first screen, they can switch to Teleboy, for example, and continue to use familiar social TV services and the same community seamlessly.

Thanks to its collaboration with third-party providers - Teleboy is the first in a series of partners - Zwap TV connects TV viewers from different platforms. This is one of the advantages over other social TV offerings. The app is to be expanded in rapid steps, with at least one new feature promised per month. Zwap.TV is now available free of charge for the iPhone in the App Store apps for iPad and Android will be available shortly.