"How do I keep my kids busy?" This question is probably on parents' minds more than ever at the moment. Fortunately, there's Topsy, the clever savings fox from UBS. For over 30 years, he has been helping children save money and arousing their curiosity with exciting and educational content.

The new campaign developed by Monami is all about the fascinating world of science. The children don't have to sit still, but are allowed to get hands-on, experiment and tinker in the style of a clever tinkerer.

The SimplyScience Foundation developed ten experiments that can be carried out at home by children aged 3 - 8 using the most common household materials. The experiments were prepared in the form of a multimedia content series that will be published at regular intervals until the end of the year on the Campaign website published by Topsy. In various videos and text-picture instructions, children slip into the role of scientists and convey important principles from chemistry, physics or biology in a playful way.

The educational content campaign focuses on raising awareness and consideration among parents and attracting new newsletter subscribers. It is rounded off by activating social media advertising, a competition, measures at the POS, and further online content from Topsy on the subject of tinkering and experimenting.

Because Netflix dominates the field of paid video streaming, Swiss telecom providers are increasingly focusing on integrating the US streaming service instead of their own offerings. 85 percent of the Swiss population uses at least one streaming service regularly.

The series and film portal Netflix is growing faster than any other streaming service. The American company recorded more than twice as many users at the beginning of 2020 as it did two years ago, according to a survey published on Wednesday by the Internet comparison service Moneyland. Two years ago, one in five respondents had said they used Netflix. Now it was at the time of origin of the study at the beginning of the year before the Corona crisis already about 45 percent.

"The Corona crisis is likely to further strengthen the streaming trend. The big providers will certainly gain more users during this time," Ralf Beyeler, telecom expert at Moneyland, told news agency AWP. "Anything else would be a surprise."

But the small providers would probably also tend to be able to maintain their customer shares or even gain customers. "People wouldn't be allowed out, and what do you do in the evening? You're in front of the TV or in front of the computer." Therefore, he said, streaming services are likely to be used by more people and more frequently.

Youtube used most often

Despite the rapid growth of Netflix, Youtube remains the frontrunner among streaming services. 65 percent of Swiss people watch videos on the platform. In the age group between 19 and 25, the figure is 83 percent, and among 50- to 74-year-olds, around half still use Youtube. In comparison, however, the use of YouTube has only increased by 4 percentage points over the last two years. The platform is therefore growing far less strongly than Netflix.

The high user figures for YouTube are mainly due to the free service. Only around 3 percent of respondents pay for a YouTube subscription. To watch Netflix, on the other hand, around 30 percent of survey participants pay a subscription fee. Another 10 percent said they use Netflix via friends' paid subscriptions. This makes Netflix the clear leader among paid services.

Unchallenged competition from Netflix

Swiss streaming providers cannot keep up with Netflix's superiority. According to the survey, Swisscom's streaming service came a distant second in terms of paid subscriptions. Just under 11 percent of respondents said they paid for Swisscom's streaming.

Just over 3 percent of the population pay a fee for UPC's streaming service, putting UPC in fourth place behind Apple. To stream videos on Sunrise, just under 2 percent of respondents pay a fee.

According to Beyeler, the telecom providers have recognized that they can hardly compete with Netflix with their own streaming services. Mainly because very few users would spend money on multiple streaming services at the same time. "When Netflix launched in Switzerland, there was a bit of a flurry of activity. Providers like UPC and Swisscom launched their own streaming services like Teleclub Play from Swisscom," Beyeler told news agency AWP.

However, these offerings are no longer the focus today, he said. Not only are they expensive to maintain, but they also don't meet customer needs, Beyeler said. That's because Netflix offers the content people want to watch, he said. "That's why there's a shift in thinking, providers are increasingly integrating streaming services like Netflix into their TV offerings instead of relying on their own streaming services."

Telecom providers react

This can be seen by taking a look at the offerings of Swiss telecom providers. Swisscom, for example, reacted to the success of streaming providers when expanding its TV offering and integrated them into the new operating system. Netflix, Sky and the sports streaming platform Dazn now appear on the Swisscom TV screens.

The cable network operators Quickline and UPC have also integrated the Netflix and YouTube offerings into the classic TV interface. At Salt, a Sky package can be booked in addition to TV.

Other providers are not deterred by the superiority of Netflix and Co. The media company CH Media, for example, is planning to offer its own streaming platform. The offerings of CH Media's stations, including 3+, for example, and other TV content are to be made available on a single platform. CH Media is also in talks with SRG, among others, for this. (SDA)

The payment industry is undergoing major change as a result of numerous new technologies, a large number of sometimes disruptive new business models, increasing internationalization and, increasingly, changes in customer behavior.

Against this backdrop, Swiss Bankers has been making consistent adjustments to its business model for several years and has focused its strategy on digitalization, mobility and international networking. With "Innovative payment solutions that simplify life and connect with the future", Swiss Bankers wants to position itself as a company that promises innovative payment solutions that simplify life and connect with the future.

Reflecting change in the new appearance

"The new appearance rounds off the transformation of Swiss Bankers from a former cheque issuer to a travel card provider and now a provider of innovative payment services. With our brand promise, we want to prove that we see the future as an opportunity, our past as a value and people at the center," says Hans-Jörg Widiger, CEO of Swiss Bankers.

Fresh and sharpened

The color red is also central to the new brand identity and is dominated by striking and accentuated branding. The letters W and I - abbreviated and in a graphic combination - stand for a mountain peak and the sun above it in reference to the Matterhorn, which plays an important role as a design element in the appearance. The card types now appear in fresh color combinations, whereby their appearance is also characterized by an abstract Matterhorn.

As part of the new branding, the names of the products were also changed:

• Travel Cash becomes Travel
• Mastercard Prepaid becomes Life
• The Prime Card becomes Prime
• Value Card becomes Value
• The My Card app is now called the Swiss Bankers app

Artificial intelligence is an important driver of digital change and is being used in more and more areas. "Citizens, consumers and employees should be informed as transparently as possible about the use of AI in their dealings with the state, companies or their employer," according to the study published on Wednesday.

For example, the use of AI systems should be made clear and easily recognizable so that those affected know that they are interacting with an AI system and not with a human being.

Human testing necessary

The authors also write that important decisions that affect people should not be left to an AI system without weighing up the pros and cons. When it comes to personal issues, the result of the system usually has to be checked and justified by a human.

In contrast to conventional computers, many AI systems are able to recognize hidden regularities and suggest solutions thanks to training on large data sets. Advanced AI systems can also perform tasks that are currently the responsibility of well-trained professionals. AI is used in medicine, for example, to assess ultrasound, magnetic resonance or X-ray images.

According to the authors, the opportunities and risks of AI cannot be assessed in general terms due to the broad field of application. A general "AI law" would therefore not be expedient. Instead, problems and undesirable developments caused by AI should be regulated in existing laws or ordinances or, if necessary, with voluntary measures.

The study examines the use of AI in shopping, in traditional and new media, in the world of work, in education and research and in public authorities.

Requirements for government agencies

The use of AI places particular demands on state actors. However, government agencies in Switzerland still rarely use AI at present. They must ensure that the fundamental rights of citizens are not violated.

According to the study, AI may only be used in administration and jurisdiction according to clear criteria. The administration must also ensure that the data on which the AI systems are based is correct and complete.

With regard to the world of work, the authors also see an opportunity in the use of AI: thanks to efficiency gains, AI could help to reduce personal working hours. In order to make this possible and avoid feared job losses or social upheaval, education and training in AI must be promoted.

Ethical standards

In education, AI can be used to analyze the skills of learners and suggest educational options. "This involves collecting and generating large amounts of data about the individuals concerned," write the authors. "Educational institutions must therefore ensure that students are not disadvantaged later on as a result."

Imparting knowledge about artificial intelligence is another aspect for the authors. Universities should clarify how an understanding of the capabilities and limitations of AI systems can be promoted. It should also be the task of universities to develop ethical standards for the research and use of AI.

Difficult balance

Anyone who orders goods online inevitably comes into contact with AI. According to the authors, personalized shopping has become a matter of course, the information technology processes work in the background and have hardly been questioned to date.

According to the experts surveyed as part of the study, increasing awareness among users of the value of their own data is a pressing concern. However, it is difficult for companies to reconcile personalization and data protection.

Open data and control options for customers, transparent disclosure of the use of AI and the right to data deletion were seen by the experts surveyed as promising measures to promote customer trust.

Federal government to raise awareness of false reports

Algorithms and artificial intelligence are also increasingly helping to determine which news and content users are shown on media platforms. According to the study, platform operators are called upon to make it clear which messages are shown due to the use of AI systems.

The federal government should raise awareness of false reports that are created with the help of AI. At the same time, the security authorities - under parliamentary control - should be able to recognize political campaigns operating with false reports and inform the population about them.

The study was carried out by researchers from the Digital Society Initiative of the University of Zurich, the Technology and Society department of Empa (Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology) and the Institute for Technology Assessment of the Austrian Academy of Sciences. The TA-Swiss Foundation assesses the consequences of technology and provides the basis for comprehensively weighing up the opportunities and risks. (SDA)

Thanks to outstanding products and continuous brand management, the Zweifel brand has become one of the most popular Swiss brands - its communication is already a piece of Swiss advertising history. However, due to many new products and communication challenges, the previous creative thrust could no longer meet today's requirements. Therefore, the communication strategy was first sharpened in a collaborative process.

The chips experts: focus on the essentials

With the previous promise "We'll do anything for that", new evidence has been provided time and again over the years that Zweifel will do anything for the best chips. The task now was to focus more on the essentials again and to find a more comprehensive communicative bracket. The focus should be on what really counts for consumers: Expertise, Swiss quality and a unique passion for chips. This is summed up in the new claim: Zweifel - Die Chips-Experten. The brand promise is effective inside and outside the company and serves as a bracket for the Zweifel umbrella brand and all subbrands.

The new platform: chips are our passion

Since time immemorial, chips experts have done everything for the best chips. Why? Because chips are their passion. And it is precisely this idea that is at the heart of all communication. It's about conveying the special attitude that applies equally to all Zweifel employees: the distinct passion for chips. This is expressed in very different ways and is therefore the ideal basis for authentic storytelling across all channels.

One story, numerous products and channels

So the chips experts are now also at the center of communication. The likeable men and women in the orange overalls are the heroes of numerous stories set in the Zweifel universe. The special feature: For the first time ever, the chips experts have a voice. The question of what they talk about is almost self-answering. First and foremost, of course, about their shared passion: chips. In addition to TVC and OOH, the experts are also used at POS, at events, in numerous online advertising media, on Zweifel's website, and on social media. Various products from the Zweifel range will be advertised throughout the year. The campaign flight for the extra-crispy KEZZ kettle chips launched in mid-April will kick things off.

For families in particular, the time during "Stay@home" is challenging: Parents sometimes work in a home office and commute back and forth between video conferences, homeschooling and childcare. The need for employment and the longing for the next vacation are great.

Win real vacations with fake vacation photos

The Reka Holiday Challenge starts on April 9, 2020 and runs for three weeks. The challenge is looking for creative fake vacation photos taken within your own four walls. All that is needed is a few household items, the right outfit and a perspective from above. The center of the campaign is the landing page Reka-ferien-challenge.ch, where the creative pictures are uploaded. Over 130,000 e-newsletter recipients are invited to take part in the challenge. Those who receive the most likes in the online voting will win one of a total of ten Reka vacation vouchers worth 1000 Swiss francs each.

Real "Reka Family

Ads are placed on Facebook and Instagram to generate additional reach and interaction. A real "Reka family" was recruited for the teaser campaign. The Borer family from Uster did the photo shoot themselves at home. The photo direction from the agency, in compliance with social distancing rules, was done via video chats.

But now skepticism is spreading among chain stores like H&M, Ikea and Dosenbach-Ochsner. They are driven by one question: "What if we open and no one comes?", quotes the Handelszeitung the Director of the Association of Swiss Branch Companies, Severin Pflüger.

Fear of infection among consumers too great

Foreign examples show that consumers tend to stay at home for fear of infection, even when stores are open. Retail outlets there still generate 30 to 40 percent of their previous sales. But this means that the vast majority of businesses cannot cover their costs. This also applies to hairdressers and restaurants, say industry experts to the Handelszeitung.

Pflüger calls on the Federal Council to act: "Only if the authorities clearly state that under the new hygiene rules, the risk of infection when shopping is greatly minimized, will the economic reboot succeed."

In 2018, AZ Medien had still posted a loss of CHF 2.2 million. In the 2019 financial year, the media company generated consolidated sales of CHF 246 million, two million more than in 2018. The operating result amounted to CHF 6.5 million.

Corona crisis looms

In the sign of the Corona crisis, the current year is proving difficult, the media company announced on Wednesday. AZ Medien and the joint venture CH Media with the NZZ regional media have introduced short-time work. In view of the situation, the Board of Directors proposes to waive a dividend payment.

Peter Wanner, publisher and Chairman of the Board of AZ Medien, said in the communiqué that CH Media had made a good start in a challenging environment. The online portal Watson had exceeded expectations.

Commenting on the Corona crisis, Wanner said advertising revenues had dropped significantly. CH Media is expecting a drop in sales in the double-digit million range by the middle of the year.

First full CH Media fiscal year solidly concluded

2019 was the first full financial year of CH Media, the joint venture between AZ Medien and the NZZ regional media. AZ Medien holds a 50 percent stake in it. AZ Medien also owns the licensed TV stations Tele M1 and TeleBärn and the online portal Watson.

In fall 2019, the Group acquired the TV stations of the 3-Plus Group (3+, 4+, 5+ and 6+). The parties agreed not to disclose the price. With the acquisition, the company became the largest private TV operator in Switzerland. AZ Medien also includes a publishing house for non-fiction books. (SDA)

The course should have started in mid-August, but has now been postponed due to a lack of certainty that it will be held. As soon as the situation returns to normal and sufficient registrations can be expected, the planning of the next course will be continued and the invitation to tender will be launched, according to a statement on Wednesday.

The current situation surrounding the coronavirus made it unavoidable to postpone the Swiss Media Forum from May 7 and 8 at the KKL Lucerne. This year's edition of the Swiss Media Congress will now be held at Lake Side in Zurich on November 5 and 6, 2020.

"Due to the measures taken by the federal government to combat the coronavirus, we are unable to hold the event at the KKL Luzern this year, which we very much regret," says Patrik Müller, initiator and co-program director of the Swiss Media Forum. "We are glad to have found an attractive alternative for holding the event in Lake Side."

The Swiss Media Forum is an annual two-day congress for media, communications, business and politics.

Part 3: "The in-store consultant for the point of sale"

Melectronics (Migros) - The in-store advisor enables its sales staff to work efficiently and customer-oriented at the POS.

Directly to the video.

The face masks are available in a standard and a premium version and can be individually personalized. The company already has the materials in stock and offers the masks in small and very small quantities. On the one hand, this is intended to prevent companies from tying up a lot of capital, and on the other, to enable private customers to buy masks in the Store can order.