What organizational measures need to be taken as the coronavirus spreads? What needs to be taken into account when communicating with customers and employees? Is the agency prepared for the financial impact? The published checklist is intended to provide assistance in dealing with the coronavirus situation.

Leading the new company together: Federik Thomas and Markus Dobbelfeld (from left to right).

The new company aims to support large enterprises, international corporations, as well as medium-sized and family-owned businesses in building digital capabilities. The two founders, Frederik Thomas and Markus Dobbelfeld—who describe themselves as «digital veterans»—have more than 20 years of experience building digital teams and organizations. Having successfully completed numerous digital transformation initiatives in fields such as e-commerce, digital marketing, digital banking, product digitization, and digital business model transformation, they know that the ultimate factor for success in digital transformation is not technology—but people. That is why Search & Co. is dedicated to helping people and companies realize their digital potential. The company achieves this by assisting with the identification and recruitment of digital talent, as well as through coaching, interim management, and customized training programs. Frederik Thomas most recently served as Chief Information Officer and Chief Operating Officer at Interdiscount. Markus Dobbelfeld, for his part, served as Chief Marketing and Digital Officer and a member of the Executive Board of the Vorwerk Group until the founding of Search & Co.

The two have developed a «Digital Potential Model» for companies that are facing the challenge of digitalization, are already undergoing digital transformation, or are well advanced in the process. The model identifies internal innovation talent and is designed to help companies target their search for missing leadership positions. If additional expertise is needed from outside the company, Search & Co recruits digital executives or specialists from a broad network.

In addition to their work as young entrepreneurs, both founders of Search & Co. serve as lecturers. Thomas is a lecturer in Digital Leadership at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland (FHNW) and the University of Latvia. Dobbelfeld teaches Digital Business Innovation at Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts and Digital Leadership & Transformation at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland (FHNW).

Whereas the Jelmoli magazine, which is published three times a year, was previously published and editorially managed by external partners and agencies, the department store is now bundling this expertise in-house under the leadership of Oliver Burger. The new editor-in-chief, Anka Refghi, was previously editor-in-chief at Prestige magazine and Zürcher Bahnhofstrasse magazine, has written for various lifestyle titles for many years, and has strong roots in the premium and luxury segment.

With the new bundling, Jelmoli is bringing an important sales promotion and advertising tool closer to itself and the Jelmoli Experience Worlds. "It enables us to work more efficiently and tell stories more intensively and in a more lifelike way. Purchasing, sales and editorial are thus in the same place and in ongoing direct exchange," explains Burger.

Contemporary redesign

In addition, the design of the magazine was completely revised as part of the relaunch of the Jelmoli CD. The team from Hubertus Design in Zurich is responsible for the redesign. The first issue with a new editorial team and layout will be published in mid-March. The fall issue will follow in mid-December and the Christmas issue in early November 2020.

Column by Sybille Berg

As a highlight, the author Sybille Berg could be won for a regular column. The German-Swiss writer and playwright has just won the Swiss Book Prize 2019.

The March issue can here be sighted.

The company is aware that the working situation at home is not optimal for all employees. Those who do not want to work in a home office because of small children can therefore use the office until further notice. Other media companies have also already sent a large proportion of their employees to the home office because of the Corona crisis, including SRF, Ringier and the Keystone-SDA news agency. (SDA)

As the MAZ writes on its homepage, the management decided on the measure on Friday. It will last from March 16 until at least April 13.

During the four-week closure, no courses will take place, the MAZ announced. It is trying to offer a new date for canceled courses. Should the federal government set a longer deadline, this will be taken over. (SDA)

Experts assume that the crisis will peak in spring/summer at the latest. For this reason, the Board of Trustees of the ZJP has decided to take the precaution of canceling the award ceremony on May 12 at Zurich's "Kaufleuten".

The event, which will also celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Zurich Journalism Prize, will take place in fall 2020. The exact date will be announced in good time.

As a so-called whitelabel company, the Winterthur-based company offers digital advertising solutions on behalf of agencies for their customers. Hut.ch has been offering its services as an AG since January 2020.

External digital department for agencies 

Google Ads, Social Media Ads and Search Engine Optimization have become indispensable in today's marketing world: So those who have in-depth knowledge of social media, search engine, display and video marketing have a clear advantage as an agency. "Our experience shows that many smaller and medium-sized agencies either don't have the necessary knowledge in the field of online marketing, or simply don't have the resources to deal with the topic. That's where we come in," explains Katrin Pfandl. "On behalf of the agency that commissions us, we take care of all their clients' desired online marketing activities." Like the Styrian-born Joel Neuschwander, who lives in Winterthur, is also pleased about the change to a limited company: "It's the logical consequence of the steadily growing demand for our services."

Signs point to growth 

In order to meet the demand from agencies, there are currently five people behind Hut.ch AG. In addition to the two managing directors, Tanja Rebsamen is responsible for accounting and personnel administration, and two trainee mediamaticians work for agency clients. Romina Furrer joined the team in February as an additional project manager.

Happy about the "Poster of the Year" award: Markus Ehrle, CEO of APG|SGA, Patrick Becker and Rolf Hiltl, both Hiltl, Mario Moosbrugger, Markus Ruf, Isabelle Hauser and Christian Brändle, jury president and director of the Museum für Gestaltung Zürich (from left to right).

The award in the category "Poster of the Year 2019" goes to the vegetarian restaurant Hiltl with its unerring vegi campaign "Kein Tier im Visier" (No animal in sight), which was created by Ruf Lanz just in time for the hunting season. "The subject excellently sums up the attitude that unites all Hiltl offerings: Pleasure is not at the expense of other living creatures," said Christian Brändle, jury president and director of the Museum of Design Zurich. Among the 36 nominees, Ruf Lanz had secured no fewer than 14 finalist spots. In total, the agency won seven prizes in various categories.

Award for the "Poster of the Year" was delivered personally last night 

Because of the rapid spread of the coronavirus, the Federal Council classified the situation in Switzerland as a special situation. The authorities recommended avoiding events with large numbers of people in enclosed spaces. Consequently, for security reasons, Thursday's APG|SGA Poster Night in Hall 622 in Zurich-Oerlikon was cancelled. Markus Ehrle, CEO of APG|SGA, regrets this and explains: "Responsibility for health comes first. We did not want to expose the invited guests to the risk of infection. That's why we canceled the event with a heavy heart."

Together with jury president Christian Brändle, however, he did not miss the opportunity to personally present the award for the "Poster of the Year". The award for the "Poster of the Year" was accepted yesterday evening in Zurich by Patrick Becker and Rolf Hiltl (both Hiltl) as well as Markus Ruf, Isabelle Hauser and Mario Moosbrugger (all Ruf Lanz). The other trophies in gold, silver and bronze will be presented to the winners in the next few days.

Born and raised in Chur, Grünenfelder brings 20 years of professional experience in management positions in marketing, communications and PR, sales, and project and product management. This includes positions at LGT Bank, the health insurer ÖKK and the Pizolbahnen Bad Ragaz and Wangs. After her basic commercial training as a travel agent, her curriculum vitae includes further training as a marketing planner and sales coordinator. Over the years, she has also completed CAS degrees in corporate communications and customer behavior, a diploma in digital marketing, and various management seminars.

As a patented snow sports instructor, Grünenfelder is already very familiar with the Grisons mountains, especially Davos Klosters. "With Marion Grünenfelder, we are gaining a management-experienced and highly motivated personality. With her broad wealth of experience and very good network of contacts, she brings the best prerequisites for launching new projects for Klosters," says Reto Branschi, Director/CEO of Destination Davos Klosters.

Marion Grünenfelder replaces 64-year-old Georg 'Pipo' Grass, who is taking early retirement at the end of May 2020. Grass has been working for Klosters Tourism since 2015. One of his last major projects was helping to draw up the new tourism financing in Klosters.

Existing values such as "Swissness" and seasonal cuisine were strengthened, combined with local Swiss color. So stories from the village and around the village stores are just as important as creative recipe ideas.

"With Medienart, we have been able to gain a new, competent partner for our customer magazines and are happy that our values are conveyed even more freshly with the new magazine concept," says Philipp Zgraggen, Chairman of the Volg Management Board. The customer magazine "Öise Lade" is published 12 times a year with a circulation of 800,000 copies, "frais&sympa" 4 times a year with a circulation of 200,000 copies. They are distributed directly to mailboxes without stop advertising stickers and are displayed in the more than 580 Volg stores.

The mandate includes the strategic orientation of the brand and classic media and public relations. In addition, PRfact assumes the role of media office and is the first point of contact for media inquiries and loans.

"Any media presence is important for a club. That ranges from TV broadcasts to social networks. Big clubs in particular are very active on platforms like TikTok or Snapchat. This allows them to reach young target groups, which makes them attractive to sponsors," says Michael Fiala, editor-in-chief of 90minuten.at in an interview with the news portal Pressetext.

The Powa Index uses artificial intelligence to calculate real-time data on attractiveness to sports sponsors. Factors such as the performance of teams, the number of internet searches for the club or its presence in classic media as well as on social media are factored in.

Jürgen Klopp attracts sponsors

In the UK, Liverpool is in first place ahead of Manchester United. They are followed by Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City. According to the Powa Index, Liverpool FC has been able to attract many sponsors mainly because of its successes, such as the recent Champions League victory and the charisma of coach Jürgen Klopp. However, the large audience on platforms such as TikTok and YouTube has also contributed to the club's growing appeal. (pte)