The Top 10 of the Year in Review is based on a survey of key values in the period from January 1, 2020 to October 31, 2020. The keywords were compared with the maximum values of a single day in the previous year. Thus, keywords such as Mother's Day and Halloween, which are usually the top moments of each year, do not appear in the list.

1. coronavirus 

The year 2020 was almost completely dominated by the global corona pandemic. It's no wonder, then, that the term "coronavirus" was the one that people in Switzerland exchanged the most on Facebook overall. Topics such as "quarantine," "vaccination," "pandemic" and "disinfectant" were also suddenly discussed - all words that had not necessarily been part of our everyday language before.

2. death of Ennio Morricone

Italian composer Ennio Morricone left his mark on film music like no other. The "Maestro", as his fans affectionately called him, created 500 compositions for films. On the night of July 6, Ennio Morricone died at the age of 91. His death was the second most discussed topic on Facebook in Switzerland. Many people thanked him for his life's work.

3. university of zurich discontinues face-to-face courses  

In response to the first wave of the pandemic, the University of Zurich announced on March 16 that it would be holding courses without contact until further notice and that it would no longer be holding any face-to-face courses. The preceding weeks were used to expand online teaching so that students can work through the learning material from home. The switch to digital teaching is the third most discussed topic on Facebook in Switzerland.

4. compulsory wearing of masks in public transport 

When contagions in Switzerland increased again after the relaxation measures in July, the Federal Council decreed that masks were compulsory on public transport. Until then, Switzerland had only recommended the use of face masks, but hardly any passengers on trains, streetcars or buses complied. The introduction of compulsory masks was one of the top topics among Swiss people on Facebook in 2020.

5. death of Kobe Bryant

On January 26, US basketball player and national hero Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna died in a helicopter crash near Los Angeles. Many people in Switzerland commemorated the sports legend and made their icon one of the most commented events on Facebook.

6. music on balconies against corona crisis in Italy

Every man for himself, but all together: On March 13, people from north to south in Italy simultaneously stood on their balconies or by their windows with instruments or singing to sing songs together. The whole country took part in the "Flashmob sonoro" - and the videos of it were among the top moments of Swiss Facebook users.

7. bushfires in Australia 

Australia is regularly affected by large-scale bushfires. From August 2019 to March 2020, twelve million hectares of land were devastated. More than 30 people and countless animals lost their lives. The bushfires were among the most mentioned topics on Facebook in Switzerland - and became the biggest fundraiser ever on Facebook: Worldwide, more than 2.5 million people raised $35 million to help those affected.

8. explosion in Beirut 

The devastating explosion in the port of Beirut claimed the lives of at least 190 people this summer. More than 6,000 people were injured, some seriously, and hundreds of thousands were left homeless. The tragic event was also frequently discussed on Facebook. The fundraising campaign on Facebook raised more than 1.5 million US dollars for victims and survivors.

9th Lenzburg Photo Festival 

Actually, the Fotofestival Lenzburg should have taken place already in spring, but due to the Corona pandemic it was held late this year from September 12 to October 25. The festival brought the national and international photographic world to the small town in the Swiss canton of Aargau. The exhibitions, workshops and lectures are among the most shared content among Swiss Facebook users.

10. hospital Bergamo

The Italian city of Bergamo in Lombardy has been at the center of the virus outbreak in Italy since February. The large "Hospital Papa Giovanni XXIII" is one of the symbolic sites for the corona crisis in the country. The dramatic images of Covid 19 patients in crowded halls and corridors went around the world.

According to a recent survey, more than three million Swiss people are currently members of a Facebook group. Since the first wave of the pandemic hit Switzerland and people have increasingly spent their time at home, more than 2 million Swiss people have joined various groups on Facebook. They exchange ideas about Corona and create something positive together. A selection of the best groups:

"Gärn gschee" - Switzerland shows solidarity

In neighborhood support groups, people call for cohesion and solidarity. With encouraging words, people support each other during this time and help neighbors who need support. One of the first groups was "Gärn gschee - Basel hilft". It currently has more than 15,000 members. People in Zurich and Bern also quickly networked with each other on Facebook, including in the group "Gern gscheh - Tsüri hilft <3," which has more than 8,000 members, and in the group "Gärn gschee - Bärn hiuft," which has more than 5,000 members. Meanwhile, the neighborhood help groups exist in almost every Swiss canton.

The Sky over Corona

Another project brought to life by the pandemic is "The Sky over Corona" by Olivia Aloisi from Basel. This group is about how the sky is currently clearer to see than usual due to the restrictions. People from all over the world post snapshots of the sky, creating a unique anthology of memories of a time when global air travel is severely restricted. The group has nearly 20,000 members.

The Swiss of the year 

He is considered Switzerland's "Mr. Corona": Daniel Koch, the former head of Communicable Diseases at the Federal Office of Public Health, calmly maneuvered Switzerland through the first Corona wave. In May, he retired, but it was not quiet around him. In the group "Daniel Koch - Swiss of the Year 2020", almost 9,000 members thank him for his honest assessment of the pandemic and call for Daniel Koch to be named Swiss of the Year.

Teachers share tips for distance learning 

The "Enseignants Romands COVID-19" group brings together teachers from French-speaking Switzerland to exchange ideas on the impact of the coronavirus on school operations and support services. In addition, the more than 6,000 group members share tips and exercises to help students learn through distance learning

Digital Christmas markets 

A large part of the Christmas markets in Switzerland were canceled this year. To help local exhibitors, the group "Le marché de Noël des petits artisans ☃️" was founded. Here, artists can post and sell their creations, some of which are handmade. The administrators of the group also provide tips on how best to photograph their products. The group has almost 27,000 members.

The difference between city and country supermarkets will widen

In an urban context, there is less space available for supermarkets than in a retail park or in less densely populated areas. Another difference is the shopping behavior of customers, who often go shopping several times a week in cities and the average receipt is correspondingly smaller. This also needs to be taken into account when developing innovations.

In the "Supermarkets 2025" study, a third of respondents wanted handheld scanners for contactless payment, which would certainly be an advantage for faster shopping in cities. Drive-through collection of products, on the other hand, is more suitable for more rural areas where supermarkets are not within walking distance.

Less presentation space, fewer products

Many supermarkets are losing display space and therefore shelf meters, as the space is needed for fulfillment or pick-up stations. This poses a problem for branded products in particular and increases the pressure to stand out more and not be rejected. It is important to listen to consumers in product development in order to make products more attractive. In addition, more intensive cooperation with retailers is required in order to better take into account their needs and wishes, such as special labeling or packaging.

Trust and sustainability are the key factors of the future

Looking into the distant future, one factor stands out: trust. 70 percent of respondents from the UK, France and Germany say that in three years' time, they will only store in stores that they trust when it comes to sustainability and social responsibility. Both manufacturers and retailers can therefore score points with comprehensive customer information, transparency and the implementation of customer feedback. In addition, customers increasingly want loose goods for self-packaging and incentives to use their own packaging and containers. The consumers surveyed worldwide are not always consistent in their demands: 57% want personalized offers, but at the same time 63% are reluctant to disclose personal data.

"The online boom is challenging brands to be innovative and to position themselves more strongly and clearly," comments Tobias Stelzer, Head of Sales Central Europe at Bazaarvoice. "Supermarkets must fully exploit their trump cards and play to their advantages over online retailers. The haptic aspect and the better presentation of goods are a clear advantage. Brands need to enter into a dialog with consumers to build long-term loyalty. This dialog primarily consists of obtaining, understanding and implementing reviews, feedback and wishes. However, retailers and brands must also coordinate differently in this changed reality in order to jointly emphasize the advantages over online retail."

Christmas is just a few days away. Traditionally, people spend this time with their loved ones and feast at a festively laid table. The presents under the beautifully decorated Christmas tree not only make children's eyes light up and everything is bathed in a contemplative, warm atmosphere. Unfortunately, not everywhere. Even in Switzerland, the second richest country in the world. The agency at the airport asks for donations for the Salvation Army for people who are less well off. They should at least get a warm meal at Christmas.

The new Aquis Date Caliber 400 from Oris was launched this fall. To draw the attention of potential customers, the watch manufacturer is working with Webrepublic. The agency is promoting the watch for two months via an international online campaign focusing on video ads in more than 20 countries. These are supplemented by ads on social media, search engine advertising and display ads via the Amazon DSP.

In the USA, Webrepublic is also implementing a connected TV campaign across major networks for the first time. By playing the programmatically booked spots on the CBS and ESPN channels as well as the National Football League NFL network, the high-quality Oris product is placed in a premium environment with a wide reach. The impact of the commercial will be enhanced by the particularly high attention span of consumers watching television, as the agency writes in a press release. In addition, the measure is in line with the trend that more and more people are consuming TV content online via Internet-connected televisions.

The French G+J subsidiary Prisma Media publishes 20 magazine titles - from Femme Actuelle via GEO, Capital, Gala to the program guide Télé-Loisirs and thus sees itself as the country's leading magazine publisher. The publications are used every month - in print or online - by 42 million French people. Founded in 1978, Prisma is one of Gruner+Jahr's few remaining foreign holdings.

Vivendi said the acquisition would fit perfectly with its strategy and complement its existing business. Prisma Media opens up "interesting opportunities for cooperation within the Group," it said. Vivendi's assets include pay-TV broadcaster Canal Plus, music label Universal Music and advertising agency Havas. (SDA)

The relocation and transport company Welti-Furrer also plans and organizes worldwide relocations down to the smallest detail so that the transition to a new life is as easy as possible. The creative agency Ruf Lanz uses the example of the man who is currently having a particularly hard time with the topic of moving: Donald Trump. The reference is only strikingly apparent with the help of a rein box and the typical yellow adhesive tape in the Welti-Furrer branding. The pointed subject is played out online and offline.

"Wenn das Leben in Schieflage gerätät" portrays the fates of people affected by coronavirus who have had the rug pulled out from under their feet. The virus leads to additional exclusion and isolation for those affected and definitely throws their already fragile situation off balance.

Life in imbalance

This fact is visualized with images from the city in which the horizon, houses and streets are tilted and the world around us threatens to collapse. The fundraising campaign is supported by an attention-grabbing mailing with a slanted viewing window and an additional obliquely cut scatter shot. Other measures include advertisements in carefully selected media and a series of social media-ready video clips with an eye-catching twist and tilt effect.

The campaign landing page at Schieflage.swsieber.ch with the associated donation page was also designed and programmed by Evoq. The slanted elements, all of which are mobile-friendly, google-optimized and therefore search engine-compatible, were a challenge.

Christoph Zingg, General Manager of the aid organization, puts the situation in a nutshell: "People who do not yet have access to economic aid often have to learn to accept help in the first place." The campaign also wants to convey this: need can hit anyone unexpectedly. So it's all the better if a willingness to help and solidarity can help in this situation.

Previously, users had to take a screenshot of their posts to be able to post them on Snapchat. Now it should be possible to publish them directly via the app and also use its image editing features.

Feature also planned on Instagram

"Sharing tweets directly on Snapchat Stories is now easier than ever," Twitter says. On the microblogging platform, users can select the Snapchat icon using the "Share" function. This makes it possible to create a sticker whose content is the corresponding tweet.

In addition to iOS users, Android users will soon also be able to publish their posts on Snapchat. Twitter is also currently working on a similar feature for the Facebook subsidiary Instagram. Here, too, users will be able to embed their tweets seamlessly into their stories in the future.

Content on as many platforms as possible

The new features should make it easier to bring content to as many platforms as possible at once. Facebook in particular is currently working intensively on such options for its own applications. Since September, Instagram users have been able to post their stories on Facebook at the same time. (pte)

However, the biggest success story of the year was the video conferencing app Zoom, which gained 219 places year-on-year to reach fourth place ahead of Instagram.

"Wave of success continues"

"Throughout 2020, TikTok's wave of success has continued. Content-starved consumers have flocked to the app to create, socialize with others and be entertained. Users have even increased their usage in conjunction with other apps, such as Netflix. As a result, TikTok is blurring the lines between social media and streaming. By 2021, the app will likely have one billion active users each month," according to App Annie.

In addition to downloads, App Annie also collected figures on consumer spending and monthly active users. As in 2019, customers spent the most on the dating app Tinder. TikTok moved up from 16th to second place here. In third place is the Google subsidiary YouTube. The highest increase in spending was for the streaming service Disney+, which launched in European and South American markets this year. As a result, the application climbed 37 places to fourth place in terms of spend.

Global spending increased

Overall, global spending on the App Store and Google Play has grown by 25 percent compared to 2019 and is expected to reach $112 billion. The App Store continues to dominate here with a 65 percent share, but Google Play is growing steadily. There has been little change in monthly users. As in 2019, Facebook remains the leader, followed by WhatsApp and Messenger. TikTok has moved up five places in this case, but is only in eighth place. (pte)

Co-Managing Director and co-owner Andy Waldis is stepping down at the end of February 2021. The previous co-owner Johannes Hummel will take over Andy Waldis' shares together with Urs Flückiger and Alex Schmid.

Waldis helped build and establish the special interest digital publisher Carpe Media and Storyhub, one of the first content marketing agencies in Switzerland. Andy Waldis' intense commitment led to a growing desire for change. "My passion for content marketing, digital media and communication will remain the focus of my work in the future," Waldis was quoted as saying in a press release.

Bach, 57, worked for a long time as a local editor for the Geneva daily newspaper before taking over as head of the Switzerland section. In 2020, he took over as editor-in-chief of the Courrier together with Benito Perez on an ad interim basis. (SDA)

In 2021, Goldbach is again looking for campaigns from 2020 that were published in Switzerland and convince through intelligent and innovative networking. The focus is on the strategy and efficiency of this cross-media networking.

The independent jury of experts, consisting of representatives from creative and media agencies as well as advertising clients, will evaluate the campaigns. "2020 was an extraordinary year that demanded quite a lot of creativity and flexibility in the creation of advertising campaigns. I am already very curious to see whether anything has changed in terms of cross-media linking and am very much looking forward to the submissions," jury president Marco Taborelli was quoted as saying in a statement.

New tool simplifies submission process

The campaigns can be submitted via a new tool this year. This makes the submission process clearer. The new online form simplifies the process.

Campaigns can be submitted until February 8, 2021. All further information on how to submit the campaign and the link to the submission tool are available on Goldbach.com summarized.

The best cross-media campaigns will be honored on May 26, 2021, at the Best of Swiss Web Award Night at Samsung Hall.