Felix Schmidt has 13 years of experience in technology and digital marketing. Most recently, Schmidt was Country Manager DACH at the partner management platform Impact.com. Prior to that, he was Head of Key Account Management at Webgears.

In his new role, he is to support the expansion efforts of Epsilon as detailed in a press release. He will also focus on establishing the Epsilon name as the leading technology for brands that want to increase their visibility and performance across all channels. Important components of this strategy will be the expansion of Epsilon's CoreID, a technology for unified customer identities in personalized marketing, as well as the exploitation of the full potential of the all-in-one personalization solution Yieldify.

"The diverse agency landscape within Publicis Groupe is a decisive advantage over competitors, both in the media and technology sectors," explains Felix Schmidt. "Products like Core-ID, smart acquisitions like Yieldify and innovative platforms like Unlimitail underline the importance of technology ecosystems for advertisers compared to today's fragmented tech stacks."

(Generative) Artificial intelligence has also arrived in advertising production. The Deutsche Vermögensberatung TV commercial with brand ambassador Jürgen Klopp was produced using deepfake technology and an AI-generated voice (m&k reported). Klopp was only on location briefly to have his face photographed from all sides. The rest of the film was shot with body doubles, and in post-production their faces were replaced by Klopp's. His voice was also synthesized by an AI, based on numerous original sound recordings, to achieve a realistic reproduction.

Christof Zogg discusses with Petra Dreyfus (Wirz), Caspar Heuss (Wirz) and Michael Rebstock (DVAG) what the prerequisites are for the successful use of AI, how the technology can be used and how the opportunities and risks should be assessed in view of deep fakes, based on this much-noticed advertising campaign by Deutsche Vermögensberatung with the trainer icon.

The LSA Live Talk will take place on Wednesday, August 14, 2024 at 11.30 am. No registration is necessary.

In July, it was announced that Stewo would be relocating and reorganizing its production and logistics by the end of March 2025. The company did not communicate the exact extent of the job cuts at the time.

At the end of July, Stewo confirmed at the request of the Keystone-SDA news agency a report by SRF's regional journal Zentralschweiz that 37 people were affected. According to the letter from the management, "intensive work is being done on individual solutions to place them in new employment until their departure in March 2025".

"Economically unsustainable"

Stewo justified the reorganization with the strong Swiss franc, competitive price pressure and high energy and raw material prices. The export conditions had become "economically unbearable", according to the letter.

From April 2025, logistics will be based at the Heilbronn site in Germany, the Stewo management explained further. For production, the company will work with existing partners in Europe and Asia in future.

The marketing, sales, purchasing and administration departments will therefore remain in the Wolhusen area, the letter continued. Stewo, the only Swiss gift wrap manufacturer, has been owned by the German company Baier & Schneider GmbH & Co. (SDA)

According to the press release, the 34-year-old Maier is "very well connected" in the Swiss association landscape and has extensive experience in the areas of management, representation of interests and communication in a political and association-related context from his previous positions. Previously, he managed the business of the Swiss Association of Burgergemeinden and Corporations and worked as a personal assistant to National Councillor Christa Markwalder (FDP).

He has successfully managed various projects and performed important representation tasks, the press release continued. His experience in working with partner associations and authorities makes him a "valuable addition to the ICG team". (SDA/swi)

Of quota women and old white men

Put an end to prejudices in the world of work.

• Author: Annahita Esmailzadeh
• Publisher: Campus Verlag, 2023
• Pages: 240
• ISBN: 9783593517551

Old white men at the top of the company, unqualified quota women - many people are still confronted with these and similar prejudices in the world of work. However, Annahita Esmailzadeh vividly shows in her book that such clichés and role models not only harm individual careers, but also companies. As a woman from a migrant background who works in the tech industry, she knows the consequences of such stereotyping. However, her advice on how to combat prejudice unfortunately remains very vague. Nevertheless, an enlightening read.

Out of the AUTOcracy

Into the mobility of tomorrow!

• Author: Katja Diehl
• Publisher: Fischer Taschenbuch Verlag, 2024
• Pages: 272
• ISBN: 9783103975772

Driving a car is the basic attitude towards mobility in Germany. According to Katja Diehl, this is the reason why the transport revolution in this country simply won't get off the ground. In her book, she gathers the voices of numerous experts, derives causes and suggestions for change and presents numerous alternative mobility concepts and initiatives for new forms of mobility. After reading the book, one thing is crystal clear: the transport revolution starts in the mind. An enlightening book for anyone who wants to know what needs to be done for alternative mobility.

Cheer up!

Mentally healthy and strong in challenging times.

• Author: Volker Busch
• Publisher: Droemer, 2024
• Pages: 352
• ISBN: 9783426279168

Limitarianism

Why wealth must be limited.

• Author: Ingrid Robeyns
• Publisher: S. Fischer Verlag, 2024
• Pages: 377
• ISBN: 9783103971620

Can you be "too rich"? Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk would probably disagree - but could they claim that they actually "need" their billions without blushing? For economist and philosopher Ingrid Robeyns, too much money in too few hands is a real problem, creating social tensions and dangerous power imbalances. This is why she came up with the concept of "limitarianism". It is about taxing the super-rich appropriately and avoiding extreme wealth. An exciting, highly topical philosophical approach.

Anja Dellagiovanna has recently joined the FS Parker team and will use her "extensive experience and expertise" to further drive the company's growth and success, according to a statement from the agency. Before joining FS Parker, she worked as a junior account manager at Wirz and as a regional marketing manager at Swisscom.

Dellagiovanna's appointment has come at a time when FS Parker has "gained exciting new clients in its portfolio". Among other things, she will take over the project management of FS Parker customers Mercanto, Valora and Diwisa.

The current campaign entitled "Bright Future" by Foundry on behalf of the Berlin Senate Department for Economics, Energy and Public Enterprises aims to set a shining example for careers in the solar trade in the capital. The 360-degree measures focus on apprenticeships in the solar trade and aim to inspire young people to pursue a career in this sector.

"More and more people in Berlin are deciding to use sustainable solar power. That's a good thing, but it also means that we need more and more skilled workers to make the climate-neutral city and the energy transition a reality," explains Lisa Frerichs, spokesperson for the Senate Department for Economics, Energy and Public Enterprises. "Our 'Shining Future' campaign therefore shows three authentic young Berliners who are passionate about their training in the solar trade, directly addressing other young people and promoting this important work."

In the campaign, three real Berlin trainees act as testimonials and give an honest insight into their day-to-day work as an electrician, plant mechanic and roofer. The aim is to show that training in the solar trade is not only future-proof, but also meaningful and financially attractive. Anke Heyser Ramos, Managing Director at Foundry, emphasizes: "With this campaign, we are focusing on the social and personal value of training in the solar sector. It's not just about learning the trade, but also about actively driving forward the energy transition."

The campaign is part of the overarching "Masterplan Solarcity Berlin" initiative, which aims to cover a quarter of Berlin's electricity production from solar energy by 2035. With creative formats on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube and supporting OOH posters, young people are picked up where they get their information.

Anke Heyser Ramos adds: "'Bright Future' is the perfect complement to our first Solarcity campaign 'Solar pays off'," Heyser Ramos continues. "While we are focusing on the personal benefits of solar energy with 'Solar pays off', we want to arouse interest in the industry's training professions with 'Bright future'."

Responsible at the Senate Department for Economics, Energy and Public Enterprises: Marielouise Hoppenbrock, Katrin Fahlke, Lisa Frerichs, Matthias Kuder, Natalie Mehler. Responsible at Foundry: Lea Kutz, Frederik Samuel, Lilli Kahana, Ruben Lopez Mata, Phila Helen Oppel, Amy Hien, Jonas Elbert, Robert Benthin, Lennart Frank, Eva Lutterbüse, Anke Heyser.

The creative workshop, which lasts around three hours, takes place on Lake Zurich and is aimed at marketing managers from all sectors. The "inspiring environment" is intended to provide creative solutions for their brands during the hot summer days, according to a statement from the agency. The co-creation process takes place on board a "ZAR 59 SL" sports boat with space for seven people. In addition to the intensive work phases, the "Creative Cruise" will also provide plenty of space for relaxation and informal discussions - accompanied by cool drinks and delicious snacks.

With this offer, the agency aims to provide participants with valuable food for thought and in-depth insights into the needs and wishes of their target groups. This should enable them to develop targeted and relevant communication strategies. A strategic target group analysis forms a central part of the cruise. To this end, initial approaches and potential opportunities are identified, which serve as a basis for further work.

A fundamental brand evaluation and positioning is also carried out. This involves working out the DNA of the respective brand, identifying its strengths and weaknesses and developing initial ideas for a future-proof positioning strategy. This initial assessment is intended to create a solid basis for further, more in-depth analyses and strategic decisions.

The creative workshop on Lake Zurich is intended to provide participants with an ideal basis for developing comprehensive communication strategies. Gianni Peng, Managing Director of TheGuys, is also convinced that the combination of intensive work phases and relaxed exchange in an inspiring environment will generate new perspectives and valuable impulses: "We are delighted to offer Swiss marketing managers a unique platform for idea development and collaboration with the Creative Cruise."

Interested parties can book the "Creative Cruise" at any time by emailing [email protected].

In 2024, "The Dolder Grand" celebrates its 125th anniversary. As part of this milestone, the Zurich luxury hotel wants to use the opportunity to expand its positioning with strong communication as a visionary five-star hotel with national and international appeal.
Various events surrounding the anniversary offer exciting and varied communication opportunities, they say. With this in mind and in order to anchor its brand image, the Dolder Grand appointed the communications agency Farner as lead agency for PR and communications last March. The aim is to make the hotel better known in Switzerland during the anniversary celebrations and beyond, particularly in French-speaking Switzerland. Farner provides the Dolder Grand with comprehensive support in the form of strategic communications consulting as well as issues and crisis communications.

The official launch of the collaboration between The Dolder Grand and Farner coincided with the start of the anniversary year in May. "Together with Farner, we want to take our external communication to the next level and consolidate our positioning as the 'beacon of urban hospitality', as Claus Schweitzer aptly described our first place in the BILANZ hotel ranking," explains Joachim Schweier, Senior Marketing & Communications Manager at The Dolder Grand.

Taking communication to a new level

Farner already looks after various premium brands. This contract will further expand the client portfolio in the luxury and consumer segment, as the agency writes. "We are proud to be advising the iconic five-star hotel and to be opening a new chapter in communications together with the Dolder Grand," says Toby Felder, Partner at Farner and Lead Marketing & Brand Communications. "The close collaboration with the Dolder Grand is particularly close to our hearts, as we are convinced that outstanding results can only be achieved in co-creation with our clients."

The GVB's natural hazards department supports prevention measures and offers help in the event of a claim. The new content presents protection tips against hail, storms and rain in a humorous way - with the likeable Matto Kämpf as the protagonist Max. The campaign visualizes the fact that the weather can throw a huge spanner in the works. The scatterbrained Max experiences this first-hand.

Digital content for the campaign

The content, which has been on display since the end of July, is intended to encourage the people of Bern to secure their buildings against natural hazards - before it is too late and the damage is done. Three commercials, bumper ads and social media posts are being played out. There are also various newsletters. The Bold agency is once again responsible for the concept, realization and production.

Responsible at GVB: Daniel Hofer, Communications Team. Responsible agency & production: Bold.

In 1980, BMW Motorrad launched the "R 80 G/S", the first enduro machine with a multi-cylinder engine and the most powerful but also heaviest off-road and sports bike at the time. In 1981, it entered the Paris-Dakar Rally as a ridiculed outsider with Hubert Auriol as its rider. And surprisingly prevailed against all the favorites. She repeated this victory four more times in the following years.

44 years later, the spirit of the BMW R 80 G/S is revived in the special model BMW R 1250 GS Adventure "Legendary Edition". Together with the motorcycle design studio Rubberdust, BMW Motorrad Switzerland developed an individual design that incorporates characteristic elements of the R 80 G/S and combines them with the contemporary elegance of the current successor model.

The fact that the BMW R 1250 GS Adventure "Legendary Edition" carries the spirit of its predecessor inspired the BMW motorcycle team at Serviceplan Suisse to create a subject that links the two models with Double Exposure. The key visual, which was shot locally in Switzerland, is now being used as a still and slightly animated image in a social media campaign.

Responsible at BMW Motorrad: Marc Gobeli (Head of Marketing), Alain Fischer (Management Associate Marketing), Luca Willi (Marketing & Products Specialist). Responsible at the House of Communication Zurich: Carina Kienzle (Art Direction), Govinda Schmidt (Art), Kelsang Gope (Text), Yanik Gygax and Stefanie Stöckli (Interactive Media Design), Thomas Lüber (Creative Director), Marcin Baba (Executive Creative Director), Dominic Häuptli and Kristina Petersen (Consulting), Barbara Meier (Realization); Thomas Koller (Senior Account Manager), Hans-Hermann Hahn (Digital Consultant). Nathalie Diethelm (CEO). Photography: Olivier Walther (photography and image processing), Claude Gabriel (assistance).