Under the direction of Yuto Ozaki from Keio University (Japan), 75 scholars from around the world have created traditional, sung songs, the recited lyrics of these songs as well as spoken descriptions of the songs and instrumental versions of the melodies. recorded, compiled and analyzed. In addition, there were studies based on other song recordings from different parts of the world and audio recordings of people speaking in 16 languages.

Language and music have become established in all cultures around the world - presumably a very, very long time ago. This has long led researchers to speculate that the two may not have developed independently of each other in terms of evolutionary history and that both "modes" together also fulfill evolutionary functions.

"Universal commonality"

There is also speculation as to whether, why and when these two forms of communication could have developed from a possible common ancestor. In any case, what is missing is a truly coherent definition of the difference between spoken language and a "song" as well as scientific analyses of the fundamental acoustic similarities and differences across different cultures, the researchers write in their paper.

The new findings were largely consistent with findings from similar studies, which, however, largely only dealt with English or other Indo-European languages, and the assumptions of the research team prior to the evaluation. Despite the many exceptions found, the new study provides clear indications of "statistically universal" similarities and differences between speech and song in general across all the language groups studied. (SDA)

The Zurich Journalism Prize was awarded for the 44th time on Wednesday evening. In his welcoming speech, Hannes Britschgi, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, focused on the prerequisites for quality in journalism: talent and craftsmanship. He also emphasized the importance of the Ringier School of Journalism and the Media Training Center in Lucerne for Swiss journalism. Two institutions that are celebrating their 50th and 40th anniversaries respectively this year. In addition to the award-winning media professionals, they also deserve applause for teaching the craft of journalism, said Britschgi.

The award for the overall work was presented by the jury, headed by new President Christina NeuhausSusan Boos. A journalist who is not a self-promoter, but simply in a class of her own, said the NZZNeuhaus in her laudatory speech for the long-standing Woz-journalist. Boos' texts are clear, intelligent and straightforward. The author is independent, fearless and always committed to journalistic ethics. Whether she is writing about juvenile criminal law, the daily challenges faced by people with disabilities or nuclear power. Boos is always concerned with the matter at hand, the text is always well-founded and her readers are always a little wiser afterwards. Susan Boos, the current President of the Swiss Press Council, has remained true to these journalistic values for decades, said Neuhaus, explaining the award.

Another four works honored

218 entries from all over German-speaking Switzerland were submitted for the Journalism Prize 2024. Out of these, the seven-member jury of journalists and publicists nominated nine stories for the Zurich Journalism Prize and three for the Newcomer Prize and has now awarded prizes to four entries.

Cedric Fröhlich and Quentin Schlapbach received a prize for their work in the Bernese Newspaper and in The Covenant published text "Death in Adelboden", a story about the fatal deployment of a Swiss special forces unit.

Birgit Schmid from the New Zurich Newspaper was awarded a prize for the text "Da jagt es mir den Zapfen ab!", which is about an uncompromising artist.

Daniel Strassberg won a prize for his work at the Republic published the article "Israel in crisis". And Kilian Marti from Watson was awarded the Newcomer Prize for his research on a dispute between large and small companies entitled "Den Letzten beissen die Hunde. A major Basel project drives several SMEs into bankruptcy" was awarded the Newcomer Prize.

The Zurich Journalism Prize has been awarded by a jury of experts since 1981. Prizes are awarded for complete works as well as works from print and online media. Each of the main prizes is endowed with 10,000 Swiss francs, and the Newcomer Prize, created in 2018, with 5,000 Swiss francs.

The foundation's sponsors are the four media houses CH Media, NZZ, Ringier and Tamedia. In addition, companies and institutions support the event with monetary contributions.

For the first time since it was founded in 1998, the IGEM Interessengemeinschaft elektronische Medien was able to invite a total of 47 companies to its general meeting. The members confirmed President Stephan Küng of TWmedia and the Board members who were standing for re-election.

Farewell and new appointments to the Executive Board

The long-standing Board members Christof Kaufmann from Weischer.Cinema Switzerland, Jochen Witte from Nunatak Group Switzerland and Roger Elsener from CH Media were bid farewell. Juliane Merz from Weischer.Cinema Switzerland and Tarkan Özküp from CH Media were newly elected. This means that around one-fifth of the IGEM Board is new.

Three new member companies

IGEM also recorded an increase in the number of member companies. The digital video marketer Smartstream.tv, the advertising marketer Post Advertising of Swiss Post and the media agency Mmb media agentur have joined. This means that IGEM now has a record number of 47 member companies. IGEM President Stephan Küng is delighted: "IGEM makes a significant contribution to the market. We are delighted with our many long-standing and loyal member companies. At the same time, the fact that we are still able to welcome new members after more than a quarter of a century is confirmation of the importance of IGEM for electronic media in Switzerland."

IGEM is committed to liberal advertising opportunities in order to preserve and strengthen the diversity of electronic media in Switzerland. "Digitization is transforming all electronic media into digital media. This poses a whole new set of challenges. Our annual Digimonitor study creates transparency in this area and is an important basis for strategy development," emphasizes Küng.

The IGEM Board 2024 is made up of:

• Stephan Küng, TWmedia (President)
• Alexander Duphorn, Goldbach (Vice President)
• Florian Wanner, CH Media
• Frank Zelger, Admeira
• Jonas Eliassen, Havas
• Juliane Merz, Weischer.Cinema Switzerland
• Raoul Gerber, Goldbach
• Roger Baur, Ringier
• Sandra Fehr, Nova Impact
• Tarkan Özküp, CH Media
• Xavier Reynaud, GroupM

The new Vice-Chancellor is expected to take office in the second half of 2024, as Federal Chancellor Viktor Rossi told the media in Bern. The position will be advertised publicly. Rossi said that the criteria for the post would be defined shortly.

Election by the Federal Council

Accordingly, when asked, he did not wish to comment on the role that factors such as party affiliation or experience in the federal administration would play in the appointment of a new member. Simonazzi was a member of the SP. Rossi himself belongs to the GLP and the designated Vice-Chancellor Rachel Salzmann, who will be in office from July 1, belongs to the Center Party.

The new Vice-Chancellor will be elected by the Federal Council at the request of Chancellor Rossi. Ursula Eggenberger, born in 1962, will take over Simonazzi's functions temporarily and with immediate effect. The Federal Council has appointed her as Vice-Chancellor and Federal Council Spokesperson ad interim. As soon as Simonazzi's successor takes office, Eggenberger will resume her previous function.

Eggenberger is a proven communications specialist and has headed the Federal Chancellery's Communications Section since 2011, the Federal Council wrote. She is Simonazzi's closest colleague. She is now responsible for attending Federal Council meetings and chairing the Federal Council's media conferences.

Without Simonazzi

The Federal Council had previously held its weekly meeting in Simonazzi's absence for the first time in a long time. Federal Councillors Albert Rösti and Beat Jans also had to appear before the media on Wednesday without Simonazzi's moderation. After their introduction, the interim Federal Council spokesperson Eggenberger sat at the table.

Federal Chancellor Rossi paid tribute to Simonazzi as "the great absentee in the room". Simonazzi had chaired the Federal Council's media conferences for 15 years and had worked in the interests of the institutions and the Federal Council as a body, consolidating cooperation. He left behind solid foundations.

Simonazzi never gave curt answers to media representatives out of disdain, Rossi continued. Rather, the deceased had acted out of a sense of duty and wanted to enable the Federal Council to make unbiased decisions. Sometimes silence was also appropriate.

Funeral service planned in Bern

The 55-year-old Vice-Chancellor Simonazzi died unexpectedly last week on a hike (Werbewoche.ch reported). A funeral service will be held for him in Bern on May 24. A delegation from the Federal Council and the Federal Chancellor will attend.

Simonazzi was appointed Vice-Chancellor and Speaker of the Federal Council in November 2008. From January 1, 2009, he also attended government meetings, took minutes and handled communications.

The second Vice-Chancellor position is also currently filled on an interim basis. Jörg De Bernardi took over for Rossi in December after he was elected as the new Federal Chancellor. Rachel Salzmann will take over permanently on July 1. (SDA)

A hotel's website and brand image are usually the first and decisive point of contact for new guests. This is also the case for the Chesa RosatschFor decades now, this traditional business has been a feature of the Engadin community of Celerina and attracts many locals as well as international guests - thanks to three restaurants and a bar.

With a brand refresh, Allink brought the brand image up to date and geared it towards a younger audience. The focus topic "indulgence" set the strategic direction for the brand: from the specially created categorization as a "pleasure hotel" to the opulent imagery. Seasonal drone shots invite visitors to the website to immerse themselves in the world of Chesa Rosatsch, while carefully arranged still-life shots put the culinary delights in the right light. Chesa Rosatsch's own products - from spirits such as Brotbrösmeli vodka to chili sauce - have also been given a new packaging design that is in keeping with the overall appearance.

The topic of indulgence also comes into play in online marketing in the form of content about Chesa Rosatsch. The long-standing collaborations with small local businesses are given a stage as "Alpine Food Stories" and are intended to whet the appetite for a visit to Celerina. The new brand design is rounded off by modernized logos for the hotel and restaurants as well as simple but unique typography with a specially created corporate font.

Responsible at Chesa RosatschMichael Stutz (owner of Gastgeber 3.0 AG, operating company), Fanny Eisl (marketing), Rahel Meyer (hotelier & host). Responsible at AllinkDavid Zangger (Creative Director, Partner), Fabian Schiltknecht (Managing Director), Davide Rossetto (Design Director), Marc Wöltinger (Strategy & Content Director), Simon Zangger (Photo & Film Director), Yuma Greco (Photographer), Lena Nyfeler (Photography Apprentice), Alban Bochsler (Technical Director), Nicolai Spicher (Senior Digital Designer), Nora Pfund (Online Marketing Manager), Johanna Senn (Copywriter), Florin Schweizer (Trainee Content & Online Marketing).

There is little information and many unanswered questions on the subject of atopic dermatitis. With the campaign approach "Good question!" and three different subjects in static and moving image form, Andfrank formed the foundation of the campaign and posed questions that are actually burning under the nails of those affected.

In order to provide answers, the agency has teamed up with the skin experts from Derma2go to use a website funnel that offers online consultations. This allows those affected to receive well-founded answers directly from experts and have their skin problems assessed.

"The campaign works because we work with authentic questions. Thanks to this authenticity, the campaign can also be easily expanded to include new subjects, as these are generated from the questions asked by those affected," explains Christian Greis, dermatology specialist.

In line with the motto "together we are stronger", it was very important for the agency to acquire partners and sponsors in order to ensure a sustainable and effective advertising impact for the campaign.

Andfrank was responsible from the initial strategy planning to the delivery of all advertising material. Starting with the concept, through campaign management and the creation of the creative, to media planning and playout. The campaign is strategically broadcast in two waves, for which a sophisticated media plan was developed for classic print channels, digital platforms and social media.

Responsible at Andfrank: Monika Wiedemeijer (overall responsibility), Ramon Alder (creative director), Florian Bieniek, (consulting and media), Vivian Darges, Katharina Eugster (junior art director), Stefan Krapf (web development). Responsible at Derma2go: Dr. med. Christian Greis (Dermatology Specialist), Dominik Haller (Managing Director), Berit Klüwer (Senior Business Development Manager). Production of advertising material: Andfrank.

With the Day of Good Deeds" initiative Coop wants to show that individual commitment can bring about positive changes for society and the environment. Supported by Jung von Matt Limmat and an emotional campaign, the campaign aims to inspire personal commitment to promoting the common good.

The campaign focuses on a TVC that uses an authentic story and an optimistic mood to encourage people to get involved. Less dramatization, more lightness and optimism should awaken the joy of helping and strengthen the sense of community. At the same time, the TVC uses concrete examples to show who can be helped. In a familiar and cozy bedtime setting, the daughter asks what a good deed is. And as the father lists them, it becomes clear: be it for neighbors, for family, for the elderly or for the environment - every good deed is valuable.

The core message "What are you doing on May 25?" is always prominent and activating. The campaign has been rolled out nationwide in three languages since Monday. In addition to the TVC, it is being used at the POS, in print ads and in digital media.

Client:in: Coop. Agencies: Jung von Matt Limmat, Blish. External partners:inside: TWmedia (media), The Cover Media (voice recordings), Rosas & Co (film production), HitMill (music), DubDub Studios (sound design & dubbing), Südlich-t (post-production).

Every four months, "Lürzer's Archive" presents the most outstanding campaigns in global advertising. The trade magazine is published in 68 countries.

Following the redesign, "Lürzer's Archive" has updated its global creative ranking. The owner-managed Zurich agency Ruf Lanz is ranked third in the world, based on the creative output of the last five years.

First and second place go to Mother London and Abbott Mead Vickers BBDO London. Ruf Lanz Zurich is followed by BBH London, Uncommon Creative Studio London, Adam&eve DDB, The Newtons Laboratory, TBWA\Paris and KesselsKramer Amsterdam. Ruf Lanz is even ranked second for the advertising year 2023.

Co-owner Markus Ruf also leads the global ranking of creative directors and copywriters. The second best-ranked Swiss creative is his business partner and co-owner Danielle Knecht-Lanz in 14th place in the CD ranking. Because she was previously listed as Danielle Lanz and was later re-registered as Danielle Knecht-Lanz, she would be ranked 5th if added together.

The last time Ruf Lanz won the annual Swiss creative ranking by m&k advertisingweek.ch. In December, after receiving countless awards, the agency decided to say goodbye to many awards from 2024.

The text was about an anti-vaccination campaigner who brought an action against his allegedly abusive dismissal before a labor court. During a break in the proceedings, the parties had to leave the courtroom, with only the court remaining in the room for the discussion.

However, the plaintiff recorded the meeting on his cell phone, which he left lying around. According to established case law, this is illegal. On the recording, the judge says, among other things, that she believes "the rambling" was the reason for the dismissal.

The Weltwoche then reported on this hearing with original sound bites and in an attacking manner. After the Zurich district court complained, the Weltwoche the citations and the name of the recorded judge.

However, as the author of the text writes on Platform X, the Meilen district court has since ordered the text to be removed completely, with immediate effect. The Weltwoche has its registered office in Zollikon, which is why the Meilem court has jurisdiction.

The Zurich High Court has since filed a criminal complaint against the man who recorded the conversation, according to a statement from the court. The high court took action because the judge who was recorded also works as a Zurich substitute high court judge. (SDA)

The boutique agency "Ingo" was founded in Stockholm in early 2011 and is internationally renowned for campaigns such as "The Swedish Number", "The Moldy Whopper", "Proudly Second Best" and currently "Don't Worry, You Can Afford It" for Ikea. 2021 saw the launch of the second location in Hamburg. In just a few years, the boutique agencies have reportedly made a name for themselves and won various international awards.

The viral Moldy Whopper campaign was created by Ingo Stockholm.

Support from Stockholm and Hamburg

The Ogilvy agency network is now establishing a third branch in Zurich at Hardturmstrasse 133 in order to strengthen the Swiss location in the long term. The previous agency name Wunderman Thompson Switzerland is disappearing. "With the launch of Ingo Zurich, we are combining the experience, speed and agility of a local agency that has been anchored in Switzerland since 1962 with Ingo's credo: to make people pause, think, laugh, talk and, above all, act - through communication with a clear edge," explains Giselle Vaugne, Co-CEO and Chief Operating Officer at Ingo Zurich. "As a result, consumers see our clients' brands and products in a new light. Our comprehensive capabilities in branding, advertising, technology and data will continue to generate strong impact. We are very excited to start this new chapter together with Ingo and Ogilvy."

Swen Morath, Co-CEO and Chief Creative Officer Ingo Zürich, adds: "We are aware of the big name we now carry and the expectations that come with it. Our team has proven in the recent past that we are among the best creatively. And we have the ambition to become even better. Since the beginning of the year, we have received full support from Stockholm and Hamburg. The collaboration between our three offices is intensive, uncomplicated and efficient."

As an entrepreneur and member of several boards of directors of medium-sized Swiss companies - including Galledia - Sunnie Groeneveld brings with her a broad range of experience in the digital economy. "Her many years of expertise in key areas such as digital transformation and strategic development, combined with her strong leadership skills, make her the first choice as the new head of the institute," Prof. Matthias Rüegg, Rector of the HWZ, was quoted as saying in a press release.

Groeneveld succeeds Manuel P. Nappo, who is leaving the HWZ at his own request after 14 years. "Sunnie Groeneveld has been a highly valued member of the HWZ faculty for almost ten years," says Nappo about his successor. "Her extensive experience as a program director and her strong commitment to leadership, technology and innovation are exactly what the institute needs to continue to be successful in the future."

Groeneveld previously headed the EMBA Digital Leadership at the HWZ. She will continue to head this in addition to her new position.

It remains to be seen what impact this will have on the business model of websites that depend on users finding them via Google. It is also unclear what this will mean for Google's revenue from advertising in the internet search environment, which is a key source of revenue for the company.

"We'll do the Googling for you" is the new motto for web search, said Liz Reid, the top manager responsible, at the Google I/O developer conference on Tuesday. It is now possible to ask several questions in one search query - not just where Pilates studios are located in Boston, for example, but also how to get there and book a time slot.

With its software algorithm, which searches for relevant web links to users' queries, Google became the dominant search engine. This was accompanied by the business idea that turned Google into a real money-printing machine: companies pay money for their links to appear next to the search results.

The market leader takes the initiative

However, chatbots and other AI applications make it easier to answer questions directly instead of just displaying a collection of web links. AI start-ups such as Perplexity AI want to give Google a run for its money. So far, they have not been able to seriously challenge the market leader's throne. However, Google is not waiting for them to become stronger before making innovations in web search, but is now taking the initiative itself.

Google also made it clear that the company does not want to leave the field to challengers such as ChatGPT inventor OpenAI when it comes to AI assistants of the future. OpenAI had made headlines the day before with a live demonstration of a version of ChatGPT that can converse fluently with users and also take visual information from the smartphone camera into account. For example, the chatbot gave instructions on how to solve a math equation that an OpenAI employee had written down on a piece of paper. ChatGPT was also able to interpret moods based on facial expressions.

Google demonstrated similar overarching capabilities of a new AI software called "Project Astra" - not live on stage, however, but in a previously filmed video. Google is relying on its in-house AI model Gemini to compete with the popular chatbot ChatGPT and other artificial intelligence software. Some of the functions that could be seen in the Astra demonstration are soon to be added to Gemini, as Google manager Koray Kavukcuoglu announced.

Google is also trying to allay the concerns of website operators that the AI overviews could cause traffic to them to dry up. Google manager Hema Budaraju said that previous test runs had shown that the "AI Overviews" contained more diverse links than usual - and that users clicked through to them.

Google had previously introduced a function that allows you to search the internet by simply circling an object in a photo or words on the smartphone display. At the Google I/O, it was also demonstrated that it is enough to take a short video of a faulty record player to get instructions on how to fix the problem with this model. "Google Search is generative AI on the scale of human curiosity," said CEO Sundar Pichai.

The new AI-supported search will initially be introduced in English in the USA. However, it is set to come to Europe "in the foreseeable future".

Google believes humanity is only just beginning to use AI

"We have been investing in AI for more than a decade," emphasized Pichai. And yet the technology is still in its infancy. Among other things, Google is working on expanding the so-called "context window" - i.e. the amount of information that an AI model can evaluate simultaneously. The subscription version of the AI software can currently read a PDF document of up to 1500 pages or a one-hour video in one go and answer questions about it. No other chatbot is able to do this, emphasized Google manager Sissie Hsiao. By the end of the year, the aim is to double this figure.

Google also relies on "AI agents" - assistants that can independently perform tasks involving several steps. They could, for example, take care of all returns or handle the necessary re-registrations when moving house and look up useful addresses in the new neighborhood.

Among other things, Pichai demonstrated how the software can now search for all images from the collection of personal photos on request, for example those relating to a child's swimming progress. At the end, the Google boss had Gemini count how many times the term AI was used during the two-hour presentation: more than 120 times. (DPA/Andrej Sokolow/Christoph Dernbach)