Sales of the operating company Snap fell by seven percent to 988.6 million dollars in the past quarter. Snap had already put the decline on the horizon three months ago. Previously, the service was known for explosive growth.

The number of daily active Snapchat users rose from 375 million to 383 million within three months. Meanwhile, its quarterly loss improved to $328.7 million from $359.6 million a year earlier, Snap reported after the U.S. stock market closed Thursday. The stock lost 20 percent at times after the figures were presented and exited after-hours trading down 18.29 percent.

Online advertising weakens

Snapchat originally became big with photos that disappear after a short time. In the meantime, however, the company is focusing on combining digital effects with the real world on a large scale. The digital fitting room business has become more important for Snap because online advertising, the previous mainstay, is weakening.

The company recently introduced a digital mirror, which it also wants to bring to brick-and-mortar stores. Currently, the company is also experimenting with a chatbot based on artificial intelligence in the app.

Snap is being hit by the general cooling of the online advertising market, which is also being felt by top dogs Google and Facebook.

But there are other problems as well. After Apple's measures for more privacy on the iPhone upset many previous advertising models, Snap set up new procedures, but they are not yet running smoothly. On the iPhone, app providers like Snap must explicitly ask users for permission if they want to track their behavior across different apps and services for advertising purposes. Many refuse to do so.

On the conference call after the numbers were presented, one analyst asked management directly whether it wouldn't be better to scale back investments in augmented reality, such as digital try-ons, until Snap had more money again. Investor confidence in Snap is at stake, he warned. Co-founder and chief executive Evan Spiegel then expressed confidence that the advertising business would pick up again. (SDA)

To underline the dynamic, modern and innovative character of the brand, Phd and the sports car manufacturer, in collaboration with Disturbed Media Group, have brought Porsche models to life as holograms. The models can be seen at Zurich Main Station from Thursday to Saturday.

The holographic technology in ultra-HD 8K image quality is designed to allow viewers to immerse themselves in the world of Porsche. Using a QR code, visitors can interact directly with the brand.

Responsible at Porsche: Benjamin Bieber, Nathalie Busslinger. Media: Judit Hunyadi (Phd Switzerland). Technology: Jake H. Cass (Disturbed Media Group).

The Webby Awards are considered the "Oscars of the digital industry" and each year honor the best digital projects from around the world. This year, more than 600,000 people took part in the public voting.

As part of the 27th Webby Awards, the Swiss agencies Freundliche Grüsse and Bandara can now be pleased about a trophy: The Metaverse protest action "Unplay The Hate" for "All Out" wins in the category "Metaverse, Immersive & Virtual / Best Community Engagement". The project was also nominated in the category "Metaverse, Immersive & Virtual / Public Service & Activism".

According to the press release, no Swiss project has ever managed to win at the Webbys before. The trophies will be presented at an awards show in New York on May 15. Roy Wood Jr. of "The Daily Show" will host the event.

At this year's edition of the SwissMediaForum, UBS CEO Sergio Ermotti will speak about the takeover of Credit Suisse and the Swiss financial center. Federal Councillor Karin Keller-Sutter will give the opening speech. In addition, Swiss Post CEO Roberto Cirillo will speak about the digital transformation of Swiss Post and the media.

Another important topic at SwissMediaForum is the war in Ukraine. The new Ukrainian ambassador to Switzerland, Iryna Venediktova, and the Estonian influencer Dmitri Masinski will be appearing. The latter has become an important source of information for media through his Twitter account "WarTranslated".

Impact of AI on media

Artificial intelligence has been on everyone's lips since Chat GPT at the latest. Thomas Höppner, professor of private commercial law, and Luca Gambardella, professor of artificial intelligence at the Università della Svizzera italiana in Ticino, will talk about the effects on media and communication.

Anna Kohler moderates advertiser panel

Wirz Co-CEO Petra Dreyfus, Migros Head of Marketing Nadine Hess, Mediaschneider CEO Moritz Schneider and the new CCO of CH Media, Tarkan Özküp speak under the moderation of Anna Kohler, Co-Chief Editor m&k advertising week.ch, on trends in the advertising industry. In addition, the well-known advertiser Dennis Lück will talk about political campaigns.

There will also be another "elephant round", this year with Nathalie Wappler, Deputy Director General SRG SSR, Michael Wanner, CEO of CH Media, Pietro Supino, publisher of TX Group, and Felix Graf, CEO of NZZ.

Furthermore, Flurina Valsecchi, Editor-in-Chief of Messenger of the Urschweiz about the digital transformation of a regional newspaper title. ETH researcher Laura Mascarell will introduce participants to the development of new technologies for media. Andrea Masüger, President of the Swiss Media Association VSM, will also have his say. The SwissMediaForum will again be moderated by Maria Victoria Haas.

The complete program is available at Swissmediaforum.ch/program available. Journalists can register here accredit for the SwissMediaForum.

More and more people are consciously opting for a plant-based diet - for ethical, health or ecological reasons. This also has an impact on the food industry.

As longstanding managing director of the meat processor "Rügenwalder Mühle," Godo Röben implemented the transformation back to a brand. Today, according to its own statements, the company is one of the market leaders for meat alternatives.

Röben will be a guest on stage at the Swiss Brand Congress on June 14 in Zurich. In an interview, he talks in advance about headwinds, gut feelings, and why no industry can afford not to act sustainably anymore.

Godo Röben, when did you recognize the "trend" towards plant-based nutrition and how did you react to it? 

Godo Röben: For several years now, there have been many arguments in favor of all of us eating less animal products. The reasons differ into altruistic reasons - avoiding animal suffering - which keeps many people from eating animal products or the effects that the breeding of 150 billion animals have on the climate. But also more selfish reasons like their own health keep many people from continuing to eat so many animals.

What resistance - both inside and outside the company - had to be overcome in order to achieve a climate-compatible transformation of the "Rügenwalder Mühle" brand?

Imagine. People have been producing meat and sausage from animals for almost 200 years, and have also settled into a defensive posture there: that the animals are doing well after all, that the climate isn't so bad, and that meat is a piece of life force after all. And then someone - from management - comes along and says that we should rethink these things and that vegan sausage might be a good idea. Then there is already a lot of headwind in a company. You can only calm this headwind with extensive and recurring information. And above all - with success. It's like football. There is no substitute for victories. And it simply helped that we were successful right from the start. But the three years until the start were challenging.

What critical brand and communication decisions did you have to make along the way?

Many agencies and also market research were in favor of launching the vegetarian products under their own brand. But my gut told me that it was right to launch the products under Rügenwalder Mühle, because I thought that otherwise the mill would become a "bad bank" - animal products under the mill and the hip, vegan products under another brand. That would have been the end of the wonderful mill in the medium term. In my eyes, it was better that we continue to develop the traditional brand through these modern products.

What role does sustainability play in general for today's food brands? In your view, does this primarily affect suppliers of classic animal products or, in the end, does it affect everyone?

What role sustainability plays for brands or companies can be compared to the question of what role breathing plays for life. I'm sure that no market player can afford to ignore the globally valid, sustainable rules of the game anymore. It's now more about how sustainable you are and how authentically you implement these goals.

How can companies transform themselves in a planned way instead of being surprised by forced disruption? What are the advantages of such an approach?

Every industry, every company knows its "black spots" best. The real way forward is to stop hiding these "black spots" and to address them openly and honestly and then find solutions. Also like we are doing in the animal industry right now: We address the fact that we kill and eat far too many animals, we address the problems that this business model has - climate change, animal suffering, diseases for the consumer - and we then offer better food without animal origin.

Godo Röben is a guest at Swiss Brand Congressthe largest industry meeting for brand decision-makers, service providers and media representatives. At June 14, 2023 the industry meets at The Dolder Grand Hotel Zurich under the motto "Brand Management in Challenge". The content of the congress has been expanded to include the Tech and Digital Stage. 75 speakers, 23 hours of program and numerous well-known brands await the audience. Info under: Brands-congress.ch

Solinger was elected to the new post by the Lia Rumantscha board, the language organization announced Tuesday. The 55-year-old brings experience in various positions and industries in the national and international environment.

Solinger is currently a member of the management team at the Swiss Gas Industry Association. He is responsible for marketing and training.

The Lower Engadin native has many years of experience in association work with stakeholders in the various language regions of Switzerland, wrote the Lia Rumantscha. He is well-versed in issues of organizational development, digital transformation and advocacy at the national level.

"The function as Secretary General of the Lia Rumantscha enables me to be closer to my roots and to cultivate and further develop our cultural treasure - Rhaeto-Romanic," Solinger is quoted as saying in the statement. His vision is a Lia Rumantscha that acts as a center of competence and enables and promotes the development of Romansh.

Solinger succeeds Diego Deplazes at the language organization. Deplazes left the Lia Rumantscha last December after almost two years at the helm. (SDA)

Just like in the TV advertising block, all kinds of forces are vying for the views of viewers in social media. Reason enough for Galaxus to scratch the pretty facade of the Insta and TikTok world and, at the same time, take on YouTube advertising formats.

The appearance and lengths of the spots were all optimized specifically for the viewing habits and attention span of the respective platform. So whether it's a YouTube financial guru, a TikTok yoga queen, or an Insta-model, all the spots are produced in such a way that the break catches the viewers' attention in a way that is appropriate for the channel, and they always end up hard in real life, along with the supposed Internet stars.

The current campaign can be seen from Tuesday until mid-May throughout German-speaking countries on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.

Responsible at Digitec Galaxus: Martin Walthert (Chief Marketing Officer), Flurin Spring (Creative Director, Art Director), Ursina Grimm (Head of Brand Management), Eva Lipecki (Project Management, Brand Management) Julian Stauffer (Art Direction), Luca Giugliano (Digital Marketing & Media Planning), Cédric Feusi (Digital Marketing & Media Planning). Responsible at Plan B Film (Film Production): Jessica Sonderegger (Producer), Chris Niemeyer, Niels Vije, Ali Tseme (Concept), Chris Niemeyer, Jessica Sonderegger (Script), Chris Niemeyer (Direction), Nico Drechsel (Camera), Christoph Menzi (Editing), Patrischa Freuler (Colorgrading), Frederik Bauer (Visual Effects / Graphic Animation), UKO - The Audio Suite (Audio Postproduction).

Meanwhile, revenue rose 14.3 percent to 3.04 billion euros, Spotify announced Tuesday. Among other things, the higher number of employees after the job expansion last year - as well as severance payments after the layoffs initiated in January - had been responsible for higher costs.

The Swedish company ended the quarter with 515 million users, of which 210 million are paying subscribers. Both figures were significantly better than Spotify's own forecasts.

For the current quarter, Spotify is now targeting 530 million total users and 217 million paying customers. Spotify added an Instagram- and Tiktok-style feed to its app in March, allowing users to discover new music and podcasts. Spotify CEO Daniel Ek invested hundreds of millions of euros in expanding the podcast business with advertising revenue. (SDA)

As part of its supervision in the areas of telecommunications equipment and electromagnetic compatibility of electrical equipment, Bakom took 226 products under the microscope in 2022. This it announced on Tuesday.

215 or 95 percent of these products did not meet all the requirements for being placed on the market and used in Switzerland. And 80 percent or 172 installations and devices were at risk of causing frequency interference that could be used by other wireless communication devices because of defects.

High risk with PMR systems

Primarily, private mobile radio systems, or PMR systems for short, were controlled. These devices look similar to walkie-talkies used for talking. Due to their transmission power, they pose a high risk of interference if they do not comply with the requirements of the Swiss market, as Bakom writes.

The Federal Office points out that the use of PMR systems requires a license - except if the system is not operated on the 446 megahertz frequency band. A license can be applied for online at Bakom.

Bakom inspectors also examined 17 short-range radio systems, i.e. remote controls, remote-controlled toys and data transmission over short distances, as well as WLANs available in Swiss shops. Of these products, 88 percent were technically non-compliant.

Of the 16 privately operated mobile radio repeaters tested, none met all the technical requirements. The tests were carried out by Bakom following reports of interference. Repeaters are permitted for private use if they meet the technical and legal requirements, the mobile network operator concerned agrees and the repeater does not cause any interference.

Non-compliant radio equipment

Bakom was also involved in the joint European market surveillance campaign in the area of electromagnetic compatibility. Two out of six USB hubs tested in Switzerland were found to have technical non-conformities.

In connection with non-compliant radio equipment, Bakom opened 293 administrative penalty proceedings in 2022. These are related to imported radio equipment that is listed as non-compliant. This involves equipment that may no longer be sold or used in Switzerland since a Bakom inspection.

Anyone who still imports such devices risks a fine, according to Bakom. In addition, the devices will be confiscated and destroyed. This can affect both companies and private individuals - for example, if they order a device abroad and have it delivered.

The Bakom holds under the title "Please do not disturb" Tips for buying wireless communication devices on the Internet ready. If devices from abroad use frequencies that are not assigned to them, they can cause interference. (SDA)

The Emilfrey.ch website offers a wide range of services. Interested parties can find and buy a new car, discover leasing offers and new mobility solutions, take out online driving insurance, book various services or get advice from experts.

The idea of making the website the "successor" of the Geneva Motor Show, which has not taken place since 2020, is based on this comprehensive offering. Emil Frey Digital has developed a campaign from this, which uses a wide variety of online and offline channels to showcase the website as the Motor Show of Switzerland. With all the offerings you would want from a motor show, and beyond that with all the advantages that an online platform offers you.

An initial subject takes on the task of making Emilfrey.ch known nationally as the car showroom of Switzerland. To optimize the impact of the campaign, it is continuously monitored, analyzed, and, if necessary, sharpened and further developed. The initial motif is played out via a nationwide poster campaign, social media channels, YouTube, display banners, search background, integration into the current website, and POS activities.

Responsible at Emil Frey: Henri Lyon (Marketing Manager), Valerio Ghezzi (Project Manager), Eurolinda Beluli (Marketing Assistant). Responsible at Emil Frey Digital: Lajos Vizner (Overall Responsibility), Guillaume Borel (Creative Direction), Dominic Koluder (Head of Consulting), Melanie Herbst (Head of Retail Consulting), Sina Grieder (Consulting), Marcel Elsener (Text), Afshin Etesamifar (Art Direction), Anna Gontar, Tobias Kramer (Graphics), Lucien Gacond (SoMe), Björn Strub (Webmastering), Nicolas Striebel (Analytics), Marion Burner, Florian Schölly (Production), Reto Rindlisbacher (Animation).

The journalist had chosen the Article based on an investigation report of the ETH. The report contained sentences of a defamatory nature, the judge said on Tuesday. This for example to the guidance style of the professor and to its reputation. But the journalist could have taken over the sentences from the report, justified the judge its judgement at the district court Zurich. The fact that he quoted selectively from the report was part of critical reporting.

The report had not been secret, as the prosecution claimed, the judge added. The public prosecutor's office and the ETH had failed to provide this evidence. The accused was thus also acquitted of the charge of publishing official secret negotiations.

The judge went on to say that the federal law against unfair competition could not be applied. This concerns disadvantages for entrepreneurs, not employees.

Clearly, the court could not judge whether the journalist had pursued "thesis journalism" or had taken a shot at ETH. "That is not the task of a criminal court," said the judge.

"Usual labor conflict"

The defense lawyer and the professor's lawyer disagreed at the trial about the nature of the incidents on which the report was based. For the lawyer it was an "ordinary work conflict", the defense lawyer said that such a conflict would hardly bring to light a report of more than 150 pages. The professor had made serious accusations against the head of his institute, but later apologized.

The journalist quoted only negative and defamatory statements from the report, said the professor's lawyer. He had left out positive assessments. He had been interested in supporting his thesis of the different treatment of women and men at ETH. Because the professor was recognizable in the report, he was threatened with professional disadvantages.

The defense lawyer denied that there had been any defamation. The journalist had relied on assessments by third parties. For the average reader of the Republic the professor was also not recognizable. He was not named and was one of 40 professors at the relevant institute.

The journalist did not give any details of the charges in court. In addition to the acquittal, he will receive compensation for legal fees of 13,000 Swiss francs.

Conditional fine demanded

At Republic-In the article, the professor was accused, among other things, of spying on doctoral students and verbally attacking his institute director. Allegations of plagiarism were also raised, but with the indication that ETH had investigated these and described the accusations as groundless.

The public prosecutor's office had demanded a conditional fine of 140 daily sentences of 120 francs each. In addition, the journalist was to pay a fine of 2,000 francs. The professor's lawyer had claimed legal fees of 32,000 Swiss francs in addition to satisfaction of 500 Swiss francs.

The verdict is not yet final. The professor and the journalist will also meet again in civil proceedings. (SDA)

Vieli decided to relinquish her functions as Head of Corporate Communications and Member of the Executive Board after seven years, according to the statement. She wants to devote herself to new professional projects, SRG said. Vieli had been with SRG since 2016.

Since 2018, she had built up a new department as Head of Public Affairs. Vieli was entrusted with SRG's political strategy and political representation of interests and worked as a lobbyist in the Federal Parliament, the media company added. As a member of the Swiss Solidarity Foundation Board, she also helped shape the strategic direction of the donation organization for humanitarian crises and natural disasters. (SDA)