On Monday, Nora Isterheld took over the program management of Ringier Axel Springer Switzerland's book editions. These consist of numerous Observer-guidebooks and, since 2016, also books from the world of the Swiss LandLove.

Isterheld, who holds a doctorate in German studies, began her career in the book industry at Carl Hanser Verlag in Munich, followed by positions in literary agencies and various publishing houses. Most recently, she was project manager at Lehrmittelverlag Zürich. "With Nora Isterheld, we are gaining an experienced publishing expert who will bring valuable impulses to the program design with her know-how. We are looking forward to further expanding our book editions together with her," says Urs Gysling, who as a member of the Beobachter Executive Board continues to bear overall responsibility for the book business at Ringier Axel Springer Switzerland.

The Observer- and LandLove-Editionen are part of the Beobachter publishing group of Ringier Axel Springer Schweiz. As magazines, the two titles are the two most widely read pay magazines in Switzerland. The main topics of the Observer-guides in book form include law, finance and housing, as well as health, family and the world of work. The book editions of the Swiss LandLove serve themes such as culinary, hiking and crafts and garden.

The merger of Meyerlustenberger Lachenal and Froriep is intended to create the business law firm of the future: Innovative legal services that anticipate future trends in both modern and traditional industries, with a strong focus on the high-tech sector and innovative and regulated industries.

Jung von Matt Brand Identity provided strategic support for the merger of the two brands. Together with both parties, the positioning of the new law firm brand was developed and a new brand identity was developed as a strong signal for a new, joint future.

More than 1+1

In the merger of the two brands, it was crucial from the beginning to merge the previous legacy and the created brand equities of both brands into a new common brand. The merger was not intended to create the sheer addition of two excellent commercial law firm brands, but rather the added value of bundled know-how, experience, reputations and innovative strength united in the new, one brand MLL.

In order to send this signal not only to the outside world, but also to anchor it internally, a joint brand positioning was developed. In doing so, the previous strengths of both law firm brands were taken into account and supplemented by aspects that are intended to sum up the new self-image as a "thought leader" and "game changer": Outstanding legal advice with the highest quality of advice and service.

Dynamic design language

In order to express the new brand in the brand design as well, a lively design system was developed. Existing design elements of both law firm brands - such as signature colors, logo and typeface - were taken into account and transformed into a new, innovative and dynamic design language. The interlocking letters "MLL" form a concise figurative sign and logo.

Based on the design language of the logo, a signature pattern was created in combination with modern color combinations, which creates a high level of recognition in flexible applications, even in a stand-alone position. The timeless and fresh design colors symbolize MLL's professional and human diversity and cosmopolitanism. The new concise brand design borrows from the tradition of Swiss design style and the graphic power of the Bauhaus.

Responsible at MLL Meyerlustenberger Lachenal Froriep: Alice Brunner, Caroline Millet, Dunja Koch, Dr. Peter Schramm, Sara Zanon. Responsible at Jung von Matt Brand Identity: Diana Geissel, Dr. Thomas Deigendesch (Strategy), Boris Stoll, Christina Widmann, Daria Baumgartner (Corporate Design and Motion Design).

The strategy developed by Ads&Figures in collaboration with the insurer is intended to open up new target groups in the digital space. Through the holistic processing of the customer journey funnel with advice content, potential customers are to be addressed and familiarized with the various products and services.

For this purpose, cross-channel measures were planned for each funnel stage - top, mid, and low - and the linking of the stages was ensured by means of remarketing. This funnel approach is being continuously developed and optimized on the basis of the insights gained.

Caroline Bleuer, Digital Campaign Manager at Mobiliar, sees clear advantages in this method compared to classic campaigns: "It is important to us that we can respond to our target group during the process. By addressing them at different funnel levels, we get to know their needs better and can constantly adapt and satisfy their interests even better.

From the guidebook to the premium calculator

With different messages and targets per funnel stage, interested parties are guided through the topics and offers up to the premium calculator, which is made possible by an intelligent campaign architecture with retargeting and various digital channels.

"We are convinced that a holistic approach and management are crucial success factors in digital marketing. The better the measures of the various funnel stages are coordinated, the higher the chance of successfully attracting and retaining customers in the long term," says Simon Kobel, Digital Projects Manager at Ads&Figures.

Currently, the digital agency manages Ads&Figures all paid advertising channels in the area of performance marketing for Mobiliar and is constantly developing them further.

The proven communications professional has headed Corporate Communications & Public Affairs at Coca-Cola Switzerland for the past 12 years and has a comprehensive track record in the areas of reputation management, media relations, corporate and marketing communications, public affairs and social & digital communications.

Before joining Coca-Cola, Matthias Schneider worked in various national and international organizations such as Switzerland Tourism, Credit Suisse, Feldschlösschen and British American Tobacco in different communications and marketing roles. The experienced communications manager holds an Executive Master in Communications Management as well as two CAS in Political & Public Affairs and General Management.

The most important priority for Schneider in the coming months, in addition to the aforementioned external communication, will be the further development of the internal communication strategy. This is intended to take account of the rapidly growing international organization and workforce in terms of communication.

In recent years, sports and exercise have become much more important in leisure time. The downside of this actually positive development: In Switzerland today, around 51,000 serious and moderate accidents occur each year during sports.

Many of these accidents could be avoided. The Swiss Council for Accident Prevention (BFU) summarizes prevention tips for all known team and individual sports in more than 70 dossiers and guidebooks.

To make athletes specifically aware of this, Ruf Lanz supplements the ongoing BFU sports prevention campaign with an unconventional action.

Various sporting goods in good condition were sold with a heavy heart on online platforms because they can no longer be used for a longer period of time due to an accident. In order to spare the new owners this fate, the accompanying text referred to the BFU prevention tips.

"Ruf Lanz's idea convinced us with its unconventional approach to the topic. With each sports article offered, we have so far been able to draw the attention of around 3,000 sports fans to our prevention tips in a surprising way. Without wastage and at low contact prices," says Franziska Hartmann, campaign manager at the BFU.

Responsible at the AAIB: Franziska Hartmann (Campaign Manager), Peter Matthys (Head of Campaigns), Jürg Beutler (Head of Communications, Member of the Executive Board). Responsible at Ruf Lanz: Markus Ruf, Danielle Knecht Lanz (Creative Direction), Isabelle Hauser, Mario Moosbrugger (Art Direction), Markus Ruf (Text), Armin Arnold (DTP), Miro Poffa (Consulting).

Mark Sandmeier is Co-Founder and Board Member of the digital influencer agency Picstars, which he also led as CEO until the end of 2020. Previously, he was CEO of Jobcloud/Jobs.ch, among others.

"Signifikant's solution is highly relevant for advertisers. It is more important than ever to know quickly and in detail what you are doing in terms of advertising and how the individual measures work, be it online, offline or CRM. Accordingly, the market is reacting positively and we expect further strong growth in the coming months," says Sandmeier.

Most recently, BearingPoint announced a Strategic Partnership with the startup. Together, they will help advertisers develop a 360-degree view of brand marketing and CRM.

What will Oberwinterthur look like in just under 20 years? How has the view of the city from the "Bäumli" changed? And what will Tössem residents be doing in their free time in 2040? These answers are provided by the future vision "Spatial Development Perspective Winterthur 2040". For this, the Office of Urban Development relies on multimedia communication and has commissioned a radio play podcast in addition to a series of illustrations.

In six short episodes, fictional Winterthur residents from the future describe what the city will look like in 2040. The episodes each focus on a key area, such as Grüze, Zürcherstrasse or the Auwiesen district in Töss. In this way, listeners learn in an entertaining way how Winterthur could change in the coming years.

The idea of making the "City Stories from the Future" audible came from the Weissgrund agency. The script was penned by Podcastschmiede, which was also responsible for the media implementation of the stories. Involved in the production were Andrea Blatter, Peter Hanselmann and Nico Leuenberger as well as Hannes Diggelmann, who composed his own music for the podcast. Actors from the Winterthur area take on the various speaking roles.

The podcast "Winterthur 2040" was presented at a media conference in Winterthur's Superblock. It can be heard on the website of the city of Winterthur as well as on all common podcast platforms.

The Brand Storytelling Handbook is a must-read for B2C and B2B brand owners, marketers, students and anyone interested in learning more about the origins, techniques and applications of storytelling, Creative Supply said in a statement. Based on extensive research and years of consulting experience, readers are given insights and practical tools to help brands of all sizes tell their unique stories.

The book includes stories from more than 40 brands such as Tesla, Ubisoft and Decathlon, among others. It also introduces the Brand Story Canvas, a proprietary model that helps brands tell their unique stories. In addition, case studies from brands such as On Running, Kuka and Freeletics are presented, and practical guidance on how to create your own brand story is also provided.

"Storytelling is an important part of all our projects. We look forward to sharing our passion for to share great storytelling and make it accessible to everyone," explains Youri Sawerschel, founder of Creative Supply.

Specifically, the federal government sees those responsible at the French-speaking Swiss radio and television station RTS, the Italian-speaking station RSI and the Swiss radio and television company SRG as the parent company. This was communicated by the Federal Department of Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications Uvek on Friday to the news agency Keystone-SDA on request.

The Uvek took note of the measures taken by the SRG Board of Directors to improve the protection of employees' personal integrity. The federal authority also took note of the recommendations regarding harassment formulated by a collective of lawyers and the SSM media union to the RTS management.

The department of Federal Councilor Simonetta Sommaruga pointed out that it had no formal supervisory authority in the matter. The SRG was independent and thus solely responsible for regulating questions of personnel law. The independence enshrined in the constitution and the law was indispensable for reasons of state and media policy and had been expressly laid down by the legislature.

Sommaruga had already condemned "every form of discrimination and harassment" last year after harassment cases came to light. She signaled to SRG's top management that a change in corporate culture must take place.

On Thursday, a collective of lawyers commissioned by RTS had presented a report with 220 witnesses, according to which there had been many violations of personality at the broadcaster over the past twenty years. The SRG Board of Directors approved a catalog of measures to improve the operating culture. Implementation was to begin immediately. The SSM union described the catalog as insufficient. (SDA)

About 60 full-time positions will be eliminated by the end of the year, another 60 or so during 2022 and about 25 positions in 2023, SRF said Friday. The phasing is expected to reduce the number of redundancies through natural attrition and early retirements.

Due to declining advertising revenues and for the digital transformation, SRF has to implement cost-cutting and personnel measures. SRF Director Nathalie Wappler informed employees about the current status on Friday morning. The deceleration in staff reductions is also in line with a wish expressed by employees during the consultation process.

The reduction to date of 88 full-time positions involved 27 redundancies. The remaining positions were reduced through ordinary or early retirements as well as natural attrition, according to the statement. (SDA)

The young agency - the average age of the 20-strong team is 23 - has formulated a communicative bracket for Denner that combines commitment, evidence and goal-setting. For Denner, the slogan "Everything on Future" means facing up to responsibilities and taking responsibility as a company.

For this purpose a Sustainability platform as a communication base that informs, sensitizes and entertains a sustainable community with stories, news and videos on the topic of sustainability. "Alles auf Zukunft" is not intended to be a simple campaign microsite, but in the age of online journalism to provide a socially relevant media platform with the most modern look and feel and a great reader attraction for Swiss people.

In addition, Ese Agency created a corporate design in "Retro Modern Art" style and took on the challenge of presenting Denner in a new, daring look for the first time.

Overall, retail sales in Switzerland increased by 2.3 percent in May compared to the previous year, adjusted for calendar effects, as reported by the Federal Statistical Office FSO on Thursday. The stores were also able to sell more goods: Price-adjusted, i.e. in real terms, the increase was 2.8 percent.

At the pumps in particular, the cash registers were ringing. Sales at service stations shot up by a good 21 percent. This was due to massive price increases. After adjusting for price, service stations sold only around 1.9 percent more gasoline and diesel.

Less food and beverages sold

Excluding the flourishing service stations, the retail sector was only able to increase sales by 1.0 percent year-on-year in May, adjusted for sales days and public holidays (i.e. calendar-adjusted). Sales of food, beverages and tobacco in particular contracted by 4.7 percent.

By contrast, almost all industries in the non-food sector posted gains. First and foremost, the "other goods (clothing, pharmacies, watches and jewelry)" sector posted a sales increase of +18.4 percent. This was followed by the "information and communication technology equipment" sector, which posted a +7.5 percent increase in sales.

Publishing products, sports equipment and toys also gained 7.3 percent. Mail order and internet retailing, as well as publishing products, increased by 3.5 percent. Only the "other household appliances, textiles, DIY and home furnishings" sector (-3.0 percent) posted losses.

Kink after record increase in April

In the previous month of April, calendar-adjusted sales had still swelled by 36.8 percent in nominal terms compared with April 2020. This was the strongest increase since the start of the time series in January 2000. This was mainly due to the lockdown a year ago, when many stores were closed.

Now, May 2021 shows a nominal decline of 1.9 percent compared with the previous month of April. Adjusted for inflation, sales fell by 1.8 percent.

Both grocery stores and non-food stores suffered losses of around 3 percent each. Sales of other household appliances, textiles, DIY and home furnishings in particular contracted by a good 9 percent compared with the previous month of April.

By contrast, sales in the "information and communications technology" sector, which sells computers, cell phones and tablets, rose by over 8 percent. Sales of fuels at the pumps also climbed by almost 3 percent. (SDA)