Bank Cler set a milestone with its launch in 2018: the neobanking service "Zak" is designed from the ground up for mobile use and is significantly faster and more intuitive than traditional mobile banking. The division of the balance into individual budget pots is particularly popular - a concept from behavioral economics that perfectly suits Zak's young target group.

UI refresh: familiar patterns, brand-typical experience

Zak is constantly being developed further based on findings from regular user research. In a process lasting several months, Scholtysik has now completely revised the app's interface design and created new features. The fresh Zak experience is more closely aligned with current best practices in mobile operating systems. The advantage for users: Even complex banking transactions can be completed more quickly and easily.

New features and refresh pay off

The new features and the modernized interface are already proving successful, according to the information provided. The new savings feature has already attracted over 120 million francs in the first few months. Downloads and usage are also continuing to increase, with the app gaining over 10,000 new customers within a year.

With over 15 years of experience in the communications industry, Sandro Looser brings extensive expertise and strategic competence to his new role. After almost two decades at Publicis Groupe, most recently as Client Service Director, he took up his position in Basel at the beginning of 2025.

During his career, he has looked after brands such as Swiss, Victorinox, Heineken, V-Zug, Baloise, Swiss Post, the Swiss Red Cross and UBS - both on a national and global level. His in-depth expertise in customer service and his passion for innovative communication solutions will now make a significant contribution to the further development and growth of Kreisvier, according to a statement from the agency.

"Kreisvier is an exciting agency with a great team," says Sandro Looser. "It has everything you need today: from well-coordinated consulting to strong production and powerful creation. We also have a great affinity for new technologies. I really enjoy creating new ideas for our customers in this inspired environment".

Kreisvier CEO Alexandra Vatansever adds: "Sandro is a perfect fit for us and we are delighted to have him on board. Not only is he a proven expert, but he also brings a lot of passion, entrepreneurial spirit and fresh ideas to the table. Exactly what is needed today for communication that will be effective tomorrow."

Marco Meroni has experience in media relations, corporate communications and PR. Most recently, he was Creative Director PR at Jung von Matt Limmat, before which he headed up the Amplification team at Rod Kommunikation. "June has established itself as a dynamic agency that combines strategy, creativity and technology - an approach that inspires me," says Meroni.

Sara Gutierrez-Osmani joins the team with her expertise in sustainability communication. She previously worked at Migros, where she was responsible for internal and external communication projects in the area of sustainability and social commitment. "Sustainability is not just a trend, but a necessity and an integral part of most communication projects," she emphasizes. She previously worked at Too Good To Go and various agencies.

With the new team members, June aims to provide its customers with even more targeted support in transformation processes. Co-founder Nathalie Eggen says: "With Sara and Marco, we are gaining two outstanding personalities who ideally complement our range of services." The previous co-lead Cédric Baumgartner is leaving the agency.

Last year, Australia became the first country in the world to introduce a Social media ban issued for under-16s. A corresponding ban is now also becoming an issue in Switzerland. Basel councillor Maya Graf has tabled a motion calling on the Federal Council to consider a ban on media platforms such as TikTok or Instagram for under-16s.

Graf justifies her request with various scientifically based indications of the negative effects of excessive cell phone use. On the one hand, smartphones not only have a negative impact on the development of children and young people, but also impair their ability to concentrate and learn. Furthermore, since the introduction of cell phones, young people have increasingly suffered mental health problems such as depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts.

The Councillor of States also cites initial studies that show that restricting smartphone use has a positive effect on pupils' learning behavior. The majority of Swiss people also seem to welcome a ban on cell phones for minors. According to a survey by the Sotomo research institute, 82% of Swiss people are in favor of a smartphone ban in schools.

In its response to the postulate, the federal government argues that the effects of social media on mental health are "controversial". Nevertheless, the Federal Council is "prepared to analyze the situation in more detail in a report." If the Council of States approves the motion, the Federal Council can draw up a report on the social media ban for children and young people. (Dajana Dakic/rja)

This article first appeared in Netzwoche.

Ochsner Sport was chosen as the case study for the final thesis. In the briefing, the students were asked to develop a communication strategy for the relaunch of the Ochsner Sport Club with a special focus on the young target group.

The teams, consisting of creatives, strategists and consultants, presented their final projects to the jury of the ADC School Board and representatives of Ochsner Sport. The students received their certificates at the certificate ceremony on Thursday in the ADC Gallery. In addition, three winning teams were awarded bronze, silver and gold cubes.

Gold work: OX Club

Silver work: Pay with Sweat

Bronze work: Club Draw

"It is always fascinating and wonderful to see how the young talents have developed over the last few months. The integrative structure of the Ad School not only promotes individual skills, but also interaction in cross-skill teams. And this can also be seen in the current final projects, which have not only impressed the school board, but also the client Ochsner Sport," says school board president and current "Advertiser of the Year" nominee Gordon Nemitz.

The graduates of the Ad School 2024

• Course with specialization in strategy: Jessica Auer, Flurina Morf, Jérôme Rueff, Nadine Sperb, Jasmin Suter.
• Course with specialization in creation: Dario Brazerol, Jan Feller, Natalie Friedrich, Alena Huber, Melis Karaali, Chantal Kocher, Dominik Kurmann, Marc Lutz, Severin Miszkiewicz , Gjin Paloka, Fabian Seiler, Jil Tölderer, Nora Wieszinski.

Olivier Rihs has over 20 years of experience in the strategic development and scaling of online marketplaces. In addition to management roles at Scout24, TX Markets, the Swiss Marketplace Group and Doodle, he has served on various boards of directors. At Swiss Activities, he will support the expansion of the platform. "Olivier is a strategic visionary and established deal-maker whose experience will enrich us enormously," says Mathias Graf, CEO and founder of Swiss Activities.

Swiss Activities was founded at the end of 2021 and currently offers over 1,900 online bookable leisure activities in Switzerland. Rihs sees great potential for further growth: "I look forward to playing my part in further accelerating growth and working with the team to develop a digital platform that allows the largest selection of Swiss leisure activities to be booked online."

The new department is dedicated exclusively to the topic of artificial intelligence, as detailed in a press release. This is 20 minutes the "first consumer medium in the German-speaking world to create an independent AI section".

The new section highlights current developments, trends and straightforward applications in the field of AI as well as its opportunities and risks and offers content such as news, background reports, interviews and practical tips. The channel is now available for at least six months on the app and the website of 20 minutes available.

"AI is one of the most important technologies of our time and is already changing our world at breakneck speed," says Gaudenz Looser, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of 20 minutes. "Everyone is feeling it acutely at the moment - but there are many and very different strategies for dealing with it. Many are overwhelmed by the pressure and the large amount of information on the subject. With our new section, we want to help our readers navigate this complex topic and make the most of the opportunities offered by AI."

Partner Samsung on board

The new channel is being created in partnership with Samsung. "Samsung is driving many innovations in the field of artificial intelligence," explains Toni Koller, Marketing Director Samsung Switzerland. "Together with 20 minutes we want to help make AI more tangible and show how it can make our lives more convenient." Samsung is appearing in the channel with classic online ads as well as labeled native ads, which are created by the Commercial Publishing team at 20 minutes are developed. Due to its thematic focus, the channel offers a high-quality and relevant environment for the customer presentation.

Andai and Soltmannowski committed

For the new channel 20 minutes two AI specialists. Michael Andai is a communications and marketing specialist and worked for many years as communications and social media manager for the event organizer Act Entertainment. He became interested in AI topics early on and trained in AI writing and prompt engineering. The winner of the first Zurich Prompt Battle is a regular lecturer at the Prompt Engineering Academy. Michael Andai started as an AI Ambassador and Prompt Engineer back in October 2024 at 20 minutes.

The former m&k-Editor Christoph Soltmannowski has many years of experience as a journalist, communications expert and podcaster. From 1999 to 2002, he worked as a film and multimedia journalist for 20 minutes worked. He later moved into communications and worked for Ringier, Swiss International Airlines and as editor-in-chief of Ticketcorner's customer magazine, among others. In 1991, Christoph Soltmannowski founded an agency for communication and journalism. He already writes regularly on AI topics and also works for the Swiss Prompt Engineering Academy.

The revised visual elements will be on display from Friday. At the center are ten modern motifs in the form of new "Station Idents". These short image posts are intended to illustrate what the SRF zwei station stands for: exciting live sports moments, great emotions and relaxation. The new motifs show people from different age groups and depict different content areas of the TV station's sports, fiction and factual offerings.

"The motifs give the station its face and its acoustic recognizability. When choosing the motifs, it was important to be close to the everyday life and reality of SRF zwei's audience," says Wim Möllmann, Brand Manager TV and Head of Media Planning: "The shots are deliberately authentic, emotional and close to people." The color scheme remains the same.

The channel and promo elements, trailer packaging as well as information and warning signs and fade-ins for program information have also been revised.

The offer includes automatically installed apps from the participating media brands as well as an individual voucher code for access to digital subscriptions. Users receive the latest news, analyses and advice content at no additional cost or obligation - the subscription ends automatically after twelve months.

With the Enterprise Edition, Samsung is focusing on high-performance devices with a three-year warranty and is primarily aimed at business customers. The promotion is available via the Samsung online store and selected B2B partners.

As the former Chief Marketing Officer, Braegger took over the management of the department store in 2023 after the owner Swiss Prime Site announced its closure. His task: to continue operations for two years until the last day of sales, support employees and ensure a dignified farewell for customers and the team. In the HWZ podcast episode from Friday - the last day of sales at Jelmoli before the final closure - HWZ lecturers and course directors Stefan Eggenberger and Stefan Vogler talk to the last Jelmoli CEO.

The balancing act between emotional impact and operational business required a fundamental mindset shift. The closure brought with it not only economic challenges, but above all human ones. The CEO and his team had to manage staff turnover, maintain motivation and at the same time keep the department store attractive for its customers - despite the fact that it was a foregone conclusion.

How Jelmoli mastered its last act and what lessons can be learned from the process is listen to the podcast episode from Friday.

With a fresh image campaign and the innovative staging of "Restaurant 2.0", Aroma is contributing its expertise in brand communication and spatial experience design in a targeted manner.

The aim of the projects is to strengthen the brand presence, further develop the gastronomic experience in Migros restaurants in line with the times and provide sustainable impetus.

The software giant Microsoft is testing an ad-financed and free Office suite for Windows users. As part of this field test with the Word, Excel and PowerPoint applications, users not only have to put up with advertisements, but also have to accept a reduction in various functions, such as The Register reported. For example, the features for line spacing and frames would be missing in Word, while Excel would be reduced by conditional formatting and pivot tables and PowerPoint would be stripped of animation tools.

Furthermore, test users could only use all three applications on Microsoft's cloud Onedrive, which means that access to local files is denied without a paid subscription. The AI tools integrated into Microsoft are also not available in the ad-financed version. It remains to be seen whether Microsoft will respond to the reactions of test users and what changes will result from this.

Opposite The Register a Microsoft spokesperson said that the company had carried out some limited tests. "There are currently no plans to launch a free, ad-supported version of Microsoft Office desktop applications," the spokesperson said, according to the report. (Dylan Windhaber/jor)

This article first appeared in Netzwoche.