Ella Papadakis knows the agency business inside out. Prior to NK Media, she held management positions at Wirz, Scholz & Friends and Jung von Matt Switzerland. She has already won various national and international awards with campaigns for brands such as Migros, Zweifel and Mobiliar - most recently a Grand Effie for the celebrated "Non-Bier". With her focus on 360-degree campaigns, she has "catapulted consulting to a performance high" and ensured high quality since starting at NK Media, according to a statement from the agency.

Walter Tagliaferri was previously Head of Marketing Communications at Manor, a member of the Management Board of Havas Switzerland and Director at Dear Creative - formerly Branders. At NK Media, he now develops strategies to strengthen companies in the long term. To this end, he coaches the two founders Max Felner and Nicolas Kubat in business development and helps to take the agency forward.

For the first time in the history of Formula 1, all teams stood on the same stage and unveiled their vehicle designs for the new season. For Sauber's appearance - the new C45 was staged with visually stunning show fireworks - Family relied on lots of light, music and live performance. The Guardian assessed the Sauber performance with the words: "This was the good stuff." The presentation was also met with enthusiasm on social media. "Sauber's intro and reveal is so far the best one, they set the bar too high up," said one fan on Instagram.

Family CD Florian Weitzel is proud: "To see our agency's work on such an international stage is something very special." CEO Claudio Catrambone also hinted at an expansion to London: "Family/LND will probably open earlier than planned. Initial talks are already underway."

For Sauber, the event was not only a media highlight, but also a strategic moment to position the brand internationally. "This stage is the perfect platform to present our vision, our values and our 2025 campaign to a global audience," said Stefano Battiston, Chief Commercial Officer of Sauber Motorsport. The live event was broadcast worldwide on television and streamed on social media.

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Responsible at Sauber Motorsport: Stefano Battiston, Benjamin Reininger, Florian Büngener, Markus Höpperger, Michael Kaelin, Valeria Pasetto, Dominque Nigg. Responsible at Family: Claudio Catrambone, Tabea Mader, Alexandra Niggeler, Jan Walser, Florian Weitzel, Marc Ambühl, Severin Brinkert, Noam Margiotta dal Bosco, Animation: Acht.Studio, Music: De Falcon, Performance Top-Secret Drum Corps.

Laax was to be positioned as an experience-oriented, innovative meeting and event destination in the Alps with an urban flair. The Chur agency Yes Creative Digital Marketing designed an attention-grabbing campaign that precisely meets the tastes of the target group, is adaptable and, above all, works in the long term.

"Laax made our day"

With a mix of visually strong and emotionally charged design and accurate punchlines, the campaign aims to convey the unmistakable Laax feeling. A place where meetings become experiences and new ideas arise from new perspectives. The message: "In Laax you'll find the perfect setting for ideas to take flight. Because different views inspire new perspectives."

"Where ideas take flight"

All headlines from "Get Down To Business." to "Laax made our day." are designed to put themselves in the perspective of the target group and their needs. Targeted print and digital measures create a strong presence in the public space and ensure maximum attention and reach.

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Responsible at Yes: Corina Calonder (project management, concept), Dominik Kurmann (art direction).

Lorenz Clormann has been Executive Creative Director and Partner at the Wirz Group Zurich since 2020. His career path has taken him from Weber, Hodel, Schmid Zurich to Scholz&Friends Berlin, Ruf Lanz Zurich, Jung von Matt Switzerland, Publicis Zurich, back to Jung von Matt Switzerland and his current place of work.

 

m&k: Lorenz Clormann, when did you first realize: "Advertising - or rather communication - is what I'm passionate about!"?

Lorenz Clormann: Even as a child, I was fascinated by the legendary Toni campaign. After graduating, it was clear to me that I had to work in a creative agency - and so I ended up at Weber, Hodel, Schmid shortly afterwards.

 

What's going really well in our industry right now? And what's going totally wrong?

The industry has definitely lost its luster. We need to change, and the value of creativity should also be worth more to clients again. For this reason we are driving change at Wirz.

 

Who or what inspires you?

I draw my inspiration from everyday life, from life itself. Above all, this requires a broad interest and openness towards everything new. Then inspiration comes almost all by itself.

We need to rethink entrenched mechanisms in order to make the industry more attractive to younger people again.

 

What are your strengths? And in which areas do you prefer to let others take the lead?

I can sell ideas well. That helps enormously in our industry. And I love thinking through a really big 360-degree campaign from A to Z and playing it out across all touchpoints. Basically, others are probably better at writing copy than I am, but when it comes to jokes, no one can hold a candle to me.

 

Which project from last year are you particularly proud of?

The January hole posters from M-Budget were a good start to the year 2024 and with the DVAG TV commercial, we were pioneers in the use of AI. After that, we were very busy with Migros' 100th anniversary. Since January 2025 the campaign is on-air and continues throughout the current year. I am very proud of this and of the entire team.

 

What do you consider to be your best idea that was never brought to life?

Fortunately, I was able to sell most of my good ideas. What fell by the wayside, however, were my ideas for creative projects outside of advertising - such as paintings, sculptures or installations. Fortunately, I haven't yet had to prove to anyone whether these were actually good ideas.

 

What has been the hardest decision of your career so far? And the best?

In fact, I've always known what the right next step is, so I haven't had to make any difficult decisions. In the end, every decision was the best one. I hope it stays that way.

 

Who would you really love to advertise for—regardless of budget or location?

Regardless of the depth of content? Then I would love to shoot a perfume commercial one day. A big budget, opulent images and sets, lots of drama and a rousing soundtrack. Wonderful. But seriously, I love working for big Swiss love brands and would of course be delighted if big budgets for good creation continued to be spoken for here too.

 

In your opinion, what image does the public have of the industry?

The general public has a positive opinion of good advertising, whereas it naturally tends to think negatively of bad advertising. Ultimately, we need to inspire people with good ideas and touch them emotionally. We also need to rethink entrenched mechanisms in order to make the industry more attractive to younger people again.

 

Do you believe in role models or mentors?

Basically, I do my own thing and don't follow others. A role model sets a certain pattern, a role model can be copied. I like the white sheet of paper.

I want to convey to young people that AI is still just a tool and that the idea is the real magic.

 

What does it mean to you to be nominated for the title of «Advertiser of the Year»?

I am passionate about advertising and I would be lying if I said I didn't care. I'm really delighted and it's a great honor for me - especially because you're also nominated by colleagues.

 

The most important question at the end: Please complete the following sentence: "As Advertiser of the Year, I would ...

...toast the election with a glass of champagne. I would push my efforts to show young people what a job as a creative can do and how great our industry actually is. I would show them that AI is still just a tool and that it's the idea that makes the real magic. And finally, I would make corny jokes in advertising acceptable again.

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Campaigns Lorenz Clormann

100 years of Migros

Migros beer referendum campaign

Migros January hole campaign

KI-Klopp for Deutsche Vermögensberatung DVAG

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Besides Lorenz Clormann are also Gordon Nemitz by Thjnk and Philipp Skrabal Nominated by Farner for the 2025 «Advertiser of the Year» award. More information about the award and the selection process is available here.

Gordon Nemitz has been with Thjnk Zurich since 2018. He is the Managing Director of Strategy and a co-owner of the agency. His career path took him from Jung von Matt Hamburg to TBWA Düsseldorf, Wirz/BBDO Zurich, and finally to Thjnk Zurich. Since 2023, he has also served as Chief Strategy Officer of Thjnk Germany.

 

m&k: Gordon Nemitz, when did you first realize, «Advertising—or rather, communication—is what I’m passionate about!»?

Gordon Nemitz: In ninth grade, I had to do a one-week internship. I was able to complete it at a small advertising agency in Cologne. I really enjoyed it—not only because the agency was located above a McDonald’s and I could finally work my way through the entire menu without my parents watching over me, but above all because it was my first chance to dive into the world of advertising and let my creativity run wild.

 

What's going really well in our industry right now? And what's going totally wrong?

We are in the midst of the greatest period of transformation the industry has ever seen, one that will change it forever. COVID-19 has accelerated the way we work together, both in terms of where and how. The rapid development of artificial intelligence is forcing us to question our established ways of thinking and working. We can either view all these developments with skepticism or embrace them. I tend toward a critical yet fundamentally positive perspective. After all, these changes ensure that we continue to evolve—as an industry as a whole, but also as individuals. Digitalization has already shown us this in the past; it, too, was a tectonic shift. In moments like these, flexibility is key—the ability to adapt to new circumstances, discover new possibilities, and actively shape them. The fact that we’re being forced to do this is a good thing. What the industry still lacks answers for at the moment is how we can respond to these new circumstances in a way that motivates us. How do we embrace the new opportunities while remaining capable of taking action? There’s too much discussion about how to get people back from working from home, rather than creating a culture to which people want to contribute. We focus too much on increasing efficiency through AI, rather than having a discussion about the value of creativity.

 

Who or what inspires you?

Nothing and no one offers me guaranteed inspiration. But then again, everything and everyone does. The only thing that helps is to go through the world with open eyes. Don’t take anything for granted. Just listen and observe—as much as possible. Whether it’s at a CEO meeting or by the coffee machine. Whether on the tram or at the Migros checkout. Whether during arguments about homework or on harmonious game nights. All of this leaves behind fragments of experience, food for thought, and opportunities for reflection—from which great strategies and ideas can grow.

Nothing and no one offers me guaranteed inspiration. But that also means everything and everyone does.

 

What are your strengths? And in which areas do you prefer to let others take the lead?

When I was working as a freelancer—while I was still in college—it suddenly occurred to me that agencies were paying me to think about their clients’ problems. But in a way, that seems to be my strength: quickly understanding complex issues, identifying possible solutions, and making them easy for others to grasp. Another tangible skill set I possess is my IT expertise, which has also benefited Thjnk time and again over the past few years.

 

Which project from last year are you particularly proud of?

There isn’t one single project I’m particularly proud of. Instead, I find myself looking back—often in disbelief—at what we’ve achieved as an agency over the past few years in general, and especially over the past year. Our successes in pitches, at the ADC, and at the Effie Awards are, in my opinion, a good sign that we’re consistently producing quality work. And that’s probably what I’m most proud of.

 

What do you consider to be your best idea that was never brought to life?

A campaign for toilet cleaner that celebrates the bathroom as the last personal refuge in the midst of stressful family life.

 

What has been the hardest decision of your career so far? And the best?

The hardest decision was also the best one: seven years ago, I turned my back on the security and stability of a large agency and joined Thjnk, which was based in a former carriage house.

 

Who would you really love to advertise for—regardless of budget or location?

There isn't a single brand I would prefer. For me, it’s more about having the opportunity to actively help shape brands. So perhaps I’m more drawn to challenger brands than to those that just want their brand equity well managed. And when I look at the companies I’m currently fortunate enough to work with, I’m quite satisfied. Except, of course, for Rockstar Games—but that’s solely out of personal interest as a gaming nerd. When it comes to industries, I’m a bit more open-minded. I’ve had the opportunity to work a lot in FMCG in the past, and I miss that a little. But luxury goods can also offer exciting challenges.

 

In your opinion, what image does the public have of the industry?

The industry’s image is shaped by the product we present to the public. It is therefore not surprising that we are very often perceived as intrusive or even manipulative. This is also evident in the debates surrounding bans on advertising and billboards. To put it bluntly, one could say that the industry’s very raison d’être rests in its own hands—in both a negative and a positive sense. After all, advertising consistently manages to touch people emotionally, inspire them, and entertain them. And those are actually the moments we should be creating more often. This can be achieved above all when agencies and clients keep people’s needs in mind on the one hand and share a common understanding of good communication on the other.

We focus too much on increasing the efficiency of AI instead of discussing the value of creativity.

 

Do you believe in role models or mentors? Who would that be for you?

We humans always learn from experiences and observations. These can be both positive and negative. Throughout my career, I’ve never had that one person who took me under their wing and mentored me. Instead, there have always been «colleagues along the way» who have shaped me and made me who I am today. So rather than singling out any one person, I’d like to thank all of them for the time we spent together: You know who you are.

 

What does it mean to you to be nominated for the title of «Advertiser of the Year»?

I think I speak for all the nominees who came before me—and certainly for my fellow nominees—when I say: It’s a tremendous honor. And of course, I’d be even happier if I actually won the title. But I believe my fellow nominees would have deserved it just as much, if not more.

 

The most important question to end with: Please complete the following sentence: «As Advertiser of the Year, I would …»

If I were named Advertiser of the Year, I would try to rekindle people’s enthusiasm for our work—so that more young people find their way into the industry, so that more marketers appreciate our creative work, and so that the public doesn’t have to get annoyed when they see an ad.

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Campaigns by Gordon Nemitz

Migros Moneymakers Campaign

Frey Campaign Featuring Rowan Atkinson, Chocolat Without All the Fuss

Sunrise – In the Elevator with Roger Federer and Marco Odermatt

Ochsner Sport for the Paris Olympics

Denner is living the good life

Ant March for Denner

Swiss all the way

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Besides Gordon Nemitz are also Lorenz Clormann by Wirz and Philipp Skrabal Nominated by Farner for the 2025 «Advertiser of the Year» award. More information about the award and the selection process is available here.

Philipp Skrabal has been with Team Farner since 2014, serving as a partner and Chief Creative Officer. Previously, he worked at Wirz, Advico Young & Rubicam, Publicis, and Matter & Partner. Philipp Skrabal is Vice President of the ADC, a member of the Ad School’s board of directors, a member of ADC Europe, and a member of the CCA (Creative Club Austria). Philipp Skrabal has been nominated four times for Advertiser of the Year, including most recently for 2025.

 

m&k: Philipp Skrabal, when did you first realize, «Advertising—or rather, communication—is what I’m passionate about!»?

Philipp Skrabal: As a kid, I used to sell my broken toys on the sidewalk—of course, that only worked if I came up with really good stories. For example, I had a little Formula 1 car that was totally scratched up. So, without further ado, I set it on fire with my dad’s lighter and then made up a story about a spectacular crash.

 

What's going really well in our industry right now? And what's going totally wrong?

I’m happy to answer that in my capacity as a member of the ADC Board, because it’s a key issue: Our industry continues to attract a lot of great young talent. I see this every year at the ADC Young Creatives Award, which I organize together with Hanna Jackl at the ADC. Just as impressive: more than half of the participants are women. The same goes for the winners. So it’s not true that our industry isn’t appealing anymore. And it’s also not true that there’s a shortage of female creatives. On the contrary, they’re in the majority. Agencies now need to ensure that these talented women have opportunities and end up in leadership positions. And that’s not going very smoothly at the moment.

 

Who or what inspires you?

Everything inspires me. Most of my ideas come to me during conversations.

 

What are your strengths? And in which areas do you prefer to let others take the lead?

I’m passionate about finding solutions and ideas. In doing so, I demand a lot from myself and everyone else. I enjoy sharing my knowledge and am happy when I can help others grow as a result. Recently, a colleague introduced me to a client with these words: «…he’s the most down-to-earth person and, at the same time, very demanding.» That made me incredibly happy. That’s exactly how I want to be. Unfortunately, I’m not particularly patient. And I always move at a fast pace, which is why I’m happy to be managed. I listen and enjoy learning from others. I like it when people want to take on responsibility and have ambitious goals. I give them a lot of leeway.

Communication has never been more powerful, and is therefore more important than ever.

 

Which project from last year are you particularly proud of?

Above all, I’m proud to work in an environment where every idea is taken seriously and where everyone can contribute. That’s essential if different disciplines are to collaborate successfully. And that’s exactly how our best work in recent years has come about. In addition to the campaign for Islam Alijaj, I’m particularly proud of our work for SBB, Arosa Tourism, Greenpeace, and UBS.

 

What do you consider to be your best idea that was never brought to life?

A running gag at our agency is an idea we came up with for Axpo: the «Axbot»—a small robot that tours Switzerland, chatting with people about energy along the way. As a thank-you, people have to charge him with electricity so he can keep going. That was ten years ago (back before all the AI hype), and yet he keeps popping up. Come to think of it, maybe we should pitch this idea to the client again.

 

What has been the hardest decision of your career so far? And the best?

The most difficult: my move to Farner. The best: my move to Farner. After my time at Wirz, it was clear to me that I wanted to learn to apply creativity more broadly. My task at Farner was to build up the advertising and at the same time develop a creative signature for other areas such as public affairs or corporate communications. As we know today, that worked out quite well. But if I had known eleven years ago how challenging this task was, I would have found the decision more difficult.

Technology is a playground for creative ideas, not a substitute—it expands the possibilities, but it’s the creative spark that makes all the difference.

 

Who would you really love to advertise for—regardless of budget or location?

Phew! I have no idea. It would be an exciting challenge to promote «doing without.» The liberating feeling of not owning something. The status symbol of an empty parking spot, an empty wrist—the luxury of emptiness. That would definitely be fun…

 

In your opinion, what image does the public have of our industry?

I don't think the public has a clear picture. There are certainly critics and fans. Perceptions are shaped by examples that are either extremely good or extremely bad. I think this topic should be given much greater emphasis in schools. Communication has become a powerful tool that’s virtually impossible to control. It’s the starting point for every success.

 

Do you believe in role models or mentors? And if so, who would that be for you?

Absolutely! Without you, I wouldn’t be able to answer these questions today. For me, it’s not necessarily about big names, but about people who have impressed me, motivated me, or inspired me. I’m lucky to be surrounded by inspiring people. In our offices in Zurich, Basel, Bern, and Lausanne; on the ADC board; and at home in Egg.

 

What does it mean to you to be nominated for the title of «Advertiser of the Year»?

Above all, I am very grateful that my creative work for clients and my commitment to the ADC Young Creatives Award and the AdSchool have been recognized to such an extent that I was nominated. This recognition motivates me even more.

 

The most important question to end with: Please complete the following sentence: «As »Advertiser of the Year,’ I would …”

As «Advertiser of the Year,» I would encourage the industry: Even with AI, automation, and data-driven marketing, creativity remains the key to standing out and creating an emotional connection between a brand and people. Technology is a playground for creative ideas, not a substitute—it expands the possibilities, but it’s the creative spark that makes all the difference. And I would try to instill more self-confidence in the industry, because communication has never been more powerful and is therefore more important than ever.

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Campaigns by Philipp Skrabal

Islam Alijaj – Writing History

SBB Part-Time Campaign

Arosa AI Winter Campaign

Greenpeace – If you breathe, you need the ocean

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Besides Philipp Skrabal are also Gordon Nemitz by Thjnk and Lorenz Clormann Wirz has been nominated for the 2025 «Advertiser of the Year» award. More information about the award and the selection process is available here.

The most important facts in brief:

• The nominees for "Advertiser of the Year" 2025 are
  • Gordon Nemitz, Chief Strategy Officer at Thjnk Zurich
  • Lorenz Clormann, Executive Creative Director at Wirz
  • Philipp Skrabal, Chief Creative Officer, Partner and Team Member of the Management Board at Team Farner
• The subscribers of the m&k-Swiss Newsletter and the "Advertiser:in of the Year" jury each have a 50 percent share in determining who will be named "Advertiser of the Year" 2025.
• The online election starts on Monday, February 24, 2025 and ends on February 28, 2025 at 23:59. Anyone who has been eligible to take part in the online voting since January 20, 2025 at the latest for the free m&k-newsletter and receives the newsletter during this period.
• For each newsletter subscriber a Vote counted. Forwarding your own newsletter to other people does not work either: Each voter must have subscribed to the newsletter with his or her own e-mail address.
• The Award Night will take place on March 20, 2025 at Razzia Zurich.

In December 2024, the m&k-community to nominate various industry leaders for the "Advertiser of the Year" 2025. Based on this list, the expert jury in an exciting discussion three high-caliber personalities: Gordon NemitzChief Strategy Officer at Thjnk Zurich, Lorenz ClormannExecutive Creative Director at Wirz, and Philipp SkrabalChief Creative Officer, Partner and Management Board team at Team Farner, are entering the race for the coveted title of "Advertiser of the Year" 2025.

Thinking about problems is his strength. Since 2018 Gordon Nemitz at Thjnk Zurich. He is Managing Director Strategy and co-owner of the agency. His career path led him from Jung von Matt Hamburg via TBWA Düsseldorf, Wirz/BBDO Zurich to Thjnk Zurich. He has also been Chief Strategy Officer of Thjnk Germany since 2023. His ability to make complex relationships understandable, coupled with a critical but optimistic attitude towards change, makes him one of the defining voices in the industry.

Lorenz Clormann loves big ideas and knows how to sell them convincingly - something he would also love to do for an opulent perfume campaign. With his flair for 360-degree concepts, his commitment to the future of the industry and an unshakeable sense of humor, he brings a breath of fresh air to the advertising world. Clormann has been Executive Creative Director and Partner at the Wirz Group Zurich since 2020. His career path has taken him from Weber, Hodel, Schmid Zurich to Scholz&Friends Berlin, Ruf Lanz Zurich, Jung von Matt Switzerland, Publicis Zurich, back to Jung von Matt Switzerland and his current place of work.

For over a decade Philipp Skrabal He works for Team Farner, where he is responsible as Partner and Chief Creative Officer. He sees communication as a powerful tool and wants to give the industry more self-confidence. Before Farner, Skrabal worked at Wirz, Advico Young & Rubicam, Publicis and Matter & Partner. He is ADC Vice President, Ad School Board Member, Member of ADC Europe and Member of the Creative Club Austria CCA. In 2025, he is nominated for the title "Advertiser of the Year" for the fourth time.

In In this in-depth interview, we introduce you to the three nominees in more detail:

• Interview with Gordon Nemitz
• Interview with Lorenz Clormann
• Interview with Philipp Skrabal

Voting starts on February 24, 2025

The final winner of "Advertiser of the Year" 2025 will be decided by voting as usual. The jury has 50 percent voting rights, the other 50 percent will be determined in the familiar newsletter voting. Eligible to participate is anyone who free of charge m&k-Switzerland Newsletter has subscribed with their own e-mail address and has been registered since January 20, 2025 at the latest. Only those votes that fulfill this requirement will be counted. If you vote more than once, only the most recent vote will be counted. The newsletter election will run from Monday, February 24 until Friday, February 28, 2025 at midnight.

Award night at the Zurich Razzia

Since 2021, the "Advertiser:in of the Year" award has once again been held as an independent event. As in the previous year, this year's winner will be announced on March 20, 2025 as part of an award night at the Razzia restaurant in Zurich's Seefeld district.

The gaming market has changed significantly since MYI was founded in 2016. While the focus was initially on e-sports and events, the agency is now seeing increasing demand for comprehensive marketing solutions for gaming, nerd and pop culture. "Gaming has evolved from a niche market to the mainstream," says CEO Cédric Schlosser. "Our clients are looking for strategies to address the gamer target group authentically." The agency is thus repositioning itself as a comprehensive full-service advertising agency in the gaming sector.

The target group of gamers is considered to be particularly resistant to advertising: many use ad blockers and react skeptically to traditional campaigns. At the same time, it is large - around two million people in Switzerland play games regularly and the average age is 42. MYI sees itself as a link between brands and the community. "We are gamers ourselves, so we are also the most critical testers of our work," says Schlosser.

With the repositioning, MYI is also renaming itself: the "Entertainment" in the name has been dropped to avoid misunderstandings. The design is also being revised - including a playable feature on the website. The agency, which has around 40 employees, sees itself as a full-service partner for companies that want to integrate gaming into their brand strategy.

Making a large fortune with small investments - this is what cyber criminals are increasingly promising through fraudulent online advertisements. For such scams, they use websites in the guise of well-known media such as View, 20 minutes or SRFaccording to the Federal Office for Cybersecurity BACS. The scammers would misuse the faces of prominent people for advertisements in order to lure potential victims to rip-off websites. Such advertisements for fraudulent online investments have frequently been reported to the BACS, particularly in recent times. According to the press release, the Federal Office concludes from the current high number of reports that this type of fraud has a wide reach.

Celebrities as scam bait

Although traditional emailing remains popular with cyber criminals, social media such as X, Facebook and YouTube have also become the focus of fraudsters. According to BACS, the scam attempts themselves are often similar: the celebrities being advertised promise in an alleged interview to make big money in a short time with minimal investment. They are then encouraged to register via a link or an app. As soon as registration is complete, supposed advisors pick up the phone to tempt potential victims to invest.

The initial investment is low and a personalized website shows how the balance increases - or so it seems. According to the Federal Agency, the fraudsters push for further and higher payments. In some cases, an initial small payment may actually be made at the beginning, but this is only to consolidate the victims' trust. This is because the money does not increase at all, but flows directly into the accounts of the fraudulent organizations.

According to BACS, when victims of the scam request a payout, the fraudsters insist on numerous other payments, for example for alleged fees or taxes. In some cases, criminals would also get in touch again months or years later with the message that they could get the money back for the victims - again in return for a prior payment, of course.

Stay vigilant, avoid fraud

To avoid such scams, the Federal Office advises you to check the website in question carefully and never allow yourself to be put under pressure by sellers. The motto is also: the higher the promised return, the greater the risk. Furthermore, the BACS recommends checking whether a financial service provider is licensed by the Financial Market Authority in connection with the promised increase in assets.

If you have already made payments, the federal authority recommends that you break off contact with the fraudsters immediately. The BACS also advises not to make any further payments - not even for alleged fees - and to file a complaint with the relevant cantonal police. Furthermore, caution is advised when alleged lawyers or authorities promise to recover the lost money at a later date and demand fees. (Dylan Wildhaber/jor)

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This article first appeared in Netzwoche.

The inter-university competition "LSA Junior Agency Award" brings theory and practice together. Under the supervision of experienced coaches from LSA agencies, students from Swiss universities of applied sciences develop a marketing communication strategy aimed specifically at their own generation.

The background to this is the change in media consumption among young people: social media is becoming the main source of news, while traditional offerings are used less frequently. 20 minutes aims to counter this with reliable, compact and neutral information.

After an internal preliminary round at the participating universities of applied sciences, the best teams will compete against each other in June 2025 in front of a specialist jury consisting of agency representatives, industry experts and the client.

The competition is intended to promote creativity and teamwork as well as provide a platform for direct exchange with the industry.

On September 9, 2025, the most innovative and outstanding projects in the Swiss LiveCom industry will be honored. The aim is to make the best live communication measures of the past year known to a broad public. The awards are presented by the industry association Swiss LiveCom Association Expo Event, which has been committed to promoting the interests of the industry for many years. Projects can be submitted by event agencies, exhibition companies, promotion agencies, suppliers, exhibition venues, locations and sponsoring agencies. Special Earlybird conditions are still available until March 17.

Additional category and new jury members

In total, Xaver Awards in gold, silver or bronze will be presented in the eight categories Best Corporate Event, Best Consumer / POS Event, Best Efficiency Project, Best Expo Project, Best Brandworlds & Temporary Installations and Exhibitions, Best Public Event and Best Exhibition Stand.

The new "Best Exhibition Stand" category focuses on the individual exhibition stand: it honors creative and strategically well thought-out solutions that maximize the impact of a brand or product in a small space. In addition, the community selects the winner(s) of the Public Xaver in an online vote. The Lifetime Achievement Xaver Award will also be presented: the winner will be announced in the run-up to the award ceremony.

This year's jury includes President Dany Waldner from Waldner Partner, Andrea Meier from Swisscom, Nadine Imboden and Maximilian Souchay from Live Lab. New members are Cédric Schlosser from MYI Entertainment and Iwan Funk from Bellprat Partner. "With their expertise in digital activation and gamification, Cédric Schlosser and Iwan Funk will provide us with valuable insights," explains Dany Waldner. Mauro Testerini and Norbert Egli are no longer taking part. The judging will take place on June 3 and 4, 2025 in the Hallenstadion.

Big stage for the Xaver

This year, the award ceremony will take place for the first time in the new festival hall on the Bernexpo site in Bern. This will open on April 25, 2025 as part of the BEA spring trade fair, heralding a new era of events in the federal city. "After holding the Xaver Award in Zurich for around two decades, we are very much looking forward to this move to Bern, which will also strengthen our proximity to French-speaking Switzerland. It is an honor for us to be one of the first events to be hosted in the new Festhalle. After all, it is not just Bern that benefits from the appeal of this impressive event platform, but the entire Swiss event industry," explains Expo Event President Christian Künzli.

Musicians such as Busta Rhymes, Eve, Xzibit, Morgan Heritage and Gentleman will be performing on stage at the festival. Swiss acts are also represented, including Phenomden from Zurich and Ele A from Lugano.

In the accompanying podcast, musicians talk about their careers, personal experiences and the challenges of the industry. The host is Swiss rapper and radio presenter Misk. "Hip-hop is more than just music - it's the stories behind it," he says. "With our festival and podcast, we show the people behind the tracks, their paths, challenges and successes - authentic and unfiltered."

The first episode of "The High Peak Podcast" has been available on YouTube and Spotify since Tuesday. It was produced by Vear Films.