Coninx turns de Weck into a gray eminence

The former editor-in-chief of the Tages-Anzeiger sits on Tamedia's new journalistic advisory boardThe announcement of the new committee, which will assist Tamedia publisher Hans-Heinrich Coninx in all matters of principle with immediate effect, came on velvet paws: At the reorganization announced by the newly appointed CEO Martin Kall at the beginning of July, the journalistic heart of which was the creation of an editors-in-chief conference under Coninx's and Kall's leadership, the two top content managers held out the prospect of a further, purely consultative advisory body in a subordinate clause.Now it is here, the six-member "journalistic advisory board", and is causing a stir because of a personnel bang. In addition to the non-controversial members Pietro Suppino (Tamedia Board of Directors), Walter Stutzer (former editor-in-chief of the Tages-Anzeiger), Walter Blum (Coninx's long-standing PR consultant), company spokesman Peter Hartmeier and Martin Kall, de Weck, who resigned as head of the Tages-Anzeiger in 1997 with an eclat, can now officially act as a strategic spokesperson again.
The publicist has already found his way back to Werdstrasse through his appointment as an opinionated in-house columnist. In his new role, he - like the entire Advisory Board - has no authority to issue instructions, but also no direct responsibility.
The constellation is reminiscent of Ringier's "Journalism Committee" and its head Frank A. Meyer, which has fallen into disrepute since the Borer affair. Which is why there is little enthusiasm internally about the shadow cabinet that will be formed next week. After all, Coninx and Kall first promised the public and their employees "a clearer, more transparent management structure". Oliver Classen