A book, a CD, a party

Just in time for the Frankfurt Book Fair, another clever book by a Swiss author is being launched on the market - apart from a few standard works on the art of cooking, where, as we all know, we've been working at a high level for some time now. However, it is neither by Muschg nor by Weber, but by Jean Etienne Aebi. With "Einfall oder Abfall - was Werbung warum erfolgreicher macht", the CCO of Publicis presents a book of over four hundred pages that deserves to be called a strong work. Or, to put it in ADC terms: The star advertiser, who has been criticized by the ADC many times over the course of his career, invited fellow advertiser Frank Baumann to take part in a panel discussion at the vernissage event. Baumann wanted to know what motivated Aebi to write a book about advertising. According to Aebi, the book was actually written out of anger, as he has been annoyed by bad and poorly produced advertising for over thirty years.
Incidentally, it was astonishing that so many guests had come despite the Rolling Stones' press conference taking place at the same time, joked Aebi afterwards, while Baumann was also on top form - one verbal pass followed the next. For example, Aebi said during the conversation: "It's definitely a global standard work." Baumann responded: "So it's an ideal customer gift." And then with a wink: "The idea of the book is actually brilliant in itself, as most others only have a brochure as self-promotion."
As was already evident at the vernissage, Aebi is certain to receive praise as well as comrades' hammers. Who it will ultimately come from remains to be seen for the time being. In any case, the following people were present at the premiere event and are already in the starting blocks for criticism: ADC leader Andreas Prokesch with partner Manuela Prokesch, Euro-RSCG CEO Frank Bodin, Jean Etienne's brother Geri Aebi, CEO at Wirz, Wirz CD Hans-Peter Schweizer and Wirz Board President Hansueli Schweizer, consultant Gerda Schröck, Mike Weber, Head of Advertising at Swisscom Mobile, Consultant Urs Peter Naef, Medard Meier, gallery owner Andy Illien, Ivan Schultheiss from APG, Jean-Pierre Reinle, ADC Managing Director Helen Müller, Hélène Sonderegger from Universal-McCann, Cem Capanoglu and many other - more or less - creative people.
The conclusion of the book launch: everyone tried to emulate Aebi and talk intelligently about advertising, which was not always successful. But the less eloquent contemporaries now have an almost inexhaustible reference work at their disposal.
The same evening, the Kaufleuten in Zurich was also buzzing. The Zurich cult duo Yello hosted the premiere of their latest CD. And as always, when Dieter Meier and Boris Blank celebrate a CD party, all of Zurich was on its feet. An ideal start and end to the evening, which had already got off to a good start with Aebi's book launch.
Classy and sophisticated was the motto of the NZZ's traditional annual party on Falkenstrasse the following day. Anyone who is anyone was there. In his welcoming speech, a good-humored Marco de Stoppani strung together one bon mot after another. He said that he still had a lot of work to do at the NZZ - even if the competing media keep wanting to retire him early. They, he continued, would never miss an opportunity to predict the imminent end of the NZZ am Sonntag. But, said the NZZ director:
"We are more than equipped to get through lean periods." And finally, with a heartfelt thank you to the suppliers: "The NZZ builds for eternity. So make sure you don't miss out on the upswing!"
Should the NZZ ever be in a really bad way: You could always turn the most beautiful staff restaurant Zurich has ever seen into an in-club. The location in Seefeld would be ideal. It's no coincidence that there are rumors that some customers book at the NZZ so that they can be invited to the NZZ bistro (with a well-stocked bar) by the customer advisors. The "canteen" has none of the dusty ambience usually found in such establishments.
Not for eternity, but at least for a few days, the impression of the superb catering by Gianni Segantini, quasi purveyor to the NZZ annual parties, lasted. In order not to plunge back into the depths of bourgeois cuisine in the days that followed, the budget would have had to be stretched to the limit. The food was of star quality. What the catering crew conjured up for the more than 300 guests was stupendous. Just a small, representative excerpt from the list of dishes that were served again and again. Tuna carpaccio that melted in the mouth - pasta with truffles, and not too few of them - and a dessert symphony to melt in your mouth as the finale.
Beat Fritsch had two vernissages and a culinary orgasm on his schedule last week. Jean Etienne Aebi hosted a stimulating book premiere at the Kunsthaus, while Yello celebrated a wild CD launch at Kaufleuten. At the NZZ annual festival, on the other hand, the food was of the very finest quality, for which
Gianni Segantini and his catering vouch for this.
Where the communications, media and publishing industries meet for their events, we locate at the scene's various events. Do you already have something to report? Pick up the phone (01 296 97 98) or hit the keys ([email protected]). Event tips and more shortlist pictures are available online at www.werbewoche.ch.
Jean Etienne Aebi signed his new book almost non-stop.
Urs Beer (r.) with Frank Baumann - the latter spoke with Aebi in front of the audience about advertising and books with advertising in them.
Markus Pekeler (center) and Cary Steinmann (right), with Markus Gut, had news: Steinmann is now a member of TBWA's Management Board.

Karl Lüönd (left), Head of the Media Institute of the Swiss Press, with Walter Bosch, a long-time companion in the industry.
Didn't miss the vernissage of their colleague Aebi: Advertising doyens Gebi Schregenberger (l.) and Domenic K. Geissbühler.
Also seen in the Kunsthaus lecture hall: Iris Ruprecht (r.), Soda, and Petra Bottignole, Publicis.
The "global standard work" on advertising also interests media people: Andi Gedenk (left) and Dietmar Bemberg from Optimedia.
Representing all the beauties at the Yello party in the Kaufleuten Himmelbar: Zineta Blank (right) and Fiona Hefti.
Has landed another hit: Boris Blank, the musical brain behind the iconic Swiss pop duo Yello.
Hubertus Prinz von Hohenlohe (left) and Christoph Guye were in a good mood at the release party at Kaufleuten.
The newspaper stand - all dressed up like the rest of the crew at the NZZ annual festival.
Marco de Stoppani (r.) and Tobias Trevisan were full of praise for Marianne Läderach, who was responsible for the annual festival.
NZZ editor-in-chief Hugo Bütler and Martin Spillmann, deputy editor-in-chief of NZZ am Sonntag, with J. Pepe Wiss (from left), Bund-Verlag.
Their superiors call them the pearls of Falkenstrasse: Grazia Ganci, Corinne Baumberger and Antonella Mezzena (from left).
Viviane Rauch-Lyoth with the Marketing Executives Michèle Chevin (l.), JPMorgan Fleming, and Jeannine Meier (r.), British Airways.
Delighted about Natalie Schneider's return to the advertising industry: Hans Siegwart (l.) and Markus Bircher from By Heart.
Marketing Manager Christoph Bauer (left) and Sales Manager Marcel Kohler form the sales backbone of the "Old Aunt".
Jean-Marc Meyer, Deputy CD at Lang Gysi Knoll, and Jean-Marie Egger (right) from Publicis at the NZZ bar with Sonja Hürlimann.
They can both tell you a thing or two about the joys and sorrows of being an agency manager: Peter Felser (l.) and Fredy Collioud.
Gerry Stadler (l.) from MPG was seen in the specially erected marquee with NZZ customer advisor Stefan Bernet.
Mediaedge:CIA team - planners Katja Stoffels (l.) and Laurence Saas (r.) with assistant Caroline Landolt.
They know how to have a good time at sophisticated industry events: Sacha Baer (l.) and Thomas Hinderling.
Absolutely delighted with the food at the NZZ Festival: Daniela Hotz (l.) from V-Zug and Lisa Meyerhans, Bank Vontobel.
Had "no questions" at the catering - Reto Gadient, Director Marketing at UBS Investment Bank, and Monica Marchesi.