"A small but fine communications agency" Thomas C. Maurer on the opening of his communications agency in Berne
«A small but excellent communications agency»—Thomas C. Maurer on the opening of his communications agency in Bern Thomas C. Maurer, former partner and managing director of Trimedia Communications, has set himself up as a communications consultant
"A small but fine communications agency" Thomas C. Maurer on the opening of his communications agency in Berne
The former partner and managing director of Trimedia Communications, Thomas C. Maurer, has set up his own communications consultancy. On August 1, he will open his own agency in Bern "on a joint platform with media lawyer Franz A. Zölch".
What made you decide to become self-employed?
Thomas C. Maurer: The challenge and the desire to do something new and original. And to devote more time to my traditional field, consulting. Trimedia's fee volume has grown by around 70 percent during my four years at the agency and has reached a size that logically entailed a shift to acquisition and recruitment. In future, I want to focus more on quality than quantity and take a more serious approach to the mandates I choose myself. This has to do with enjoying my work - and is ultimately also in the interests of the client.
Did you notice a consulting shortcoming in Bern that made you choose the federal capital as the domicile for your communications agency?
Maurer: First of all, I think that it is becoming less and less important where you are physically located. I'm always everywhere and nowhere. We can meet with customers on shared electronic platforms, for example. I was already responsible for the Trimedia office in Bern and was on the management board of the Zurich and Lugano offices. As a result, I was in Berne about as often as I was in Zurich. I chose Bern for personal reasons and because my family lives here. Of course, I see a certain potential in terms of political PR mandates from the federal government. As I know my way around this area quite well and have already handled mandates for Trimedia from the FDJP, the FDFA and the FOPH, for example, I will certainly continue to do so in the future.
Who else is involved in the new communications agency besides you, and how many employees are you starting with?
Maurer: I am the sole owner and am only starting with one assistant. I am in talks with other people. But because my company is integrated into a pool, I'm not completely alone. I have the opportunity to get resources and support there.
You mention the joint platform with media lawyer Franz A. Zölch. Which areas will he be responsible for?
Maurer: First of all, this is a local and infrastructure platform. We will support each other in the acquisition and placement of mandates, with him looking after the legal side and me the communications side. In this respect, our services complement each other. You also have to remember that many legal disputes are ultimately communication problems.
What other synergies will arise from this close collaboration?
Maurer: In addition to connecting the two large personal networks, additional potential can be achieved in the areas of brainstorming and creativity in particular.
Which interface will you serve in addition to the political institutions?
Maurer: What I can already say is that I am still doing issues management and strategy consulting for the Basel Chemical Industry (BCI) in connection with the increasingly important problem of contaminated sites.
Will you also include private companies in your portfolio?
Maurer: Definitely. I am well anchored in the e-business scene through First Tuesday, for example. Companies from the IT and telecommunications sectors remain an issue, along with the healthcare sector.
Thomas C. Maurer & Partner wants to focus on strategic consulting and the positioning of companies and organizations. The networking of experience, expertise and creativity is essential for this. Where do you get the necessary know-how from?
Maurer: I have a little faith in myself. I have a lot of experience and a certain reputation in this field. And if you don't have the ambition to build up an agency with 30 people within three years, which I don't have, I think that's enough. I am convinced that there is a need and space for a discreet, small but fine communications agency.
You emphasize the special relationships that your agency has in the federal capital and in federal politics. Can you describe these in more detail?
Maurer: As a former federal civil servant and head of film promotion, later as a political television journalist and then also as a supervisor of mandates from various departments, I am familiar with the milieu and know many people from the administration and parliament.
In addition to individual advice and personal support, you also mention discretion as a trademark. Aren't these USPs that practically all PR agencies use?
Maurer: Yes. But as soon as an agency reaches a certain size, there is often a lack of personal advice. This is reflected in the constant complaints about our industry. During the acquisition and the great presentations, you see the big cracks, and soon only the second or third set turn up at the client's premises. And I clearly want to avoid this, because it does not lead to a far-sighted, sustainable business policy.
Elisabeth Zölch has an excellent network as a member of the cantonal government and Director of Economic Affairs. A potential source for your communications agency?
Maurer: Ms. Zölch is of course part of my personal circle of acquaintances. But that won't play any role at all in connection with the agency's acquisition activities. On the contrary: you have to be absolutely correct here - in our mutual interest. However, it is of course useful to know such people. For example, you can establish contacts more easily and directly for existing customers. For example, when it comes to investment decisions. But ultimately, the focus will always be on quality. The quality of the product. And also the quality of communication. Interview: Luca Aloisi
The former partner and managing director of Trimedia Communications, Thomas C. Maurer, has set up his own communications consultancy. On August 1, he will open his own agency in Bern "on a joint platform with media lawyer Franz A. Zölch".
What made you decide to become self-employed?
Thomas C. Maurer: The challenge and the desire to do something new and original. And to devote more time to my traditional field, consulting. Trimedia's fee volume has grown by around 70 percent during my four years at the agency and has reached a size that logically entailed a shift to acquisition and recruitment. In future, I want to focus more on quality than quantity and take a more serious approach to the mandates I choose myself. This has to do with enjoying my work - and is ultimately also in the interests of the client.
Did you notice a consulting shortcoming in Bern that made you choose the federal capital as the domicile for your communications agency?
Maurer: First of all, I think that it is becoming less and less important where you are physically located. I'm always everywhere and nowhere. We can meet with customers on shared electronic platforms, for example. I was already responsible for the Trimedia office in Bern and was on the management board of the Zurich and Lugano offices. As a result, I was in Berne about as often as I was in Zurich. I chose Bern for personal reasons and because my family lives here. Of course, I see a certain potential in terms of political PR mandates from the federal government. As I know my way around this area quite well and have already handled mandates for Trimedia from the FDJP, the FDFA and the FOPH, for example, I will certainly continue to do so in the future.
Who else is involved in the new communications agency besides you, and how many employees are you starting with?
Maurer: I am the sole owner and am only starting with one assistant. I am in talks with other people. But because my company is integrated into a pool, I'm not completely alone. I have the opportunity to get resources and support there.
You mention the joint platform with media lawyer Franz A. Zölch. Which areas will he be responsible for?
Maurer: First of all, this is a local and infrastructure platform. We will support each other in the acquisition and placement of mandates, with him looking after the legal side and me the communications side. In this respect, our services complement each other. You also have to remember that many legal disputes are ultimately communication problems.
What other synergies will arise from this close collaboration?
Maurer: In addition to connecting the two large personal networks, additional potential can be achieved in the areas of brainstorming and creativity in particular.
Which interface will you serve in addition to the political institutions?
Maurer: What I can already say is that I am still doing issues management and strategy consulting for the Basel Chemical Industry (BCI) in connection with the increasingly important problem of contaminated sites.
Will you also include private companies in your portfolio?
Maurer: Definitely. I am well anchored in the e-business scene through First Tuesday, for example. Companies from the IT and telecommunications sectors remain an issue, along with the healthcare sector.
Thomas C. Maurer & Partner wants to focus on strategic consulting and the positioning of companies and organizations. The networking of experience, expertise and creativity is essential for this. Where do you get the necessary know-how from?
Maurer: I have a little faith in myself. I have a lot of experience and a certain reputation in this field. And if you don't have the ambition to build up an agency with 30 people within three years, which I don't have, I think that's enough. I am convinced that there is a need and space for a discreet, small but fine communications agency.
You emphasize the special relationships that your agency has in the federal capital and in federal politics. Can you describe these in more detail?
Maurer: As a former federal civil servant and head of film promotion, later as a political television journalist and then also as a supervisor of mandates from various departments, I am familiar with the milieu and know many people from the administration and parliament.
In addition to individual advice and personal support, you also mention discretion as a trademark. Aren't these USPs that practically all PR agencies use?
Maurer: Yes. But as soon as an agency reaches a certain size, there is often a lack of personal advice. This is reflected in the constant complaints about our industry. During the acquisition and the great presentations, you see the big cracks, and soon only the second or third set turn up at the client's premises. And I clearly want to avoid this, because it does not lead to a far-sighted, sustainable business policy.
Elisabeth Zölch has an excellent network as a member of the cantonal government and Director of Economic Affairs. A potential source for your communications agency?
Maurer: Ms. Zölch is of course part of my personal circle of acquaintances. But that won't play any role at all in connection with the agency's acquisition activities. On the contrary: you have to be absolutely correct here - in our mutual interest. However, it is of course useful to know such people. For example, you can establish contacts more easily and directly for existing customers. For example, when it comes to investment decisions. But ultimately, the focus will always be on quality. The quality of the product. And also the quality of communication. Interview: Luca Aloisi
