Futur(e)s strikes sail
The Western Swiss new-economy newspaper lacked advertisers
The New Economy newspaper in French-speaking Switzerland lacked advertisersThe New Economy crisis has claimed another print victim: after just eight issues, the French-speaking Swiss Futur(e)s by L'Agefi publisher Alain Fabarez has ceased publication. In just two months, the third print product on the subject of the new economy has already pulled the plug: first SwissOnline's customer magazine Netlife pulled the plug, followed shortly afterwards by Internet Standard (WW 22/01) and now Futur(e)s.
The monthly magazine published by the L'Agefi publishing group was launched in October last year full of optimism, even though the downturn in the new economy was already well advanced. Futur(e)s had a unique concept for Switzerland: the business magazine was produced in two different versions for both the Swiss and French markets. The editorial team was spread across two locations - Paris and Lausanne. With around twenty employees, the French unit was more highly staffed than the western Swiss editorial team, which employed eight people. But even this two-country concept did not survive its baptism of fire.
Alain Fabarez is still hoping for a buyer
Alain Fabarez, head of the L'Agefi publishing group, cites the same reasons for the discontinuation that had also dealt Netlife and Internet Standard an early death blow: the slump in the New Economy advertising market and the rapidly growing general skepticism about the New Economy, which had been highly praised just a year ago.
Despite the extremely difficult environment, Fabarez does not want to bury his magazine for good just yet. He is currently on the lookout for another publisher who could take over the magazine. However, in view of the poor market situation in the new economy, this is likely to be difficult.
According to the publishing group L'Agefi, the launch of Futur(e)s cost it around four million francs. This put pressure on last year's profit, which fell from 1.82 to 0.88 million francs compared to 1999. Daniel Schifferle
The monthly magazine published by the L'Agefi publishing group was launched in October last year full of optimism, even though the downturn in the new economy was already well advanced. Futur(e)s had a unique concept for Switzerland: the business magazine was produced in two different versions for both the Swiss and French markets. The editorial team was spread across two locations - Paris and Lausanne. With around twenty employees, the French unit was more highly staffed than the western Swiss editorial team, which employed eight people. But even this two-country concept did not survive its baptism of fire.
Alain Fabarez is still hoping for a buyer
Alain Fabarez, head of the L'Agefi publishing group, cites the same reasons for the discontinuation that had also dealt Netlife and Internet Standard an early death blow: the slump in the New Economy advertising market and the rapidly growing general skepticism about the New Economy, which had been highly praised just a year ago.
Despite the extremely difficult environment, Fabarez does not want to bury his magazine for good just yet. He is currently on the lookout for another publisher who could take over the magazine. However, in view of the poor market situation in the new economy, this is likely to be difficult.
According to the publishing group L'Agefi, the launch of Futur(e)s cost it around four million francs. This put pressure on last year's profit, which fell from 1.82 to 0.88 million francs compared to 1999. Daniel Schifferle
