Hanspeter Lebrument expands his power
New Ownership Structure at the Südostschweiz Media Group
New ownership structure at Südostschweiz MediengruppeThe Chur-based Südostschweiz Mediengruppe (SMG) has reorganized its ownership structure. Werner Gasser, the last representative of the Gasser publishing family, has sold his shares and left the company. The position has been strengthened by publisher Hanspeter Lebrument. For the first time, SMG also presented figures.The share package of Werner Gasser, the brother of the late Chur publisher Rudolf Gasser, has taken over the SMG management. To this end, publisher Hanspeter Lebrument, who has been with the group for 29 years, founded Südostschweiz Kader AG together with directors Alois Bearth, Andrea Götz, Andrea Masüger and Jürg Räber. The company holds 59 percent of the capital and 40 percent of the voting rights in SMG. Lebrument, in turn, is the majority shareholder in Südostschweiz Kader AG.
As a result, the shares of SMG, which among other things publishes the association title Südostschweiz with a circulation of 140,000 copies, have been bundled in a stock corporation and two foundations since June 1. The Gebrüder Gasser Foundation holds 52 percent of the voting rights and 3 percent of the capital, the Betty and Rudolf Gasser Foundation holds 38 percent of the capital and 8 percent of the voting rights.
In fact, however, these relationships play a subordinate role, because identical management bodies were appointed for the two foundations, the management company and the entire holding company: Lebrument exercises all presidential functions, Bearth and the Chur lawyer Andrea von Rechenberg are members of the foundation boards and the boards of directors.
For the first time, SMG has also published corporate figures. Last year, it generated sales of around 118 million Swiss francs. Cash flow amounted to 9.75 million francs. The two SMG advertising acquisition companies have also changed their names. Grischa-Annoncen, which is responsible for newspaper and Internet advertising, is now called Südostschweiz Publicitas AG, and the company responsible for TV and radio advertising is now called Südostschweiz Grischa Com AG.
Lebrument explained to Werbewoche that SMG is working towards combining all its commitments in the electronic media in a separate division. For licensing reasons, however, discussions with the Federal Office of Communications would still have to be held. Markus Knöpfli
As a result, the shares of SMG, which among other things publishes the association title Südostschweiz with a circulation of 140,000 copies, have been bundled in a stock corporation and two foundations since June 1. The Gebrüder Gasser Foundation holds 52 percent of the voting rights and 3 percent of the capital, the Betty and Rudolf Gasser Foundation holds 38 percent of the capital and 8 percent of the voting rights.
In fact, however, these relationships play a subordinate role, because identical management bodies were appointed for the two foundations, the management company and the entire holding company: Lebrument exercises all presidential functions, Bearth and the Chur lawyer Andrea von Rechenberg are members of the foundation boards and the boards of directors.
For the first time, SMG has also published corporate figures. Last year, it generated sales of around 118 million Swiss francs. Cash flow amounted to 9.75 million francs. The two SMG advertising acquisition companies have also changed their names. Grischa-Annoncen, which is responsible for newspaper and Internet advertising, is now called Südostschweiz Publicitas AG, and the company responsible for TV and radio advertising is now called Südostschweiz Grischa Com AG.
Lebrument explained to Werbewoche that SMG is working towards combining all its commitments in the electronic media in a separate division. For licensing reasons, however, discussions with the Federal Office of Communications would still have to be held. Markus Knöpfli
