New group discusses brand-financed entertainment formats

 A newly formed and prominent Swiss interest group wants to take a closer look at forms of entertainment that are financed by brands. The "Branded Entertainment Circle" is made up of exponents from the media, marketing and entertainment sectors and met for the first time this week. According to a press release, the group aims to drive forward the discussion on branded entertainment, which is both "profitable and polarizing". The initiators are OMD Switzerland CEO Christof Kaufmann and Rod co-owner Regula Fecker. According to them, the Circle should be diverse and not represent the particular interests of the industry. In addition to discussions in small groups, regular public presentations are also planned. In addition to Fecker and Kaufmann, the members of the group are: Claudio Ammann, Managing Director Sony Overseas; Hannes Britschgi, Head of Ringier TV Ringier; Roger Crotti, Managing Director Buena Vista International; Urs Heller, Publishing Director Schweizer Illustrierte; Marcel Kohler, Managing Director 20 Minuten; Ivo Sacchi, Managing Director Universal Music; Res Strehle, Deputy Editor-in-Chief Tages-Anzeiger.