NZZ launches new image films with stories and sound branding by Toniq
The NZZ is presenting five new promotional videos that highlight the value of quality journalism. The videos, which cover the topics of democracy, finance, travel, health, and sustainability, were produced in collaboration with the film production company stories, with targeted use of artificial intelligence. The NZZ’s new sound identity is also being used for the first time.
The Neue Zürcher Zeitung is focusing on a wider range of topics and new perspectives with five new image films. The focus is on concrete added value for users - conveyed using selected real content from the NZZ's journalistic portfolio.
From journalistic craft to user benefit
Based on widely read NZZ articles, the five new films take viewers through key topics of our time. They deal with overarching themes such as democracy, finance, travel & discovery, health & life and sustainability & the environment. From the cult of eternal life to the crisis of democracy and the «gender investment gap», relevant topics from different areas of life are covered.
The production builds on the «Made for times of upheaval» campaign launched in 2024, but deliberately changes the perspective. While the focus was previously on the journalistic craft, the new films show the concrete added value for users. «In the new films, we involve our users in the debate and lead it together. The new image films are intended to signalize: NZZ is made for people who want to form an informed opinion in a wide variety of areas of life,» says Ina Bauspiess, Head of Partnerships, Live Events & Branding at NZZ.
Artificial intelligence as a means of production
The project was realized with the film production company stories, which was also responsible for the previous films. The targeted use of artificial intelligence played an important role in the implementation concept. «The people, environments and content are real - this content was implemented on film using AI and completed using traditional post-production tools,» explains Tobias Fueter, Director and Co-Founder of stories. Responsibility for the content and creative precision remain in human hands at all times.
New sound identity strengthens brand experience
Parallel to the films, the NZZ developed its new sound identity with its own sound DNA, sound logo and brand voice with the Toniq Sound Agency. These can be heard for the first time in the image films and make the journalistic claim of the NZZ audibly tangible. «With the new brand assets, we are making it even easier for users to experience our NZZ brand essence in a wide range of products - visually and audibly,» adds Ina Bauspiess. The new sound branding will be integrated into various NZZ products over the coming months.
The five new image films celebrated their premiere at the NZZ Annual General Meeting on April 18, 2026. From May 2026, they will be shown in various lengths on social media, digital out-of-home screens, at events and in cinemas in both Switzerland and Germany.
Responsible at NZZ: Ina Bauspiess (Head of Partnerships, Live Events & Branding), Nina Hildebrand, Olivia Blum (Team NZZ Brand & Creation), Sarah Ziegler (Head of Podcast), Guy Pappstein (Senior Product Designer), Valerio Cerlito (Head of Purchasing & Services / Image Rights), Andreas Gysler, Stella Elenoglou (Revenue Switzerland), Luisa Ender, Maike Scheurer, Laura Rietz (Revenue Germany). Responsible at stories AG: Yves Bollag (Executive Producer), Tobias Fueter (Director), Nicole Spring (Producer). Responsible at Toniq Sound Agency: Ph!L!pp Schweidler (Director Strategy), Alexandra Salomão (Consultant), Florian Goetze (Creative Director), Dominique Dreier (Creation, Audio Postproduction), Kilian Spinnler (Sound Design).
