Swiss Leading Agencies arrives in 2004

Association policy PR and BSW agencies to march together from January 1, 2004 The Federation of Public Relations Agencies in Switzerland (BPRA) intends to complete the merger with the Federation of Swiss Advertising Agencies (BSW) in the fall. The new unified association is expected to be called "Swiss Leading Agencies" and will become active on January 1, 2004. It will include 110 agencies with a combined workforce of 2,400, generating around half a billion francs in added value. Whether the president will come from the PR or advertising agencies remains to be seen. What is certain, however, is that he will remain in office for longer than one year. Dominique von Matt as BSW President has currently been elected for one year, Ulrich Bollmann as BPRA President for an indefinite period. The net fee turnover of the agencies covered fell by "only" seven million francs from 113.4 million francs in 2001 to 104.4 million francs in 2002. The Big Five lost the most in fees. The ranking remains unchanged with Farner PR and Consulting at the top, followed by Trimedia Communications, Wirz Corporate Communications, Burson-Marsteller and (not in the association) Peter Bütikofer & Company.
DBCOM, Lausanne, Vector Communications, Zurich, and Pr Access, Berne, joined the association in 2002. Toby Rodes in Basel left the association. At the members' meeting on April 23, Zahner & Partner, St. Gallen, and Creafactory, Zug, were admitted to the BPRA for 2003. The association now has 23 members.
(pan)