Federal Councilor Doris Leuthard opened the remodeled and renovated Ringier Pressehaus

In her opening speech at the Grand Opening, Leuthard called for media companies to diversify today. This is part of economic freedom and a downright entrepreneurial duty. "However, media companies have a special responsibility. Media are not just a commodity, but entertainment and civic education at the same time."

Doris Leuthard built a bridge from the art in the foyer to the journalism in the building: "Art is celebrated in the entrance, journalism is practiced on the upper floor. Art becomes journalism, where messages are painted with a brush - journalism becomes art, where clever headlines are chiseled out of mountains of files."

Federal Councillor Kurt Furgler had opened the Ringier Press House in 1978 with a quote from the French writer and philosopher Albert Camus - Federal Councillor Doris Leuthard did the same and closed her much applauded speech with the Camus quote "Happiness and success are only given to those who generously agree to share both".

In her welcoming address to the opening guests, Zurich's Mayor Corine Mauch emphasized that Zurich's future as a media capital is secure as long as the media companies tackle the major challenges facing the media industry with innovation, openness to new ideas and investment in the future. Ringier is the best example of this. Corine Mauch: "This can be seen at Ringier not only in the example of the Pressehaus, but also in the Digital Zurich 2025 initiative launched by Ringier CEO Marc Walder - the initiative will have an impact beyond the industry and will benefit Zurich as a business location as a whole." At the Grand Opening, Mauch conveyed the best wishes of Zurich City Council for Ringier's plans for the future.

Ringier CEO Marc Walder called on the guests to "perceive digital development as a historic opportunity, not as a disruptive threat". "What is needed is entrepreneurial courage, a willingness to innovate and political foresight," said Marc Walder. The successful conversion of the Pressehaus should stand for this.

While more than 500 Ringier employees had already celebrated their own Grand Opening the day before, with Swiss singer-songwriter Bastian Baker providing the musical entertainment, Belgian superstar Milow performed as a surprise guest on Thursday.

The current, extensive refurbishment began in December 2014. In addition to the new, large Energy Flagship Studio on the first floor and The Studio café-bar managed by Kramer Gastronomie with a small show stage and a view directly into the radio studio, The Gallery meeting zone was created alongside the redesigned foyer and the new reception desk by the famous British object artist Liam Gillick: a new meeting point for employees, waiting area for guests, meeting location and exhibition area for exhibits from the Ringier collection all in one.