NZZ launches newspaper for young people

For the first issue, the young editorial team tackled the topic of big data. On Saturday, the youth newspaper NZZ Toolbox will be published for the first time, the majority of whose creators are no older than 20. NZZ Toolbox is aimed at a readership aged 15 to 19. After NZZ.at, NZZ Geschichte and NZZ Selekt, NZZ Toolbox is the fourth new product to be launched by NZZ this year. NZZ Toolbox is included in the Saturday edition of the Neue Zürcher Zeitung at least four times a year and is intended to introduce a young target group to the NZZ world. Thanks to an exclusive partnership with the Zurich Banking Association Foundation, NZZ Toolbox is free of advertising.

By young people for young people

NZZ Toolbox was developed together with young people from the very beginning. They were involved in setting the topics and developing the layout. Ronald Schenkel, Head of Future Audience: "When we had the idea for a youth newspaper, it was clear to us that we could only realize such a project in close cooperation with young people. We held various workshops to find out how young readers perceive the information on offer. We discovered that they are definitely interested in events that move the world. However, they are mainly confronted with media that simplify topics inappropriately or simply do not give them access." NZZ Toolbox closes a gap in the Swiss media market by addressing a key point of criticism from the target readership. Existing journalistic offerings are not clear enough for young readers and often require too much knowledge. NZZ Toolbox sees itself as a toolbox that equips its readers with the information they need to have a say on important topics from the fields of politics, economics, ecology, society and culture and to follow them up. Each issue is therefore dedicated to a key topic. The editorial team explains the most important terms, backgrounds and players and prepares the topic journalistically with questions relevant to the target group.

Big Data in a fresh layout

The first issue of the new youth supplement is dedicated to the topic of big data. The young journalists have examined the various facets of big data with an open mind. Experienced NZZ editors accompanied and supported them in the research and implementation of the articles. The result: research on the value of a personal online profile in the digital age, an article on the work that normal users do for large companies, a Whatsapp interview with a young fiber optic cable operator, a graphic on the world's largest data centers and much more. The layout of NZZ Toolbox is deliberately simple and impresses with its clear reader guidance and meaningful images. The fresh design was developed by the graphic design duo Völlm + Walthert in collaboration with young people aged between 15 and 19.

Scientific interest in NZZ Toolbox

The new youth supplement has already aroused scientific interest before its launch. Five students from the Institute for Systemic Management and Public Governance (IMP) at the University of St. Gallen are investigating how young people would like to be addressed by the NZZ. The research project, which will run for a total of three semesters, is now halfway through. Ronald Schenkel, Head of Future Audience: "We will use the results of this study to continuously develop our product and tailor it even more precisely to the needs of the young target group."

Print and digital

Young people read print products when they are available. That's why "NZZ Toolbox" is published as a print supplement to the Saturday edition of the "Neue Zürcher Zeitung" and will therefore be available to the whole family at the weekend. The e-paper is also available as a download on the CYP.ch platform for apprentices from the banking sector. A direct exchange on current and future topics also takes place on various social media platforms: Facebook.com/nzztoolbox, Instagram.com/nzztoolbox and in a Whatsapp group NZZ Toolbox (save 079 193 93 79 on your smartphone and send the message "Start").