HandelsZeitung acts

Business Press The Publishing Group
HandelsZeitung, publisher of the newly designed newspaper of the same name
flagship, shows stable readership figures and rising advertising volumes.
This week the HandelsZeitung appeared in
new revision as a Zweibund newspaper with a new focus. The
Financial reporting has been greatly expanded. The paper carries the logo
of the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) in the subheading and is understood to be
in future as the "Swiss business newspaper for companies and finance".
The editorial exchange with the WSJ - previously on the website
now also takes place in the leaf itself in the second fret, where on two
pages of WSJ articles are published (Werbewoche reported on
May 3 online).

How is the publishing house currently positioned? "HandelsZeitung is doing well
good, it is deep in the black," says publisher Ralph Büchi.
In fact - while some business journals had advertising volumes in 2005
HandelsZeitung (HZ) was up 3.8 % according to VSW statistics.
percent, in the first three months of this year it was
even 15 percent. The situation is similar in terms of reach: like other
economic stocks, HZ has also reported significantly fewer
contacts, they fell by 31,000 to 141,000 readers today.
Unlike elsewhere, however, the figures have risen since 2003 - the last
HZ relaunch - stable.

More financial market analyses
Nevertheless, Büchi sees shortcomings. For example, he assesses the current
Financial reporting in the money bundle as "not detailed enough". And
He estimates retail sales at a good 1000 copies per issue.
"capable of growth". Both are now set to change with the new concept. So
financial market analyses will now become a focus in the new HZ.
"But first we wanted a team with the necessary
build up specialist knowledge. That took time," says the publisher. Furthermore
he will now boost retail sales with more kiosk promotions.
After all, the HZ is intended to make up lost ground in terms of range.
recapture. However, Büchi is reluctant to name any specific goals.

In any case, the HZ is not the only good-performing title in the
publishing house belonging to the Axel Springer Group. Last year
Swiss Bank and especially the PME Magazine still have some difficulty in
advertising market, but both made great leaps in the first quarter of 2006:
PME Magazine gained 55 percent and Schweizer Bank 9.6 percent.
Securities such as Schweizer Versicherung, io New Management and Haustech
The latter, however, had already recorded double-digit growth in 2005.

However, Büchi particularly enjoys the fortnightly Stocks
- "the only Swiss investor magazine", as he proudly emphasizes. 2005
the five-year-old title reached the break-even point - and this
year, things are looking good. "March was a record month," says
Büchi. He explains that the trend in reader numbers has been downward
Blurring of Mach Basic for short-run titles. "In the first
In any case, we recorded a 40 % increase in subscription income in the first quarter of 2006.
percent," he says. Kiosk sales have also fallen by around 50 percent.
increased. Stocks is due to change its editor-in-chief in July:
Hansjörg Ryser from the SonntagsZeitung takes over the helm from Reto
Lipp, who is moving to UBS.

A major reorganization was carried out by the Swiss Private Banking (ex
BanqueAssurance) behind them: As in the business world, they took
farewell to the bancassurance concept, and since September it now appears
ten instead of six times a year and with a slightly increased circulation (10000
copies) - realigned for decision-makers in the banks,
asset managers and wealthy private investors. With good success: the
According to VSW statistics, the volume of advertising in the first quarter of 2006
the same period of the previous year by a whopping 114 percent.

HandelsZeitung becomes more mobile

Will the Wall Street Journal articles on handelszeitung.ch
actually read? Ralph Büchi can't give any figures, but some
positive reactions have been received. "Amazing, actually,
because so far we have hardly pushed this - our website corresponds to
no longer state of the art," says Ralph Büchi. This should now change
but change: It will be completely revised by the end of the year. In future
on the web for up-to-date economic and financial information,
current stock market data and extensive databases - and
in such a way that they can also be used or received from mobile devices.
can be.

Markus Knöpfli