Netz.Lokalpresse.ch helps small publishers
The company Netz.Lokalpresse.ch is set to begin supporting SME publishers this fall. The planned service company was initiated by Guido Blumer, publisher of the Winterthur Stadtblatt, and Franz Zölch, a media lawyer from Bern.
The company Netz.Lokalpresse.ch is to support SME publishers from the fall. The planned service company was initiated by Winterthur Stadtblatt publisher Guido Blumer and Bernese media lawyer Franz Zölch. "We want to support small publishers in all matters," Blumer told Werbewoche, confirming a report by the industry service Kleinreport. "But this is anything but a new association". Netz.Lokalpresse.ch will be set up as a limited company and will help SME publishers with various services. Whether it's exchanging texts, looking for staff, designing a new website or managing the IT infrastructure outside the company: The organization should be able to offer advice.
The initiators have written to around 70 publishers and will present their model to them at a founding meeting. "Of course, we hope that as many as possible will be there," says Blumer. The company is to be financed by the agency fees for the individual services; the founding capital is expected to come from the member publishers.
"Our aim is not to compete with the publishers' association," explained Blumer, who is himself a member of the Schweizer Presse executive committee. Instead, he hopes that other SME publishers will decide to join. "But we want to create an organization that will help small publishers retain their independence. In contrast to the large media houses, which are currently merging." The move comes in response to numerous comments from SME publishers that they feel they need a supportive network.
It is still unclear who will take over the management of Netz.Lokalpresse.ch. The organization will be operational from September. The website at Netzlokalpresse.ch will be launched on August 1.
The initiators have written to around 70 publishers and will present their model to them at a founding meeting. "Of course, we hope that as many as possible will be there," says Blumer. The company is to be financed by the agency fees for the individual services; the founding capital is expected to come from the member publishers.
"Our aim is not to compete with the publishers' association," explained Blumer, who is himself a member of the Schweizer Presse executive committee. Instead, he hopes that other SME publishers will decide to join. "But we want to create an organization that will help small publishers retain their independence. In contrast to the large media houses, which are currently merging." The move comes in response to numerous comments from SME publishers that they feel they need a supportive network.
It is still unclear who will take over the management of Netz.Lokalpresse.ch. The organization will be operational from September. The website at Netzlokalpresse.ch will be launched on August 1.
