Somedia: Annual profit at previous year's level
Despite a decline in revenue, Somedia was able to increase its cash flow and achieve an annual profit on par with the previous year. The focus for the coming months will be on moving into the new media center in Chur.
The 2013 media year was not a very successful one across the industry. Advertising revenues continued to decline throughout Switzerland and the circulation figures of the major newspapers are also crumbling. Somedia, the media company to which Werbewoche also belongs, was able to hold its own in the market, as CEO Andrea Masüger writes in a statement. Although sales declined, cash flow improved by CHF 2.5 million compared to the previous year. The annual profit is roughly the same as in 2012.
In the future, Somedia will strengthen its convergence strategy with daily newspaper, radio, TV and online. These will be combined into the convergent media brand "Südostschweiz" by next year. In addition, the proven line of local newspapers, free newspapers and the Bündner Tagblatt will be continued. In the service sector, a strong brand for advertising sales has been created with Somedia Promotion, and a powerful presence has been launched with Somedia Production for the print shop, web agency and video production. The portfolio also includes numerous magazines and book publishing.
After the Bündner Tagblatt received a new layout last year, a relaunch of Südostschweiz will follow in the coming months. This will include content and graphic innovations that will reflect the new convergent media brand. As a result, both of Somedia's German-language daily newspapers will have a contemporary and modern appearance, without throwing their tradition overboard. Radio and television will also prepare for the new media brand with content and visual innovations.
Construction of the new media building in Chur is well advanced. The shell is currently under construction up to the second floor. Thanks to the good weather during the winter months, the schedule has been well met. The media building is scheduled for completion at the end of this year. The relocation of employees from the four current locations in Chur and the surrounding area to the new workplaces in the media house is planned for the beginning of 2015, with full commissioning scheduled for March.
