Watson Romandie goes online next March
AZ Medien is expanding into French-speaking Switzerland with the internet portal Watson. From March 2021, 20 journalists will report from the Lausanne site.
The project was examined in detail, according to the Watson-announcement on Friday. According to managing director and AZ board member Michael Wanner, the positive feedback from the advertising market in particular contributed to the decision.
The financing of the project is secured. However, participation by donors from French-speaking Switzerland is still being sought. Discussions are currently underway with potential partner organizations.
In April, the Aargau publishing house AZ Medien announced that it was examining the establishment of Watson in French-speaking Switzerland (Werbewoche.ch reported). At the end of August, the Board of Directors made the final decision to expand, it is reported.
According to Editor-in-Chief Sandra Jean, the portal's offering is aimed at the active 20 to 40-year-old demographic. Watson will offer a full journalistic program with news, debate and entertainment. She is currently looking for 20 journalists for the Lausanne site. Over 100 applications have already been received within a very short space of time.
According to its own information, Watson is the third-largest advertising-financed news portal in Switzerland. (SDA)
