It's actually astonishing: BPR is known nationally in the business world, but hardly anyone knows what the abbreviation BPR means, according to the press release. BPR stands for "Bischof Public Relations", or rather: it stood for it when Marcel F. Bischof founded BPR in 1991. The founder has long since left the company, but the abbreviation has remained - even when the current owner and CEO Andreas Schweiss took over the company in 2012. Under his leadership, the St. Gallen-based full-service agency has grown from ten to 40 employees. BPR's clients are at home in various industries and regions - from large retailers to local car garages. And as different as these companies are, they have one thing in common. On Monday, they receive mail from a company they have never heard of: Ka Boom. Ka stands for communications agency, Boom for upswing.
CEO and company owner Andreas Schweiss put it in a nutshell: "Having so many people together in such a convivial gathering is a phenomenal experience." And indeed, there was an almost family-like atmosphere. Over vodka martinis, participants enjoyed a sumptuous aperitif and clearly had fun at the photo box set up especially for the event. Although the customers represented almost all industries from retail to healthcare, one quickly got the feeling that James Bond brought all the participants together. There were lively discussions about who was the best actor and which Bond girl best suited the double-zero agent - and even after the film, satisfied guests streamed out of the specially rented cinema hall, talking shop.
A pleasant indoor climate is essential for well-being. Krüger is convinced of this. The company, which operates throughout Switzerland and has 230 employees, offers a comprehensive range of products in the fields of dehumidification, heating, cooling and renovation.
With the image film directed by Ari Zehnder, Krüger expresses what the company is there for. The focus is not on the products and services, but on the customers who want an optimal indoor climate. The film is used in the context of presentations and events as well as online.
Chris Imfeld is a new addition as Creative Director and member of the Executive Board. According to the statement, he has many years of experience in both the analog and digital advertising industries and will drive BPR forward with his creative ideas.
The consulting team has been expanded with Remco Kooijmans as senior consultant and Ilknur Kazan as junior consultant. Remco Kooijmans has been working in strategic business and communications consulting for several years. Ilknur Kazan studied journalism and communication science at the University of Zurich. Both consultants will actively support BPR with their expertise from now on.
In the last two years, BPR has created nearly two new jobs every month. With just under 40 employees, the full-service agency is now one of the largest in eastern Switzerland. Further growth is envisaged, according to the press release.
Whether sports, culture or politics: what happens in Bern rarely attracts attention in the rest of the world. One exception is the International Jazz Festival, which Hans Zurbrügg has presided over as founder and president since 1976. "For decades, Hans Zurbrügg and his festival have been playing in the Champions League and carrying the name of the city of Bern all over the world," said BPRG President Cla Martin Caflisch during the award ceremony. Thanks to his work and his contacts, Bern becomes the European jazz capital for ten weeks every year.
With its presence - also in international media - the International Jazz Festival achieves a very wide reach. The BPRG is also impressed by the many years of continuity and the great passion that characterize Hans Zurbrügg's work. "Anyone who establishes such an event, develops it further and even makes it a trademark of the city of Berne is also a gifted communicator," says BPRG President Cla Martin Caflisch, explaining the choice. Time and again, Hans Zurbrügg manages to attract not only stars from all over the world, but also an international audience to Bern.
Every year, the BPRG awards the Communication Prize to a person who has achieved exceptional communicative achievements without the corresponding professional training. The prize winner receives a specially created work by Bernese artist Kornel Stadler and demonstrates his or her communication skills in a talk with Ueli Schmezer. This year's award ceremony will take place at the original venue of the Bern International Jazz Festival, Marians Jazzroom. For the first time, members of the Werbeclub Bern and the Berner Medien- tag will be present as guests.
Previous award winners
2011 Steff la Cheffe, beatboxer and rapper
2012 Bernd Schildger, Zoo Director
2013 Francis Foss Pauchard, Olmo founder
The agency from eastern Switzerland already serves Aldi Suisse as lead agency and was able to hold its own in the pitch against seven other agencies from Switzerland and Austria. The decisive factor was the successful mix of individual communication tools that BPR proposed for this campaign. The employees of Aldi Suisse are the focus of the campaign. More than 450 employees applied for the internal casting and wanted to convince the jury of themselves. The most suitable employees were selected and put in front of the lens. The result was TV commercials, posters, image ads, web, flyers, brochures and updated job advertisements. Before the first TV spots are shown to the public, a launch event will be held for all Aldi Suisse employees in seven Swiss cinemas. The campaign will start on May 4, 2014.
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Responsible at Aldi Suisse: Reto Furrer (Head of Marketing), Marina Budimir (Project Management), Erika Arnold (Event), Christina Schefer (Web). Responsible at BPR: Andreas Schweiss (CEO), Christoph Huser (Strategy), Simone Agosti (Consulting), Valerie Baumgartner (Art Director), Silvia Nüesch (Text). Photography: Patrick Wittmann Photography, Spot Production Visual Arts: Dennis Ledergerber (Director), Stefan Millius (Producer), Manuel Schneider (Executive Producer), Marcel Baumgartner (Script).
BPR has already been supporting Appenzeller Alpenbitter in trade fair design for around five years, according to a statement on Monday. However, trade fair design is only one of the areas of expertise of the St. Gallen-based advertising agency. Graphic design and integrated communication are just as much a part of its services, with which it now serves Appenzeller Alpenbitter.
"The presentation was simply impressive. BPR skilfully came up with a redesign and very creative campaign ideas, but realistic in terms of implementation, always with a view to maximizing brand recognition and further development," says Stefan Maegli, CEO Appenzeller Alpenbitter, explaining the decision.
