Viva and Galledia will join forces effective January 1, 2027. This merger brings together two companies whose expertise, networks, and market positions are designed to complement one another—with the shared goal of creating greater impact and opportunities for customers. Viva AG für Kommunikation will continue to operate as an operationally independent unit under the leadership of Managing Director Rolf Loepfe within the galledia group ag.

Continuation of a long-standing partnership

The merger of Viva and Galledia is the continuation of a long-standing partnership that was already evident in August 2024 with Viva’s acquisition of Galledia’s publication «Autosprint.» According to the press release, both companies have the media business in their blood. Viva and Galledia produce and distribute content—in print, digital, and through events.

According to the press release, strategy, content, design, and technology are all intertwined. Viva provides strategic communications consulting, brand positioning, and journalistically sound content—from creation to implementation. Viva helps organizations convey their services and values, provide direction, further develop their brands, make complex topics understandable, and effectively communicate change. Galledia offers publishing expertise, reach across approximately fifty media brands, graphic and digital production facilities, and expertise in the field of AI-powered media.

Carefully Planned Succession Plan

The merger is the result of a process undertaken as part of the succession planning for Viva owner and Board Chairman Georg Gasser, who stepped down from day-to-day operations in the summer of 2024 to join the Board of Directors after 40 years at the helm of Viva. With the Galledia solution, he achieved his goal of handing the agency over to a new owner who shares the same entrepreneurial values—reliability, customer focus, and quality—and offers Viva employees prospects for the future.

Urs Schneider, Chairman of the Galledia Board of Directors, will take over the chairmanship from Georg Gasser effective January 1, 2027. In the spirit of close ties and continuity, Georg Gasser and Bianca Gasser—daughter of Viva founder Georg Gasser—will remain on the Board of Directors of Viva AG. In addition, Daniel Ettlinger, CEO of galledia group ag, will join the Viva Board of Directors. For Viva’s customers, the merger means, above all, more opportunities while maintaining the quality and continuity they’ve come to expect. In the future, they will benefit from the Galledia Group’s expanded network and additional resources—while Viva retains its operational independence.

Reactions to the Merger of Viva and Galledia

Georg Gasser, founder of Viva, says: «In Galledia, we have a strong partner that believes in the Viva team and wants to continue growing with it. This gives me the confidence that Viva will remain in good hands in the future.»

Urs Schneider, Chairman of the Board of Directors of galledia group ag, says: «Viva is the perfect addition to our portfolio: With its consulting and content expertise, it strengthens our publishing brands and opens up new areas of growth for us.»

The Galledia Group, the largest independent media company in Eastern Switzerland, operates at nine locations and employs 350 people. In addition to numerous trade and association publications, the company includes three local daily newspapers, several online publications, graphic production facilities, a digital and software agency, and two event agencies. Viva AG combines strategic consulting and brand management with journalistic expertise, creativity, digital expertise, and implementation, with particular experience in the fields of energy and mobility, healthcare, real estate, and sports and fitness.

Responsible at Viva AG for communication: Georg Gasser, Chairman of the Board of Directors; Rolf Loepfe, Managing Director. Person in charge at galledia group ag: Urs Schneider, Chairman of the Board of Directors; Daniel Ettlinger, CEO.