Leone Ming, owner and managing director of the eponymous agency in Schaan, Liechtenstein. Eight employees, founded in 2001, specialized in brands. Like his entire agency, Ming is currently in his home office. Nevertheless, he visits his empty agency premises every day.
Werbewoche.ch: How long have you been in a home office?
Leone Ming: Since March 16, 2020.
Is your entire agency located in a home office?
Yes. I go to the office every day and, among other things, I also change my job from CD to "girl for everything": incoming mail, mailing, watering flowers... etc.
What all do you need to be able to do your job?
MacBook, mobile, espresso, my team zoomed and always fresh air.
Is it difficult to separate yourself enough when the children are at home?
My two children have already flown the coop. But a videotalk with them is a pleasant interlude.
Do you have home office experience or is this a first?
As an entrepreneur, it's part of the job to take work home from time to time. However, working from home to this extent is also a new experience for me.
Based on previous experience: Which processes are difficult compared to the normal everyday life of an agency?
The constructive dialog with the creation or the PM is missing. In addition, a new idea can suddenly emerge from a small talk as if from nowhere. This contact is missing.
One of our tasks is to think far ahead to come up with creative ideas for the future. The pandemic will massively change our lives, making it difficult to guess how people will "feel and think" in a few months.
Which jobs go smoothly?
Due to the technology and the access possibilities, the processes run in familiar structures. The video meetings are efficient and productive. I also sense a great willingness to help and great motivation in the team.
Is there anything that even works easier or more productively in the home office?
Due to my "open-door policy", I am often contacted by my team in the normal agency day. These "interruptions" are completely absent at the moment; that means I feel a higher efficiency because I'm not distracted. It feels more focused and productive.
What do they do to keep the ceiling from falling on your head?
Go for a jog. Play music at the relaxation desk. Cooking a lot and with variety. Keeping my team in a good mood.
As we all know, everything has its positive sides. What is it in your current home office situation?
Home office is by no means the oasis many dream of. It is certainly not suitable for every type of character. Nevertheless, I am convinced that we will emerge stronger from the crisis. For me, the absolutely positive thing is that I feel an even stronger sense of togetherness in the team despite the home office distance.
What would you like to give your colleagues in the industry to take with them through the crisis?
The C19 momentum gives work-life balance a whole new perspective. Work life and private life become blurred. This can work for a certain time. But probably not in the long run. Everyday life at the agency will be different after the crisis. I'm sure that our new working methods will open up completely new tools for creativity, and this will benefit our customers above all.
Did you face any technical issues while setting up your workstation?
Software-wise, there were no problems. The laptop screen was then already too small for me. So I reactivated an old screen at home. In addition, the chairs at home are not suitable for a whole working day.
Where have you set up?
I have two workstations. A small office desk in a separate room. But most of the time I'm at the big dining table. The space and light are more pleasant here.
What do you miss most about the physical day-to-day life at the agency?
My team. The personal contact is enormously lacking. The small talk in the hallway. The fun in the kitchen. The coffee break standing up. To fill the emptiness in the agency premises with life, I have stuck the home office photos of my employees on the respective workstations. That way, I can also give a symbolic toast to my team.
The coronavirus has society firmly in its grip. Those who can stay at home, stay at home. The advertising and communications industry is also shifting operations to the home office on a large scale. With the series "Greetings from the home office," Werbewoche.ch sheds light on everyday working life within the four walls of one's home.
Published so far:
- Episode 1: Peter Brönnimann, Publicis
- Episode 2: Daniel Zuberbühler, Sir Mary
- Episode 3: Christoph Bürge, Butcher Rottmann Bürge
- Episode 4: Jeff Gerber, Comet
- Episode 5: Roman Reichelt, Credit Suisse
- Episode 6: Markus Hammer, Equipe
- Episode 7: Frank Bodin, Bodin Consulting
- Episode 8: Michi Frank, Goldbach Group
- Episode 9: Gioia Bozzato, ADC Switzerland
- Episode 10: Michael Kamm, Agence Trio
- Episode 11: Katja Metz, Leo Burnett
- Episode 12: Karin Estermann, Content and Form
Stamps from Liechtenstein have been ambassadors for the country for decades, but they are also a reflection of the times and miniature works of art. When designing a mini-picture, the main requirement is to "leave things out": to concentrate on the essentials, so to speak. The result is a unique piece, not only in terms of design, but above all in terms of printing technology in the smallest of spaces.
The special stamp "Lichtspiel" allows viewers to carry out three experiments related to the aforementioned Unesco anniversary:
- Firstly, the background of the stamp glows in the dark thanks to fluorescent paint if it has previously been illuminated by the sun;
- second, viewers can recognize the microperforation in the paper as soon as they hold the stamp in front of a light source;
- thirdly, the pink gradient in the background of the sphere is printed with a special ink. When exposed to UV light, the color changes from pink to violet.
Unesco: International Year of Light
The United Nations has declared 2015 the International Year of Light. Light is an elementary prerequisite for life for humans, animals and plants and is therefore also a central subject in science and culture. Scientific findings about light have led, among other things, to a deeper understanding of the planetary system, better treatment options in medicine and the invention of new means of communication. The key role of light in research and culture is to be honored in an "International Year of Light" in 2015. In addition, a "Day of Light" will address both light pollution and the saving of light. Under the motto "Light for Change", Unesco and its partners want to encourage projects to improve the quality of life in developing countries through affordable, energy-efficient light sources.
Responsible at Post: Norbert Hasler, Stefan Erne. Responsible at Leone Ming: Leone Ming (creative direction, concept), Christine Böhmwalder (art direction, consulting), Till Köhnlein (graphics), Lisa Ruggenthaler (project management).
As a strategy-driven brand agency, Leone Ming has focused on branding and brand communication. Over the past 14 years, 199 corporate identities or product brands have been developed. The agency from Liechtenstein has launched a competition to design the 200th corporate design. Specifically: the 200th corporate design will be raffled off.
To take part in the competition, three logos designed by the agency must be recognized. The entire campaign has been implemented with a cross-media campaign. In addition to traditional advertising media such as advertisements and posters, web banners, social media, POS media and guerrilla measures were also used. Among other things, 8000 beer mats were distributed, which can be used as registration forms. Interested parties can also register directly on the F12 poster or drop their business card in a box at the F12. The campaign runs until April 15, 2015.
Responsible at Leone Ming: Leone Ming (creative direction, concept), Christine Böhmwalder (art direction, consulting), Fabienne Dosch (graphics), Sabine Frommelt (project management).
The chosen slogan "tailor-made pension fund" is intended to emphasize the core competence of the pension foundation. The slogan expresses the fact that Profond only provides its clients with tailor-made solutions, i.e. "made-to-measure instead of off-the-shelf", the agency said in a press release on Wednesday. In its current campaign, Profond Liechtenstein is working with children from cultural, sporting and educational institutions in Liechtenstein. The main protagonist of the first campaign is Tina, a pupil at the elementary school in Schaan.
The agency mandate included the development of a communication concept and a cross-media information campaign as well as the design of various advertising materials (folders, advertisements, posters, radio spots, homepage, direct mailing, PR reports, giveaways and advertising banners).
Responsible at Profond: Michel Haldemann (Managing Director), Michaela Wüst. Responsible at Leone Ming: Leone Ming (Creative Direction), Christine Böhmwalder (Art Direction), Fabian Büchel (Graphics), Marielle Beusch (Graphics), Kathrin Konzett (Project Management, Production), Sarah Kohl (Concept, Text).
Diction works for large network agencies as well as one-man shows in Switzerland, Austria and Germany. With this campaign, Diction is now aiming to raise its profile in Liechtenstein and gain a sustainable foothold, according to a press release from the agency.
The agency mandate includes the conception of the entire advertising campaign as well as the design and implementation of various communication measures, including F12 posters, direct mailings, advertisements, multimedia and various printed materials.
Responsible at Diction: Roger Koch (owner). Responsible at Leone Ming: Leone Ming (creative direction), Sarah Kohl (concept, text), Andreas Schenkel (graphics), Sabine Hert (project management, production).
