Frank Keidel has been Senior Communications and Media Relations Manager at Straumann in Basel for a few weeks now. At the company, a global market leader for dental implants and aesthetic dentistry, Keidel now works as a Group spokesperson with a focus on global financial and sustainability communications. He also supports internal communications. A total of six people work in Communications at the Straumann Group. The team is "small but mighty": "Six employees is certainly not excessive in view of sales of more than CHF 2 billion."

The Würzburg native, who has held a Swiss passport for over ten years, knows Straumann from his time as a financial journalist. "I've always found the company exciting." Now he is looking forward to being part of this "35-year success story". When he started in mid-January, the first thing that struck him was the positive corporate culture. When you join the company just before the finalization of the annual report and annual communication, like he did, you get to see all your colleagues in the flesh. "Everyone I've dealt with so far has been unpretentious, collaborative and results-oriented," says the communications specialist. Advertisingweek.ch even elicited a "wow!".

Despite his move to the Rhein-Knie, Keidel will remain in Zurich Witikon with his wife and two children, but has found himself a "pied à terre" in Basel. "I'm looking forward to getting to know the border triangle better. And as a former French high school teacher, I'm particularly looking forward to being able to take the streetcar to France."

Switch from chocolate to dental treatment

Frank Keidel was "Senior Media Relations Manager" at Swiss chocolate manufacturer Barry Callebaut until his resignation last August. As the sole spokesperson at Group level, he was the "go-to guy for everything in external communications". "There was never a dull moment." After the recent change of CEO, the family man, who lives in Zurich, felt it was time for a change. "I have fond memories of the team and the many colleagues at Barry Callebaut, from Zurich to Côte d'Ivoire."

In the past, Frank Keidel has also worked as a media spokesman for Swiss Life, Zurich Switzerland and the Zurich Group. He previously worked as a journalist for Borsalino, Cash.ch, and then for the weekly newspaper Cash active. Shortly after his move to Swiss Life as spokesman, Ringier moved to Cash the plug. That was a great pity, but he didn't see it coming, he tells us Advertisingweek.ch.

But Keidel has no regrets about switching "to the other side". "I love language, dealing with people and I love writing." This has benefited him as a journalist and, for many years, as a speaker. "I like representing a company to the outside world, but I wouldn't want to miss out on my experience as a journalist," he adds.

Geyst thrives on more than 50 employees, "a wild mix of seasoned professionals and hopeful talent," the agency said in a statement. Headed by CEO Florian Walz (previously CEO Straumann), Geyst is led by a total of ten Managing Partners, all of whom also have a stake in the company. These include Tamás Kiss (previously CD/co-owner Hesskisssulzersutter) and Johannes Just (previously Managing Director/partner Profil1). The Chairman of the Board of Directors and partner of Geyst is Daniel Straumann (previously Chairman/owner of Straumann).

At Geyst, the areas of consulting, creation, realization and systems come together to optimize communication processes. In addition, the agency operates a platform for media experiments, research and art. Clients include companies such as Alprausch (web presence/webshop), Aldi Suisse (including image spots), Citroën (launch of a new model on the Swiss market) and Credit Suisse (advertising toolbox).

You can read more about the newly formed agency in the next print edition, which will be published on January 17.

As Senior Manager International Accounts, Tony Mandingorra has succeeded in establishing International Sales at APG over the past three years, according to a press release issued on Wednesday. He had previously worked for the Affichage Group as Key Account Manager at the then newly founded company e-Advertising AG in Winterthur, which specialized in digital advertising space. In between, he was responsible for the USA business at the Gessner silk fabric weaving mill in Wädenswil.