Jeff Gerber takes over as creative director of Bern-based advertising agency Komet

In September, it was announced that Gerber would be leaving the Notch Interactive agency, where he had worked for seven years, for Bern (Werbewoche.ch reported). The Bernese most recently held the position of Executive Creative Director and was a partner at the Zurich agency.

Since the beginning of January, Jeff Gerber, Marcel Durst, Corinne Hert and Fabian Merz have formed the management team at Komet. The Bern-based LSA agency was founded in 1999 and currently employs 23 people.

"It's great that we've been able to win Jeff over," says Marcel Durst, owner and Managing Director of Komet. "Jeff's way of creating communication solutions will appeal to our customers," he is convinced.

Werbewoche: Was the decision to return to Bern a homesickness or a career decision?

Jeff Gerber: It would be a bit too romantic to return purely out of homesickness. (laughs) Of course, other factors also contributed to my decision to make a change in my career. Leaving Notch Interactive after almost seven years wasn't easy for me. But I felt it was time.

Why did you hire Komet and not another agency in Bern?

The agency has a long and exciting history. It has successfully faced the changing demands of the market time and again and has managed to draw a sharp profile for itself in the process. This makes the Komet brand desirable - especially for me as creative director.

What do you already miss about Zurich?

First of all, of course, the many good people and friends I got to know during my time in Zurich. But also the really great culinary lunches on offer in Kreis 4. Do you know the momos from Tenz? Mmmmhhh...

How have you used the time off since Notch left?

I spent a lot of time with my family, was able to successfully press my "reset" button and prepare myself optimally for the new challenges at Komet.

At Komet, you are following in the footsteps of André Benker - a big name in the Swiss advertising industry. What are you doing differently?

I got to know André, but I never worked with him. So I can't say what I do differently from André. My approach to our clients' communication problems is strictly user-centered, always holistic and with a strict focus on the success of the campaign. And of course I want to be there when our customers' products and services are created - that's often where it's decided whether a product is bought or a service is used.

You come from Notch Interactive, an agency with a strong digital focus - is Komet now also becoming more digital?

Komet remains a creative agency. But it is becoming even more holistic. For me, it is a matter of course to consider all the relevant touchpoints of a brand and also to design digital-first at times. Accordingly, we offer our customers a broad portfolio of services that meets all the requirements of modern and targeted communication.

Where does Komet stand in the Bernese agency landscape, which is known to have a number of important players?

The agency, which will soon be 19 years old, has a very good and solid position in the Bernese advertising market. My ambition is for our clients to be successful with us. That is the best position we can have.

Who will be Swiss champion first - YB or FCZ?

Hopp YB!

Interview: Thomas Häusermann