MAZ strengthens management with Reto Vogt
The MAZ is responding to upheavals in the media and communications industry with targeted measures: The journalism diploma program is being upgraded to a higher vocational school, and the organization is being streamlined. Reto Vogt is taking on a key role on the executive board as Chief Program Officer (CPO).
Structural upheavals in the media, communications and education sectors have been leading to a new dynamic in training and further education for some time now. The MAZ - The Swiss School of Journalism - has seen a decline in course bookings due to the changed market conditions.
For publishers, declining advertising revenues and subscription income are leading to lower investment in the training of young journalists. There are also drastic changes in corporate and administrative communications departments: Effects attributable to AI are resulting in simplified processes and reduced staffing requirements. The uncertain overall geopolitical and economic situation is playing its part: Course registrations are being planned at shorter notice or postponed, sometimes even postponed altogether.
Professionalization through higher technical college
The MAZ Foundation Board and management are responding to this new situation with specific measures. One of these is the initiated recognition procedure for the Higher Technical College (HF), in which the "Journalism & Media Competence" diploma training is upgraded to a nationally regulated and comparable qualification. Initial feedback from contacts with the responsible federal office has been positive; the project has been well received.
Organizational development and new management structure
A further measure concerns the MAZ as an organization: the existing structures are being made leaner, more flexible and more efficient. The aim is to sustainably reduce fixed costs and heighten cost awareness. This organizational development goes hand in hand with a reduction in jobs across the entire institution and a new management structure.
The function of Programme Director (CPO) is being adapted to the sharpened organizational structure, which has been adapted to market conditions. Reto Vogt, previously Head of Digital Media and AI Studies, is taking over the position of CPO. Beat Rüdt, former CPO, has decided to take on a new challenge outside the MAZ. Until his departure, he will support the transformation process and take over the sub-project Framework Plan for the Higher Professional School of Journalism.
The entire organizational development and transformation will take some time. For this reason, the development horizon is based on a multi-year plan. "The Foundation Board and the Executive Board are acting on the understanding that the MAZ can now take this step from a position of strength and that the prospects of success for the measures introduced are correspondingly good," says Felix E. Müller, President of the MAZ Foundation Board.
