Dentsu EMEA is restructuring: Under the leadership of André Andrade, CEO of Dentsu EMEA, the previous DACH and CEE clusters will be merged to form the new Central Europe cluster on January 1 and Sławomir Stępniewski will be appointed CEO of Dentsu Central Europe & Poland. Karin Zimmermann, currently CEO Dentsu DACH, will take on the new strategic role of BX (Business Transformation) President for the entire EMEA region.

The aim is to be strategically better positioned and provide customers with easier access to multidisciplinary skills and talent through a more integrated model.

For the past five years, Stępniewski has headed the Central Eastern Europe cluster, which comprises eight markets, including Poland. Zimmermann brings more than 20 years of experience in brand management, consulting and customer-centric transformation to her new position. She will be responsible for building the regional BX community in EMEA, defining cross-functional competencies and solutions and focusing on key strategic challenges for clients. Stepniewski and Zimmermann have initiated a close partnership between their two clusters in 2024. The new appointments mark the final merger of the two clusters, according to a statement.

To appeal to the young target group, the chewing gum brand Stimorol has been using activations at festivals or collaborations with musicians for years. The WPP agencies won the pitch with their combined creative power: Ogilvy Switzerland with a refreshing campaign concept, GroupM and Mstudio Austria with their experience in the music industry. They have already been responsible for various 360-degree activation measures for Stimorol at the Swiss Music Awards and Masked Singer Switzerland. "We are delighted that the cogwheels all meshed perfectly during the collaboration and that we were able to generate a lot of traction," says Martin Distl, Managing Director of Mstudio.

The campaign will go live in mid-2025 and will be rolled out across Switzerland. Bruce Roberts, Executive Creative Director of Ogilvy Switzerland, says: "Time to make Stimorol the Love Brand of Music Summer 2025 once again".

Digital competitive advantages in practice

How to successfully plan, implement and anchor digital strategies.

• Bramwell Kaltenrieder, Marc K. Peter and Kai Reinhardt
• Publisher: Schäffer-Poeschel
• Publication year: 2024
• Pages: 220
• ISBN: 9783791060606

With its precise academic structure, this book reflects the current state of knowledge on the subject of digital transformation. Several examples illustrate the predominantly theoretical explanations. The book's main advantage lies in its systematic approach. Anyone involved in transformation management in practice will find a guide for finding a strategy and an orientation aid when things get stuck in day-to-day business. Because that is the rule - most transformation projects do not achieve their goals. Those who want to do better will find help here.

Autocorrect

Mobility for a world worth living in.

• Katja Diehl
• Publisher: Fischer Taschenbuch Verlag
• Publication year: 2022
• Pages: 272
• ISBN: 9783103971422

Why is the traffic turnaround in Germany just not getting off the ground? On the face of it, the answer is simple: for far too long, urban and transport planning has been focused solely on car traffic. But why is this so difficult to change? Katja Diehl takes a close look and breaks down in detail the extent to which the car-centric nature of our society is rooted in completely different problems: poverty, discrimination and a lack of diversity. She takes a clear stance in favor of healthy mobility for all and points out various ways in which this could be achieved.

Climate-neutral companies

Management, control, technologies.

• Ulrich Sailer
• Publisher: UVK
• Publication year: 2024
• Pages: 130
• ISBN: 9783381113415

Germany wants to become climate-neutral by 2045. This is also a highly relevant goal for companies. Many have also started to align themselves with the goals of the Paris Agreement. But how does this work in practice? Ulrich Sailer provides an overview of how companies can strategically and operationally move towards climate neutrality. He provides a compact explanation of how sustainability can be measured and managed and how sustainability reporting can be put on a solid footing. Not an easy read, but a helpful and well-founded introduction to corporate climate management.

Do less, achieve more!

How you can take the pressure off yourself as a manager and achieve more at the same time.

• Alfred Faustenhammer
• Publisher: Wiley-VCH
• Publication year: 2023
• Pages: 288
• ISBN: 9783527511662

Should managers be open and direct? Yes. Do they have to be able to lie? Also yes. What sounds like an irresolvable contradiction becomes clear as soon as you read this well-written guide. Alfred Faustenhammer explains in a refreshing, sometimes controversial, but always constructive way what successful leaders must - and must not - do. His practical examples are highly recognizable, and those who take his clear messages to heart will avoid typical mistakes. This applies to seasoned but stressed managers as well as (over)eager newcomers.

Priska Schoch co-founded the procurement platform for SMEs Gryps in 2010 and helped build it up. In 2021, the company was sold to the former Ringier Axel Springer Schweiz AG. After 14 years, Schoch has now decided to end her active work for Gryps at the end of the year and retire.

As part of this change, Co-CEO Urs Gysling will take over the sole management of Gryps with 20 employees as CEO on January 1, 2025. Following the company takeover by Ringier Axel Springer Switzerland in fall 2021, Urs Gysling joined the management of the SME portal as Chief Content Officer and worked with the team to expand the content offering.

In 2023, Gysling also took over responsibility for the Sales division and successfully developed the partner business. Since March 2024, Urs Gysling has led the company as Co-CEO together with Priska Schoch. Before joining Gryps, he managed various publishing houses, including the Beobachter and LandLiebe editions from Ringier.

The traditional Zurich brand Confiserie Sprüngli is working with Jung von Matt Limit for the first time to redesign its visual identity for the Christmas season. The aim is to emphasize the high quality of the iconic products through high-contrast lighting and channel-appropriate staging across all touchpoints.

The claim "Just the way I love it" reflects the uncompromising focus on the individual wishes of customers and creates an emotional connection to the products. Cyrill Hauser, Managing Partner at Jung von Matt Limmat, says: "As a Zurich agency, it is a great pleasure and honor for us to be able to support the cult brand Confiserie Sprüngli in communication matters. The consistency with which the company produces top-quality, world-renowned products at the highest level is very inspiring for a creative agency."

One highlight of the campaign is the Secret Santa campaign, which is taking place for the first time in selected stores (Zurich Paradeplatz, Enge, Stadelhofen, Lucerne and Aarau). Customers can give presents to their loved ones which, with a bit of luck, will find their way to the recipients.

Client: Confiserie Sprüngli AG Agencies: Jung von Matt LIMMAT External partners: blish, Studio Dirk Weyer, Production Katja Sluyter, Brogleworks AG

Digitalization is profoundly changing the world of finance - as the European Consumer Payment Report shows. In Switzerland, the results reveal an ambivalent picture: While AI is perceived as an opportunity for fairness and efficiency in the debt collection process, concerns about data security and emotional distance remain.

Payment behavior and consumer trends
The majority of the Swiss population pays their bills on time, but households with children are more often confronted with delays (39 % compared to 19 % childless households). At the same time, consumer habits have shifted: online shopping and social media tempt 80 % of millennials and 75 % of Gen Z to spend more than they can afford. Even 50 % of baby boomers see themselves influenced by digital channels.

AI in finance: Between opportunities and skepticism
The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in the financial sector is viewed differently. 39 % of respondents see AI as having the potential to reduce human error in the debt collection process, while 36 % feel less judgmental when talking to a machine rather than a human about payment issues. Nevertheless, 56 % of Generation X and 50 % of men express concerns about data security.

Conclusion: Balance between innovation and trust
The study shows that the digitalization of the financial sector creates new opportunities, but also poses challenges. While younger generations appreciate the benefits of digital technologies, Generation X remains more cautious - especially when it comes to data protection. The coming years will be crucial for building trust and further promoting acceptance of AI-supported solutions.

Seraina Rohrer, who holds a doctorate in journalism and film studies, took up her position as Head of the Canton of Zurich's Department of Culture in mid-August 2024, succeeding her predecessor Madeleine Herzog as the canton's representative on the Board of Directors of Schauspielhaus Zürich AG. As a profound expert on the local cultural landscape, Rohrer has developed a Master's program in film for various universities and universities of applied sciences, worked as a curator, lecturer, foundation board member and columnist, was director of the Solothurn Film Festival and headed the Innovation and Society division at the Swiss Arts Council Pro Helvetia.

David Schärer will join the Board of Directors on January 1, 2025 as the city's deputy and successor to Urs Spinner. The former "Advertiser of the Year 2021/22" has over 25 years of experience in the areas of corporate management and development, strategic communication and stakeholder management and, thanks to his previous work in the media office of Theater Basel, also knows what goes on behind the scenes at a theater. After holding various management positions on both the agency and corporate side (most recently as CMO of Breitling), David Schärer founded his own agency in fall 2024, focusing on campaigning, reputation management and advisory services (Markt-kom.com reported).

The campaign contrasts a well-organized cruise with adventurous Interrail travel and is intended to encourage travellers to explore Europe in an environmentally conscious way. SBB received the Rail Tourism Award from the European Travel Commission ETC and Eurail for its successful implementation.

In the current commercial, two old friends go on a cruise. When a cat thwarts their vacation plans, the two react calmly and switch to the comfortable train.

SBB worked with the Swedish agency Sweet to implement the campaign. It has been running since Wednesday and will continue until December 17, 2024 in various offline and online media.

Just in time for the 25th anniversary of the renowned Bern-based advertising agency and with retroactive effect from January 1, 2024, the two long-standing co-managing directors, Client Service Director Corinne Hert and Creative Director Jeff Gerber, are acquiring 100 percent of the shares in the Bern-based LSA agency Komet by means of a management buyout.

"It was time and the logical next step for the agency as well as for our personal development," says Corinne Hert. Jeff Gerber adds: "Komet has a solid foundation and has been able to provide communications support for many exciting brands, services and products. But we will not stand still and are looking forward to opening the next chapter in the agency's 25-year success story."

Castegnaro succeeds Anastasia Li-Treyer, who is retiring after 18 years at the helm of the association. The new Managing Director brings with her extensive experience in marketing and sales, it was reported.

Most recently, Castegnaro worked at Miele for eight years, including as Senior Vice President Marketing & Brand with international brand responsibility. She previously worked for companies such as Wander, Lindt & Sprüngli and Moët Hennessy. (SDA)

"As a long-standing partner, we are delighted to be supporting the ADC and the young talents this year with two Ringier Medien Schweiz brands," says Maximilian Börke, Head of Marketing at Ringier Medien Schweiz. "On the one hand with the ViewThe first is that the brand is not only an iconic brand, but also shines in a new look after a comprehensive refresh - the perfect starting point for bold and inspiring ideas. And secondly, with CashSwitzerland's most-visited web portal for comprehensive business and financial information, the ideal match for the cyber category."

The ADC Young Creatives Award is the competition for young creatives under the age of 30. In cooperation with Weischer.Cinema Switzerland, this year's event once again serves as a pre-selection for participation in the international Young Lions Competition at the Creative Festival in Cannes. Participants must therefore be born on or after June 20, 1994.

The detailed briefing on View and Cash will take place at the online warm-up event on January 29, 2025 at 6:30 pm. Interested parties can register register on the ADC website.

Participants then have until February 26, 2025 to submit their work. The ADC Young Creatives Awards are up for grabs in the Film, Outdoor and Cyber categories. The winners can also become members of the "Young ADC" and thus part of ADC Switzerland. The Young Professionals can also take part in the judging for the next ADC Award and thus decide on the shortlist and bronze awards on the first jury day.

Besides View As a briefing partner, the organizer ADC Switzerland receives support from the LSA, the long-standing sponsors APG|SGA Out of Home Media, Cash, Swissfilm Association and Keystone SDA as well as from Weischer.Cinema Switzerland as the official Swiss Cannes Lions representative and ADC cooperation partner. The creative young talent competition receives media support from the trade media m&k and Personal.

"The Swiss market combines high quality standards with a strong business ethic. By opening our Zurich office, we not only shorten the distances to our customers, but can also respond even more closely to their specific needs," explains Managing Director Andreas Milk. The agency looks after brands such as KitKat, Lion, Ovomaltine and Rama as well as start-ups such as Reloadz Protein-Water. Now Milk their expertise, creativity and strategic thinking to the Swiss creative landscape.

In Switzerland, the agency, which specializes in the food industry, aims to strengthen existing partnerships and acquire new clients. The agency supports brands from the initial idea to the finished packaging and also aims to create multi-sensory experiences that appeal to consumers on an emotional level.