"Bala Trachsel, why don't you want to go to Zurich?"
Berne is the second hub in Switzerland for advertising. And thanks to Bernexpo Groupe, also in the trade fair and event business. Together with the advertising agency Republica, Bernexpo Groupe owns Republica Live, which specializes in live communication.
Republica Live looks after well-known clients such as SC Bern, DAB+, BE Tourism, the BEA opening or Losinger Marazzi and employs a total of five people in live communications. The entire Republica employs around 40 people.
Republica and Republica Live are independent and well positioned - and they are the agency that invests in the Bern location when others leave. "We have a close connection to Bern as a location and maintain long-standing relationships with a loyal clientele consisting of SMEs and large companies," explains CEO Bala Trachsel. "What sets us apart is that we are constantly reinventing ourselves and creating something new with courage and a willingness to experiment. In doing so, we rely on sound strategies, close collaboration and creative innovation. In the 'Matte Lab', we and our co-workers can mutually benefit from each other and thus appear more powerful on the market." On Friday, August 16, Republica celebrated the moving party to the new "Matte Lab" with its customers.
Republica Live
Everyone is talking about the transformation of the classic advertising agency. But Republica is one of the few advertising agencies that has included live communication in its palmares, where classic PR and advertising agencies still turn up their noses at "below-the-line" and lose touch with a young communication discipline.
Republica set off for new shores in the 20th year of its existence: On April 1, the agency left its longtime home due to a change of ownership and tackled a groundbreaking new project at Wasserwerkgasse 31. Although the old and new addresses are only a few meters apart, the setup at the new location in Bern's Matte district - apart from the spectacular view of the Aare - is completely different.
Republica DNA: Berne, Matte and the Aare River
Republica CEO Bala Trachsel, pictured with Adrian Erni of Republica, has joined forces with Karl Zimmermann, CEO of the KMU Nachfolgezentrum, to found the innovation space "Matte Lab," which focuses on co-creation and idea-driven work, right on the fabled Aare River. "Berner Matte is part of our agency DNA," says Bala Trachsel. "Today it doesn't feel like 20 years of Republica. I want to say merci. To everyone who believes that creative ideas make a difference. We want to show that you can become champions not only with YB and SCB, but also with advertising money in Bern. We want to continue to innovate here."
