In January 2017, SBB issued a public invitation to tender for the marketing of all its digital and analog outdoor advertising space from 2019. Alongside other outdoor advertising companies, Tamedia also bid for the contract together with Geneva-based Neo Advertising. At the beginning of November, SBB announced that it would continue to exclusively commission APG with the marketing of all advertising space in stations and trains for five to ten years from 2019. SBB's outdoor advertising space is the largest marketing contract in this area in Switzerland.Review of the award procedureFollowing an in-depth analysis, Tamedia and Neo Advertising have decided to lodge an appeal against the award decision with the Federal Administrative Court. The Swiss media group and the outdoor advertising specialist are seeking clarification as to whether the award procedure was conducted lawfully and whether the tender conditions stipulated by SBB were complied with.Tamedia and Neo Advertising are therefore applying to the Federal Administrative Court for the award to APG to be annulled and for a new invitation to tender for the marketing of SBB's outdoor advertising space. This should give all potential candidates a fair opportunity to bid for the marketing of SBB's outdoor advertising space in a transparent process. In view of the ongoing proceedings, Tamedia and Neo Advertising will not comment further until the Federal Administrative Court has reached a decision.Tamedia acquires majority stake in Neo Advertising in 2018As announced, Tamedia will also acquire a majority stake in Neo Advertising SA, based in Geneva, on January 1, 2018. By combining print and online advertising with poster and digital out-of-home advertising, Tamedia and Neo Advertising's advertising customers will benefit from new offerings and be able to book cross-media and cross-platform campaigns more easily. The Swiss Federal Competition Commission approved the takeover at the beginning of September 2017.

In January 2017, SBB issued a public invitation to tender for the marketing of all its digital and analog outdoor advertising space from 2019. Alongside other outdoor advertising companies, Tamedia also bid for the contract together with Geneva-based Neo Advertising. At the beginning of November, SBB announced that it would continue to exclusively commission APG with the marketing of all advertising space in stations and trains for five to ten years from 2019 (Werbewoche.ch reported). The SBB outdoor advertising space is the largest marketing contract in this area in Switzerland.

Review of the award procedure

Following an in-depth analysis, Tamedia and Neo Advertising have decided to lodge an appeal against the award decision with the Federal Administrative Court, according to a press release. The Swiss media group and the outdoor advertising specialist are seeking clarification as to whether the award procedure was carried out lawfully and whether the tender conditions stipulated by SBB were adhered to.

Tamedia and Neo Advertising are therefore applying to the Federal Administrative Court for the award to APG to be revoked and for the marketing of SBB's outdoor advertising space to be re-tendered. "This should give all potential candidates a fair opportunity to bid for the marketing of SBB's outdoor advertising space in a transparent process," the two companies write.

Tamedia acquires majority stake in Neo Advertising in 2018

As announced, Tamedia will also acquire a majority stake in Neo Advertising, based in Geneva, on January 1, 2018. By combining print and online advertising with poster and digital out-of-home advertising, Tamedia and Neo Advertising's advertising customers will benefit from new offerings and be able to book cross-media and cross-platform campaigns more easily. The Swiss Federal Competition Commission approved the takeover at the beginning of September 2017.