Southeastern Switzerland regroups

From January 1, 2014, the Südostschweiz media network will include the regional titles Südostschweiz Graubünden, Südostschweiz Glarus, Südostschweiz Gaster und See, March Anzeiger, Höfner Volksblatt and Sarganserländer. The titles Werdenberger & Obertoggenburger, Bote der Urschweiz, Liechtensteiner Vaterland and Rheintalische Volkszeitung will be removed from the association.

The Südostschweiz network has existed since 1997 and comprised the above-mentioned titles. Its term is limited until the end of 2013. The new titles belonging to the association negotiated a new cooperation agreement as of January 1, 2014, which essentially concerns the joint editorial section produced in Chur and marketing by the advertising company Südostschweiz Publicitas. Publicitas will continue to act as an intermediary for the association. The outgoing publishers have decided to enter into a cooperation with the NZZ media group.

The future Southeastern Switzerland region stretches from the southern valleys of Graubünden to the upper part of Lake Zurich and includes the cantons of Graubünden and Glarus, the Sarganserland in the St. Gallen Rhine Valley, large parts of the St. Gallen Linth Plain and the Ausserschwyz region. This is an economically self-contained area on the important north-south axis along the A3 and A13 highways, which will be very attractive for advertising customers. The circulation of the network is 82,083 copies. The reach is around 160,000 readers. Interesting advertising offers for the new newspaper network are currently being prepared for the advertising industry.

Werbewoche: Andrea Masüger, how did the current situation come about?
Andrea Masüger: It was clear to us that the Werdenberger & Obertoggenburger (WO) and the Rheintalische Volkszeitung (RVZ) would leave the Südostschweiz Medien Verbund - the WO belongs to the NZZ Group and the RVZ works closely with the Rheinthaler (also NZZ) - at the latest when both joined the new Ostschweiz am Sonntag. When these titles joined the Südostschweiz group years ago, they were still independent.

Why is the Liechtenstein Fatherland leaving?
I don't know the exact reasons. We negotiated with them and made them what we thought was a good offer. I don't know why they are now moving to St. Gallen.

Why is the Bote der Urschweiz leaving the association?
The Bote is not part of the NZZ. Hugo Triner, the publisher, has a certain proximity to Lucerne and it can be assumed that the competitive situation in Central Switzerland will change. It's obvious that something will happen with the Neue Schwyzer Zeitung, which is a head paper of the Luzerner Zeitung. This should lead to a market shakeout and Triner can benefit from the new situation. (Editorial supplement: Werbewoche.ch on the new situation of the Bote der Urschweiz)

What does the new situation mean for the print shop in Haag?
We have longer-term contracts with the print shop in Haag. The individual partners who previously printed in Haag will remain there. Then we'll see what happens. The Bote der Urschweiz has its own print shop anyway.

How do you see the new situation?
We remain among the top ten daily newspapers in terms of circulation and readership. Certain overlaps in the St.Gallen Rhine Valley and Central Switzerland will be eliminated, the area will become more homogeneous and also more clearly defined for the advertising industry. This also meets the wishes of our advertisers. The new large circulation with 190,000 readers is also an interesting offer for the advertising industry. We are approaching the new situation with optimism.

Interview: Pierre C. Meier