Susanne Wille is the first woman to receive the Media Star Award

The Swiss journalist and presenter was honored in particular for her professional and commendable performance as a presenter during the 2015 Federal Council elections. In addition, the Communication Excellence Award was presented for the first time last Saturday. This went to long-time Raiffeisen media spokesman Franz Würth.

At 6:15 p.m. sharp, the doors of the Kongresshaus opened and the guests, including numerous Swiss celebrities, walked down the golden carpet. At the end of the long carpet stood the organizers Karina Berger and Thomas Russenberger (Russen&Berger) and greeted all guests personally. After an extensive champagne aperitif in the entrance hall of the Congress Center, accompanied by the well-known pianist Patricia Seidl, the new moderation duo Dominique Rinderknecht / Marco Fritsche opened the media night and skillfully led through the varied evening program, which was peppered with lots of music and dance. The musical highlight was the duet of the two exceptional artists Pepe Lienhard and Marc Sway. "Also in the third year of the media night, the new concept is very well received by the guests. I have seen only happy faces. That makes me and my team very happy, of course. The ball is important for the industry and contributes to good conversations and relationships," says Karina Berger from Russen&Berger.

Tagesschau boss honors Susanne Wille with his laudation

The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the third Media Star Award. Long-time SRF journalist and presenter Susanne Wille was honored, making her the first woman to receive this award. Urs Leuthard, head of SRF's daily news program, paid special tribute to the new award winner. He particularly emphasized her professionalism, tenacity and determination. The 42-year-old from Aargau entered the stage to great applause. She was visibly moved when she accepted the "Media Star" from jury president Christoph Richterich and thanked Urs Leuthard for his laudatory speech.

Susanne Wille dedicated the prize to her late grandmother, among others, and emphasized in her acceptance speech how important it is for journalists to be able to do their work without any state pressure, as is the case in Switzerland. On her numerous reportages, however, she had also had to experience the opposite. Freedom of the press and information is an important asset that must be defended.

The winner was chosen by the "Medienstar" jury consisting of president Christoph Richterich (Richterich & Partner), Franca Siegfried (board member Zürcher Pressverein), Dominique Morel (president Harbour Club), Roger Baur (managing director IAB Switzerland), Christian Wick (president Zürcher PR-Gesellschaft), Catherine Purgly (managing director leading swiss agencies), Frank Bodin (president ADC) and Thomas Russenberger (Russen&Berger).

First Communication Excellence Award for long-standing Raiffeisen media spokesperson

In addition to the Medienstar Award, the Communication Excellence Award was presented for the first time this year. While the Medienstar Awards primarily relate to achievements in the past year, the new Communication Excellence Award honors longstanding and sustained service in the media and communications industry. The first award of its kind went to Franz Würth, who was already honored for his work last year by Swiss Journalist. The long-time media spokesman for the Raiffeisen Group was visibly surprised when his boss Patrik Gisel, CEO of the Raiffeisen Group, took to the stage, gave his laudatory speech and praised the deserving media spokesman in the highest terms for his many years of successful work at Switzerland's third-largest banking group.

Part of the ball proceeds for Reporters Without Borders

Once again this year, part of the proceeds from the ball will go to the internationally active organization Reporters Without Borders. "In times of political and economic unrest, it is all the more important that journalists are able to do their work independently and without any influence from the state or business. This is the basis for the free formation of the population's opinion. Unfortunately, in many countries today it is almost impossible for media professionals to do their work without repression. That is why we are very grateful to the organizers and, of course, to the guests for the donation," says Josefa Haas, a member of Reporters Without Borders.