Blick expands into western Switzerland

The Blick Group will expand its online offering to French-speaking Switzerland. To this end, Blick will launch a French-language version of Blick.ch in 2021. This new news platform will serve readers with the entire range of topics: from politics to sports, from business to society and people. The aim is for Blick to become a strong voice in Suisse romande, especially among young target groups. The French-speaking Swiss edition thus also serves as an innovation hub for the Blick Group.

Ladina Heimgartner, CEO of the Blick Group, said in a statement: "We are launching an independent digital media offering focused on Suisse romande. We see great opportunities for this, both with readers and in the advertising market."

Michel Jeanneret builds up editorial team in French-speaking Switzerland

The French-language version of Blick.ch is managed by Michel Jeanneret, currently editor-in-chief of L'illustré, will be in charge. He will move to the Blick Group on November 16, 2020, and will establish an independent editorial team with a small team of journalists and digital experts at the Lausanne site. Michel Jeanneret will head the French-language newsroom as editor-in-chief of Blick.ch's French-speaking counterpart, as well as being responsible for prestige interviews. "Launching a brand as strong as Blick in French-speaking Switzerland is an exceptional challenge that I am taking on with all my energy and enthusiasm. I am firmly convinced that this new medium will become a must in French-speaking Switzerland," says Jeanneret.

To promote Blick in French-speaking Switzerland, Michel Jeanneret is setting up an investigative journalists' network. Its focus is on researching topics that meet the needs of users in French-speaking Switzerland. The editorial team draws on existing technical synergies at the Blick Group and on the digital system landscape of the Ringier Group.

Marketing in French-speaking Switzerland is handled by Ringier Advertising.