Show blocks? - Fulfilled!
The bar was set high for the third Swiss Direct Marketing Award (DM) after the two previous events.
After the two previous events, the bar was set high for the third Swiss Direct Marketing Award (DM), which was launched brilliantly by Beat Fritsch in 1999 and topped in 2000: The expectations for this year's event, which took place at the TMC in Zurich-Oerlikon, were raised accordingly - and, to say the least, not quite fulfilled in every respect.
The jury was more balanced this year and the judging was tougher, was the unanimous opinion of the audience. And that was a very good thing. After all, the aim was to achieve a similar reputation for the DM awards as the ADC cubes already have.
Presenter Eva Wannenmacher also referred to top Swiss creative Frank Bodin as the DM golden boy, as he was able to take to the stage twice to receive gold awards. However, many people failed to realize that Carina Hungerbühler should be called the real Miss DM. She worked on several winning campaigns for her former employer Publicis and was therefore allowed to trot down the catwalk three times to collect a prize.
Which brings us to the main problem with the event. The entire prize-giving ceremony dragged on for a while, which was exacerbated by TV 3's Eva Wannenmacher's not exactly lively moderation and lack of expertise. It didn't hurt that Christian Handelsman tried to add a bit of spice in between with some light-hearted remarks.
The atmosphere in the auditorium also seemed rather stiff compared to previous DM Award ceremonies. The clandestine, informal club atmosphere with the many table rochades that prevailed last year in the Kaufleuten was simply not there. Perhaps next year we should consider a gentle redimensioning of the event and a streamlining of the award ceremony dramaturgy.
The show blocks, on the other hand, left nothing to be desired. Entertainment for the eyes and ears is always guaranteed when Tarzis Bono and Adim are responsible for the organization. This year, it was bartenders mixing up the show, a fashion show presented by various models, including three Miss Switzerland title holders, the aforementioned (visually appealing) presenters and a fantastic singing duo, Tanja and Phil Dankner, who delighted the audience.
The performance by keynote speaker Friedhelm Lammoth was also well received. At this year's award, the eloquent and vocal rhetorician did not miss the opportunity to shower the guests in attendance with a hefty dose of not always entirely serious criticism and to explicitly point out that neither clients nor customers, nor even the speaker himself, were exempt from his all-round attack.
Another highlight that brought back memories was Trudi Gerster's performance. As the quintessential Swiss fairytale aunt, she is naturally closely related to the advertisers, she said with a grin. Together with Daniel Brüngger from WBO OgilvyOne, she was presented with a prize in the self-promotion category for an invitation fairytale CD for the agency golf tournament. Gerster lent her voice to the little golf ball that tells the story.
Finally, some well-intentioned advice for the kitchen crew: put in a bit of effort, then maybe there will be a prize or at least some recognition to be won in the TMC kitchen. Because remember: advertisers and direct marketers are usually very convenient. But they still don't want to eat like this!
Many participants can look back on this year's ASW AGM at the Design Center in Langenthal with a smile and a tear in their eye. On the one hand, new members were gained again this year, making the ASW a very fast-growing industry association. On the other hand, President Stefan Hofmann handed over his office to Benno Frick and will no longer be available to the Alliance in the future. He wants to make another move in his life and is emigrating to Brazil at the end of May.
Hofmann was not only known in the ASW as a presidential hard worker. As Chairman of the Audit Committee, around two thirds of current member agencies were scrutinized by him and recommended for admission. Hofmann handed over this equally important position to Markus Diener from the Arbon-based agency Diener Consulting. Diener is now also a member of the board. In addition, Dominique Hildebrand and Heiko Drewanowski have joined the extended board.
In addition to the delicious food from the Design Center's kitchen, there was once again a great supporting program. The group TreeTalk demonstrated how trees talk and sing. Using self-made instruments made from trees, they transported the advertisers into a world of unfamiliar and fascinating sounds that were most reminiscent of the didgeridoos of the Australian aborigines. It is quite possible that such unusual encounters with musically unfamiliar worlds of sound may help to inspire one or two creative minds - after all, inspiration is free...
In addition to the laudatory speech for the outgoing president, the meeting concluded with a colorful and loud samba fireworks display with music and dancers.
And now, at the latest, even the last and furthest behind envied Stefan Hofmann's decision. In view of the concentrated load of sex that samba-dancing Brazilian women tend to exude, for a short time there were probably around a hundred advertisers contemplating emigration.
Beat Fritsch
The jury was more balanced this year and the judging was tougher, was the unanimous opinion of the audience. And that was a very good thing. After all, the aim was to achieve a similar reputation for the DM awards as the ADC cubes already have.
Presenter Eva Wannenmacher also referred to top Swiss creative Frank Bodin as the DM golden boy, as he was able to take to the stage twice to receive gold awards. However, many people failed to realize that Carina Hungerbühler should be called the real Miss DM. She worked on several winning campaigns for her former employer Publicis and was therefore allowed to trot down the catwalk three times to collect a prize.
Which brings us to the main problem with the event. The entire prize-giving ceremony dragged on for a while, which was exacerbated by TV 3's Eva Wannenmacher's not exactly lively moderation and lack of expertise. It didn't hurt that Christian Handelsman tried to add a bit of spice in between with some light-hearted remarks.
The atmosphere in the auditorium also seemed rather stiff compared to previous DM Award ceremonies. The clandestine, informal club atmosphere with the many table rochades that prevailed last year in the Kaufleuten was simply not there. Perhaps next year we should consider a gentle redimensioning of the event and a streamlining of the award ceremony dramaturgy.
The show blocks, on the other hand, left nothing to be desired. Entertainment for the eyes and ears is always guaranteed when Tarzis Bono and Adim are responsible for the organization. This year, it was bartenders mixing up the show, a fashion show presented by various models, including three Miss Switzerland title holders, the aforementioned (visually appealing) presenters and a fantastic singing duo, Tanja and Phil Dankner, who delighted the audience.
The performance by keynote speaker Friedhelm Lammoth was also well received. At this year's award, the eloquent and vocal rhetorician did not miss the opportunity to shower the guests in attendance with a hefty dose of not always entirely serious criticism and to explicitly point out that neither clients nor customers, nor even the speaker himself, were exempt from his all-round attack.
Another highlight that brought back memories was Trudi Gerster's performance. As the quintessential Swiss fairytale aunt, she is naturally closely related to the advertisers, she said with a grin. Together with Daniel Brüngger from WBO OgilvyOne, she was presented with a prize in the self-promotion category for an invitation fairytale CD for the agency golf tournament. Gerster lent her voice to the little golf ball that tells the story.
Finally, some well-intentioned advice for the kitchen crew: put in a bit of effort, then maybe there will be a prize or at least some recognition to be won in the TMC kitchen. Because remember: advertisers and direct marketers are usually very convenient. But they still don't want to eat like this!
Many participants can look back on this year's ASW AGM at the Design Center in Langenthal with a smile and a tear in their eye. On the one hand, new members were gained again this year, making the ASW a very fast-growing industry association. On the other hand, President Stefan Hofmann handed over his office to Benno Frick and will no longer be available to the Alliance in the future. He wants to make another move in his life and is emigrating to Brazil at the end of May.
Hofmann was not only known in the ASW as a presidential hard worker. As Chairman of the Audit Committee, around two thirds of current member agencies were scrutinized by him and recommended for admission. Hofmann handed over this equally important position to Markus Diener from the Arbon-based agency Diener Consulting. Diener is now also a member of the board. In addition, Dominique Hildebrand and Heiko Drewanowski have joined the extended board.
In addition to the delicious food from the Design Center's kitchen, there was once again a great supporting program. The group TreeTalk demonstrated how trees talk and sing. Using self-made instruments made from trees, they transported the advertisers into a world of unfamiliar and fascinating sounds that were most reminiscent of the didgeridoos of the Australian aborigines. It is quite possible that such unusual encounters with musically unfamiliar worlds of sound may help to inspire one or two creative minds - after all, inspiration is free...
In addition to the laudatory speech for the outgoing president, the meeting concluded with a colorful and loud samba fireworks display with music and dancers.
And now, at the latest, even the last and furthest behind envied Stefan Hofmann's decision. In view of the concentrated load of sex that samba-dancing Brazilian women tend to exude, for a short time there were probably around a hundred advertisers contemplating emigration.
Beat Fritsch
followed the third Swiss Direct Marketing Award ceremony with alert eyes, open ears and a sharp tongue, which - oh, you inattentive scheduling gods! - took place on the same day as the equally important general meeting of the Alliance of Swiss Advertising Consultants (ASW). Many thanks therefore to Carmelo Buffoli from ASW, who supplied us with pictures and information about the AGM.
Those who otherwise receive prizes or meet up for gatherings can be found at various events in the scene. Do you already have something to report? Pick up the phone (01 296 97 98) or get in touch (info@werbewo che.ch). Event tips and further shortlist images are available online at www.werbewoche.ch
