Renowned Swiss journalist Patrizia Laeri will take up her post in July. CNNMoney Switzerland is expanding its coverage in Germany, Austria, Italy and France. The digital media for innovation and business is experiencing a strong increase in audience.
Two years after its launch, CNNMoney Switzerland is taking another important step and strengthening its management to cope with its rapid development. On 1 July 2020, Patrizia Laeri will take over as Editor-in-chief of the channel, succeeding Andreas Schaffner, who has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer with immediate effect. With a digital approach to content production and a proven commitment to sustainability and gender diversity in the business world, she joins a team with a strong female component. She will be key in focusing CNNMoney Switzerland in new markets and providing content in German.
New Editor-in-Chief
Patrizia Laeri (1977) is a well-known personality on the media scene. She began her career at the Neue Zürcher Zeitung, before joining SRF, where she produced numerous feature stories for several flagship programs (10vor10, Tagesschau etc.) and hosted economic broadcasts like SRF Börse and ECO. Named Swiss Economic Journalist of the Year in 2019, she hosts debates with economic and political leaders for the World Economic Forum and the Swiss Economic Forum. Patrizia Laeri writes a regular column in Blick and has a strong presence and following on social networks. She is a member of the board of the Institute for Digital Business of the HWZ (Zurich Business Management University). She thus brings to CNN Money Switzerland a major competence in digital presence management.
“I am thrilled to join CNNMoney Switzerland and to be part of the expansion of an innovative and dynamic media organization,“ said Patrizia Laeri. “I am convinced that the current crisis is a catalyst for an economy that takes into account environmental protection, social issues and good corporate governance. This is the only sustainable solution. This is what we will focus on at CNNMoney Switzerland. I am also looking forward to joining an equal opportunity team willing to promote the benefits of gender diversity – I’m working on a specific show on this very topical issue.“
Strengthening of management
Andreas Schaffner (1971) takes over as Chief Operating Officer in April 2020. Andreas Schaffner is an award-winning journalist and holds a law degree from the University of Basel and an MBA from the University of Durham. He brings a wealth of media management experience for the development into new markets and digital expansion of CNNMoney Switzerland, where he was editor-in-chief up until now.
Hannah Wise (1978) is appointed Deputy Editor. Hannah is an international journalist with 18 years’ experience in front of the camera. She started her career at the BBC working on local and national news stories before relocating to Paris to become the anchor of the France 24 flagship breakfast programme. In 2014 she moved to Switzerland and became launch anchor for CNNMoney Switzerland. She holds a Masters in Physical Geography from the University of Aberdeen.
Fetah Maliqi (1985) joins CNNMoney Switzerland as Head of Sales, effective 1 July 2020. His extensive experience in digital media and his background in banking and finance will be decisive for the media’s growth. Fetah Maliqi worked as Business Development Digital Manager at Admeira, after holding various executive positions at Goldbach Media (Switzerland).
Expansion in Continental Europe
CNNMoney Switzerland has signed an agreement with Turner Group/CNN that will enable it to extend its distribution to Germany, Austria, Italy and France. This expansion into the German-speaking (DACH) and Latin markets is a natural continuation of the progression of CNNMoney Switzerland, which is positioning itself as the innovation and business media, providing relevant coverage of the strong development of the start-up, tech, blockchain and venture capital scene, with sustainability and gender equality as key elements for digital savvy communities. The editorial focus will reflect these new market dynamics in a crucial area for companies based in or doing business with Switzerland. CNNMoney Switzerland is the only Swiss partner of the Turner/CNN Group brands and is part of the global network of the Turner/CNN Group.
German-language contents and productions
This expansion, as well as the arrival of Patrizia Laeri at the head of the editorial team, coincides with CNNMoney Switzerland’s decision to produce and distribute German-language contents in order to better serve the German-speaking Swiss and European market. These contents will in particular be distributed through major partner broadcasters with strong roots in the German-speaking markets.
Steady increase in viewing figures
Just over two years after its launch, CNNMoney Switzerland has seen a marked increase in its audience on all its platforms – cable and satellite, website, social networking platforms. Since the beginning of 2020, the website’s main markers have grown massively: +235% unique visitors, +250% length of engagement, +160% page views. Other broadcasting and social network figures follow the same upward trend.
Christophe Rasch, CEO and founder of CNNMoney Switzerland, said: „We can count on a first-class team to lead the exciting developments underway. I am particularly pleased to welcome such a charismatic figure as Patrizia Laeri, who brings along a wealth of experience, a keen sense of the digital world, and welcome convictions in terms of inclusion and diversity. In addition, our agreement with the Turner/CNN Group opens up remarkable prospects for us to further adhere to the ongoing transformation of the business world, in Switzerland, Europe and the world“.
Further information
CNNMoney Switzerland
Christophe Rasch
Media office
CNNMoney Switzerland
Delia Collardi
CNNMoney Switzerland
About CNNMoney Switzerland
Launched in January 2018, CNNMoney Switzerland was founded and is managed by CNNMoney Switzerland SA, an independent and privately owned Swiss media company. CNNMoney Switzerland is an integral part of the CNNMoney brand’s international development strategy. CNNMoney Switzerland is a multi-platform content producer for linear broadcasting and digital media, focusing on financial, business, economic, cultural and lifestyle content related to Switzerland or Swiss-based multinational companies or organizations.
CNNMoney Switzerland covers Swiss topics with international impact and broadcasts its programmes free-to-air via cable and IPTV operators as well as on www.cnnmoney.ch, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram.
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