Ringier’s EqualVoice-initiative is gaining fresh momentum with the addition of two outstanding new members to its national Advisory Board: science journalist and entrepreneur Nina Ruge, and strategy consultant and investor Dr. Christina Henkel. Both bring deep expertise, clear conviction, and extensive leadership experience – strengthening the initiative’s efforts to boost visibility and equality for women in the media.

Nina Ruge studied biology at the Technical University of Braunschweig before launching a nearly 30-year career as a television host of news, talk, and informational programs. Since 2018, she has established herself as a bestselling author and one of the most respected voices in the field of Healthy Longevity. Through her company STAYOUNG, she produces podcasts, advises hotels, organizes conferences, and serves as a public thought leader for a science-based longevity movement. Her societal contributions have been recognized with the Federal Cross of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany and the Bavarian Order of Merit.

Dr. Christina H. Henkel holds a PhD in economics from the University of St. Gallen and has spent more than three decades in senior roles in international strategy consulting, including positions at Roland Berger, Monitor Group, BCG, and A.T. Kearney. Since 2013, she has been the founder and CEO of Skyadvisory AG. As a board member, investor, and university lecturer (including at the University of St. Gallen), she brings extensive experience in strategy, leadership, and M&A. Her work with international clients is focused on driving profitable growth.

Dr. Annabella Bassler, CFO of Ringier and founder of EqualVoice, commented: “With Nina Ruge and Christina Henkel, we welcome two exceptional individuals who will enrich our Advisory Board with their expertise and presence. Both stand for intelligent communication, bold thinking, and consistent action – qualities that are vital to the evolution of EqualVoice. I very much look forward to working with them.”

Marc Walder, CEO of Ringier, added: “EqualVoice is not just another initiative – it’s a commitment that Ringier pursues with purpose and persistence. The fact that Nina Ruge and Christina Henkel are joining the EqualVoice-Advisory Board is a tremendous gain for this important initiative. Both bring substance, vision, and a strong desire to drive change – exactly what EqualVoice needs.”

The EqualVoice national Advisory Board includes several high-profile members: Carolina Müller-Möhl, founder & president of Müller-Möhl Group & Müller-Möhl Foundation; Tanja Grandits, Michelin-starred chef (Restaurant Stucki) and GaultMillau “Chef of the Year 2020”; Christine Graeff, Chief Growth Officer FGS Global; Regula Bührer Fecker, co-founder of Rod Kommunikation; Simona Scarpaleggia, board member EDGE Strategy; Petra Ehmann, Chief Innovation & AI Officer Ringier; Christiane zu Salm, media entrepreneur & advisor; Pascale Baeriswyl, Head of the Permanent Mission of Switzerland to the United Nations; Antje Kanngiesser, CEO Alpiq Group; Susanne Ruoff, founder & CEO of Ruoff Advisory; Leila Toplic, Chief Communications & Trust Officer Carbonfuture; and now, Nina Ruge and Dr. Christina Henkel.

Annabella Bassler at the WEF in China: EqualVoice as a Case Study for Real Progress on Diversity and Inclusion

This year’s World Economic Forum (WEF) in Tianjin made a powerful statement on diversity and inclusion by inviting Dr. Annabella Bassler, a strong voice for gender equality, to participate. The Ringier Group CFO and EqualVoice-founder joined the panel discussion “Why is Gender Progress Uneven?” Her presence spotlighted EqualVoice as a hands-on, real-world example of how companies can move beyond rhetoric and deliver measurable progress over time.

From Metrics to Impact: EqualVoice-Factor and AI Assistant Advance Female Visibility

At the heart of EqualVoice is the EqualVoice-Factor, a semantic algorithm that measures how often women and men appear in editorial content – across text, audio, and video. Introduced in 2019 by Ringier CFO Dr. Annabella Bassler, the EqualVoice-Factor is now used by 32 media brands across seven countries, reaching a combined audience of around 50 million users.

In 2024, Ringier launched the EqualVoice-Assistant, an AI-based tool that supports editorial teams in real time to create more inclusive and mindful content. It analyzes articles as they are written, flags potential stereotypes or imbalances, and offers suggestions for improvement. The Assistant is currently in use at Ringier media brands in Poland, Hungary, and Serbia, and will soon be introduced in Slovakia. Starting in fall 2025, it will also be available to external partners.

Mid-Year Snapshot 2025: EqualVoice-Factor Shows Continued Progress

The EqualVoice-Factor remains the initiative’s key measurement and management tool for visibility of women in media. The 2025 mid-year figures show positive trends: despite some slight decreases, Landliebe (68%), Schweizer Illustrierte (43%), and Beobachter (40%) are leading in the online Teaser Score which reflects the presence of women in headlines. Blick continues to stand out with 27%, making it the only daily news outlet in the top tier. In print, Landliebe and Glückspost both lead with 50%.

The Body Score which measures how often women and men are mentioned in article content also shows Landliebe (51%), Schweizer Illustrierte, and Beobachter (each 46%) at the top. For print, Beobachter leads with 50%, followed by Tele and Glückspost at 45%.

The results confirm: the EqualVoice-Factor creates transparency, encourages reflection, and helps editorial teams bring more female perspectives to the forefront.

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Teaser & Body Score Online
Teaser & Body Score Print
Annabella Bassler at the WEF in China

About EqualVoice
EqualVoice was launched in 2019 by Ringier CFO Dr. Annabella Bassler and Katia Murmann. The initiative is championed by publisher Michael Ringier and Ringier CEO Marc Walder. EqualVoice aims to promote the visibility and representation of women in media. Alongside the EqualVoice-Factor, Ringier is setting new industry standards with AI-based tools like the EqualVoice-Assistant. Today, 32 media titles in seven countries are using the EqualVoice-Factor to analyze the gender visibility gap reaching 50 million users globally.