Today is the official beginning of Ringier’s anniversary year, although the big parties will be launched May 16 and 17 in Lucerne. The family-held company is the largest media enterprise in Switzerland. Operations in the central and eastern European markets and in Asia also make Ringier the most multinational of all media and print companies in Switzerland.
From lead typesetting to pixels – more than a company biography
To start the anniversary celebrations, the book «Ringier always where the people are» was presented to the public in Lausanne and Zurich. The richly illustrated text, written by publicist Karl Lüönd, is a captivating narrative of the company’s history from small print shop in Zofingen to multinational and multimedia enterprise. The popular book is an authorized company biography, but just as fresh and bold as a magazine article or an exciting novel. The author chronicles the eventful past of an extraordinary media company on 521 pages and reveals surprising insights into a piece of Swiss media, social and economic history. «Ringier always where the people are» is available in bookstores at a price of CHF 19.80.
Older than the Swiss Federation
For publisher Michael Ringier the anniversary is an occasion to take a look back at the accomplishments of Ringier over its 175-year history and learn from the successes and mistakes of the past. «Our company is 15 years older than the Swiss federal state, which is a remarkable fact. Over the last 175 years, Ringier has succeeded time and time again to reinvent and reposition itself, which often involved difficult processes. The anniversary is an opportunity for us to remember our past experiences, recognize our chances and seize them». For Ringier CEO Martin Werfeli, the anniversary is an opportunity to position Ringier as the company it has been for some time: «Ringier is an innovative multinational media enterprise offering a full range of media products from print to online platforms, which has successfully established itself in international markets.»
Wide variety of anniversary activities
The company will celebrate its 175th anniversary with a wide variety of activities. In March and April, events will be held for Ringier partners, customers and employees in Asia and Eastern Europe. On May 16, 2008 Ringier will host its official anniversary party for partners, customers and guests from politics, business, the arts and society. The big staff party will be launched on May 17, 2008. Both these major events will take place at the KKL (Culture and Convention Center in Lucerne). However, the anniversary program also includes special features for readers, an international online contest («Destination Ringier») with attractive prizes, and project «My Ringier Story». All current and retired employees of Ringier are encouraged to tell their personal Ringier story. About one third of the anniversary projects are long-term endeavors and expected to have a lasting impact, for example, training and continuing education for journalists and the development of new media.
Ringier Group Communications
To the anniversary site: “175 years Ringier”
Ringier Group
In 1833 Johann Rudolf Ringier, son of a parish priest, founded a book printers in Zofingen and began with the printing of official regulations, statutes and the «Roggwiler Chronik». Soon a national newspaper publisher was to develop from the local graphic craft enterprise, and the Swiss Publishing House for printed products went on to become provider of multi-media platforms. Ringier has acknowledged technological and social changes in timely fashion since a good 175 years – and with foresight always taken a step ahead.
Today Ringier is an active multi-national media enterprise with around 7000 Employees in Asia, Eastern Europe, Germany and Switzerland – and an enterprise that publishes over 120 newspapers and magazines, produces around 20 TV programmes and operates 50 websites as well as 12 printing houses. Ringier is a family enterprise and led by the fifth generation.
In its home-market of Switzerland, Ringier is the largest media enterprise and successfully manages all dynamic growth markets. Ringier occupies prime positions in essential traditional media as well as in the printing, electronic, boulevard and entertainment sectors. And through its engagement in the liberalised markets of Central and Eastern Europe and Asia, it is also the most international Swiss media and printing enterprise.
Ringier is celebrating this grand anniversary with events in Switzerland and in the Ringier countries, with special undertakings in the fields of further education, culture and leisure for all its Employees, Partners and Customers.