To underscore its move towards entertainment, Ringier is creating a separate division in Switzerland. “This new business division is the result of the strategic realignment at Ringier Switzerland,” says Marc Walder, General Manager of Ringier Switzerland. We want to count on and strengthen our focus on entertainment in the future – and create experience worlds, as this field still offers tremendous untapped potential for Ringier.”

The new division will combine the company’s engagements in Radio Energy Zürich, Radio BE1, Sat.1 (Switzerland), PresseTV, Teleclub, Good News as well as the TV and film production offering of RingierTV. “Ringier is already managing an attractive entertainment package today,” says Marco Castellaneta. “Now the aim is to integrate this offering under one umbrella as efficiently as possible, leverage it and continue expanding its range of services.” Marco Castellaneta starts this new area per 15 September 2009 – and at the same time takes over responsibility for the radios Energy Zürich and BE1 as well as Ringier TV from Christoph Bauer, who leaves the company at the end of 2009 to become CEO the AZ media group. Marco Castellaneta also takes over Christoph Bauer’s mandate on the governing boards of the Swiss Media Cast, Radig AG, Radio Z AG and SAT.1 (Switzerland) AG.

After eight years active in print and radio journalism, Lucerne native Marco Castellaneta (44) commenced with Ringier in 1996 where until 2004, amongst other things, he created konsum.tv on SF2 and launched the Sat.1 (Switzerland) channel with live ran. Thereafter he built up and led Ringier’s corporate communications department; as delegate for Ringier’s 175-year anniversary he was responsible for 32 events in 9 countries and for developing the CSR program. As Head of Corporate Communications/CCO he will remain a member of the Group Executive Board and will also join the Executive Board Ringier Switzerland as Head of Entertainment, Electronic Media and Events.

Ringier Switzerland Communications