A Volcanic Performer – Dietmar Dahmen at the RMC: «The Pillow Is Your Comfort Zone

Terror in Nairobi How Brighter Monday employees survived

In-house journal April 2019

Management expert Dietmar Dahmen rocks the Ringier Management Conference

A volcanic performer – Dietmar Dahmen at the RMC: «The pillow is your comfort zone. Kill your comfort zone!» «Business is Fight Club!» CONTENTS

4 12 hours On January 15, terrorists attacked a hotel complex which also houses the offices of the Ringier company Brighter Monday. Four victims talk about how they survived the terror. 26 4 12 Big names, big money German celebrities have launched a new trend with their own personality magazines. «Barbara», «Guido» and «Boa» are reaching a growing readership and making big money. 16 Focus on Ringier The best press photos of the last quarter. 18 Hollywood in Opfikon Data, technology, disruption. At the Ringier Management Conference, the company’s executives gain important insights for the future. 20 «Real life is dirty» Whenever Dietmar Dahmen enters the stage, things get noisy. And in the DOMO interview, this expert on transformation and disruption talks at full throttle. «Keep it simple, stupid!» 23 The end of a legend Publisher Michael Ringier talks about the decline of «USA Today» – and what newspaper publishers can learn from it. 24 Resist Relotius! Spiegel journalist Claas Relotius faked and made up features. Author Peter Hossli’s helpful hints on how journalists and editors can protect themselves. In eigener Sache 26 I didn’t want DJ Bobo’s briefs 12 Talk about southern hemispheres! Why DOMO author René Haenig turned down Ein Albtraum DJ Bobo’s briefs – and almost got run SPIEGEL mit ganz oder teilweise Der Reporter Claas Relotius hat den e Krise gestürzt. over by him. gefälschten Artikeln in eine schwer edaktion die Affäre aufgedeckt? Wie konnte es dazu kommen? Und wie hat die R 28 My Week Meetings, telephone conferences, fitness, a little daughter, and me-time: 16 This is how Yetunde Oyeleke in Lagos organizes her week. 30 The manager’s manager Patricia Buck has spent 20 years working for the same boss: Ralph Büchi. And yet, they are not on a first-name basis.

Cover photo: Thomas Buchwalder

Publishing information Publisher: Ringier AG, Corporate Communica- tions. Executive Director: René Beutner, CCO, Dufourstrasse 23, 8008 Zurich. Contact: domo@ ringier.ch Editor-in-chief: Alejandro Velert. Contributors: Ulli Glantz and Markus Senn (visual realization), Frauke Hain, René Haenig, Peter Hossli.Translators: Gian Pozzy (French), Claudia Bodmer (English), Ioana Chivoiu, (Romanian) Proofreaders: Peter Hofer, Regula Osman, Kurt Schuiki (German), Patrick Morier-Genoud 24 (French), Claudia Bodmer (English), Lucia Gruescu e (Romanian). Layout/Production: Zuni Halpern Blick aus dem SPIEGEL-Gebäud

(Switzerland) Image Editing: Ringier Redaktions 36 Services Zurich. Print: Ringier Print Ostrava and 18 SNP Leefung Printers. No portion may be reprinted without the editor’s permission. Circulation: 10,000 copies. DOMO is published Anhang 1/1 pg. 1/3 in German, French, English and Romanian. Photos: Getty Images, Thomas Buchwalder, Sven Torfinn, Rolf Neeser, Thomas Kierok/laif Digas_11742.001.001.PDF 21.03.2019-16:44h DOMO – April 2019 | 3 Server:digasred02-vm 21.03.2019-16:44h TERROR IN NAIROBI 12 hours On January 15, terrorists charged the DusitD2 hotel complex in Nairobi, killing 21 people. The employees of the Ringier company «Brighter Monday» were also affected by the attack. Four of them tell us how they survived. And why the terror is not over in spite of that. By Frauke Hain

Traces of terror. The Nairobi attacks begin with an explosion, followed by a charge of the Dusit hotel complex by armed fighters of the Somali terrorist organization Al-Shabaab, who start shooting people. Photo: Keystone Photo:

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anuary 15 is a Tuesday like any Jother. There is a lot of work to do and meetings back to back. Kevin Osore works in business develop- ment for Brighter Monday, a digital job portal that is part of Ringier One Africa Media. This afternoon, the 31-year-old is sitting at his desk in the open-plan office, absorbed in his laptop – when he hears shots fired. «It was as if I were suddenly in a movie scene and they told me to act. But it was real,» he says some two months later. «I just listened to my instinct: Get out of here as quickly as possible!» Osore starts to run – through the lobby, into another office, onto a balcony where a fire escape leads down to street level. But there is shooting everywhere. And so, he runs back to the lobby and down the stairwell to the exit. But there, through the glass front, he sees men armed with assault ri- fles heading towards the building. They are members of the Somali terrorist organization Al-Shabaab, entering the building complex of the five-star DusitD2 Hotel in Nairobi’s affluent Westlands neighborhood on this day. One of them spots Kevin Osore. «He immediately started to shoot at me.» The two offices of Brighter Monday are located in one of several modern buildings around the DusitD2 – on the fifth floor. Most traces of terror have been removed by now, but some bullet holes are still visible. Boniface Macharia, 40, is the The BBC has reconstructed the service-delivery team leader. When events of the attack with the help of the assault begins, he also tries to surveillance-camera footage. The escape by way of the fire escape. But pictures show that the first incident the shooting deters him as well. He is a suicide bomber blowing himself stays, lying down, on one of the up inside the building complex. Al- fifth-floor office balconies, all by most simultaneously, four other himself. «I should have run back to terrorists detonate three cars in the office, just like my colleagues. front of the entrance. Then they But I couldn’t. It felt like the office make their way onto the site – down was five kilometers away.» In reality, a narrow lane. The attackers, throw- it’s not even five meters. He is lying ing grenades and firing indiscrimi- on the floor, behind two balcony nately, enter one of the buildings. chairs, masked by the sunshade. He Timothy Mocho hears the explo- assumes that if he cannot see any- sions as he is wrapping up a meeting thing, he can’t be seen either. on the balcony. «I saw many birds fly It’s about 8 pm; outside, darkness away,» recalls the 33-year-old. A few has fallen. In the men’s room, Tim- seconds later, he watches people othy Mocho realizes that it has al- escape by climbing over the proper- ready been five hours. Through so- ty’s fences. In the office, colleagues cial media he learns that the whole are screaming: «Those are gunshots, neighborhood has been cordoned off those are gunshots!» Timothy Mo- hides in the men’s room with some head and laughs at the recollection. there he gets out onto a balcony and The security by the police. Every hour, the single cho runs from the balcony into the «I just listened to my colleagues. As he tries to barricade The attacker shooting at Kevin jumps down. «My ankles hurt, I forces try to get as father checks in with his mother office and directly into the lobby. He, the doors with a flowerpot, he spots Osore by the exit missed his target. could barely get up and keep run- many people as who is looking after his eight-year- too, hears the shots. «I panicked.» instinct: Get out of here a colleague still sitting at his desk. «I Osore runs back to the upper floors ning,» he says. The people around possible to safety old son. «Please tell him I’ll see him Just like his colleague Kevin Osore, as quickly as possible!» waved and shouted: Come here, and tries to escape through one of him are panic-stricken; shots are from the attack of tomorrow.» He is also continuously he realizes it is too late to escape people are getting shot. We have to the hallways. On the third floor, he fired again and again. Osore manag- the five terrorists. in touch with the police. They want from the building via the exit. He Kevin Osore hide!» Timothy Mocho shakes his Keystone Torfinn, Sven Photos: finds a door that is unlocked. From es to get back on his feet and escape. to know: «Where exactly are you?

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Which building? How many of you excited, on an adrenaline rush. are there?» They keep repeating the «Please tell my «Many men behave like that. This order to remain calm, to turn all was a painful situation, and they phones to silent, not to use a vibrat- son I’ll see him don’t want to show their true feeling alarm. «We’re about to get you ings. It’s like a mask,» maintains out of there,» the police say. tomorrow.» psychologist Loice Okelo. Brighter «This announcement gave me Text message by Timothy Mocho Monday hired her to help people hope and courage,» says Timothy from his hiding place to his mother. deal with the traumatic events. In Mocho. African culture, men and women are Late that evening, the Kenyan very different, she says. «The men Ministry of the Interior declares that want to show they have survived. the situation is under control, that They see this as a victory, and they all buildings have been evacuated want to talk about it.» Women are and everyone is safe. But Timothy more affected on an emotional level. Mocho is still hiding in the men’s denly felt so angry and brave. They «Some of them still can’t talk about room. He remembers the feeling: «It have guns and I don’t. But I am also it,» the psychologist explains. She is humiliating when your safety is a man.» goes on to say that women bear the not in your own hands.» A short time Waweru can hear a soft knock on responsibility for the family. In later, the employees all hear loud the glass office door, again and life-threatening situations, they gunfire and explosions again. again. He registers the silhouette of primarily think about what would Most of Brighter Monday’s nearly a man behind the door. But it is dark. happen should they die. 90 employees have hidden in the To this day he does not know wheth- At 3 am, the police rescue the back of their open-plan office. Sales er it was a terrorist or a policeman. Brighter Monday team. They have Manager James Waweru, 33, can see One colleague prays throughout the experienced twelve hours that will the police through one of the win- night. At midnight, another explo- leave a mark on them. A few hours dows. Terrorists and police repeat- sion lights up the sky. «Then there later, the last of the five attackers of know whether you’ll survive is con- 700 people were never experienced that. But those edly exchange fire. Waweru’s mind was a violent and long exchange of the terrorist militia are dead, shot by sidered traumatizing,» says psy- rescued from the colleagues who had already written is filled with a thought that will stay fire. I could hear the glass panes Kenyan police units. Two members chologist Loice Okelo. Boniface hotel complex, 21 farewell messages to their own fam- with him all night: I will fight. His breaking. Then, more shots. Boom! of the Brighter Monday team are Macharia, who initially hid on the people died in a ilies would understand. Boniface eyes flash and he laughs as he says: Boom!» injured, but they all survive the at- balcony, describes the shots as barrage of gunfire. Macharia’s everyday life has «I didn’t want to die in hiding, I It is as if James Waweru had just tack. «small noises with big effects». Un- changed. «This experience has

didn’t want to give in to fear. I sud- come out of an action movie; still Keystone Torfinn, Sven Photos: «Any situation where you don’t fathomable for someone who has brought us closer together as a

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gency exits and think about what to Sales Manager His voice falters. A week after the «Shots are do if they come back.» And when «I didn’t want James Waweru at terrorist attack, he went back to the someone slams a door, he flinches. the Brighter office to pick up a few things. «I was small noises «These are the symptoms of a trau- to die in hid- Monday offices in okay until the moment I reached the matized person,» explains psycholo- Nairobi. Brighter entrance. There was a kind of memo- with big ef- gist Loice Okele. «Most of them are ing, I didn’t Monday hired rial there for the 21 victims of the young people. They enjoy their lives psychologist Loice terror attack.» The memory brings fects. Unfath- and have lots of plans. For many it is want to give in Okelo to care for tears to his eyes. That’s all he feels omable for the first job allowing them to earn to fear. I sud- its employees. like saying.  their own money. And now they «There are big someone who would really like to leave that be- denly felt so differences hind because they don’t feel safe between the sexes has never ex- anymore.» But the question is: What angry and when dealing with place is safe? such experiences. Brighter Monday perienced Kevin Osore reflects: «This is brave.» Men are more likely to show they happening all over the world. It can BrighterMonday was founded in Sales Manager James Waweru at have survived. that.» happen to me today, and it can hap- 2006 with the goal of improving the Brighter Monday offices in Women are more Boniface Macharia, Service pen to you tomorrow.» James Waw- online access to jobs. Today, Nairobi. affected on an Delivery Team Leader eru says: «One shot can change Brightermonday is the largest job emotional level,» everything. I feel I’m always on the portal in the East African region, with she says. alert.» Timothy Mocho explains: subsidiaries in Tanzania, Uganda and «Wherever I go, I watch how the se- Kenya. It attracts about a million views curity people work. And when I go per month in Kenya alone. On social shopping with my son I don’t let him media, it numbers 20 000 followers walk around by himself anymore. I on Twitter, 33 000 on LinkedIn, nearly Four of the five team,» he says. He now prefers going floor, Kevin Osore is unable to walk always need to know where he is.» 2 000 on Instagram and around terrorists were for a beer with a co-worker to having for two and a half weeks. «During Boniface Macharia can still hear 300 000 on Facebook. BrighterMon- killed by Kenyan a drink with a buddy. «I don’t feel the first week after I went back to the shots. «It was so loud. And then day has been part of the portfolio of security forces, like talking about the events to peo- work, I would leave the office around this silence. And you keep waiting ROAM (Ringier One Africa Media) one blew himself ple who mostly want to be enter- the time the terror attack had start- for what happens next.» He loves since 2017. tained.» up. ed. When I get to a crowded place, action movies. «I compare them

After his jump from the third the first thing I do is check the emer- Keystone Torfinn, Sven Photos: with what I heard and saw that day.»

10 | DOMO – April 2019 DOMO – April 2019 | 11 1010_RUBRIC_LPERSONALIZED MAGAZINES Big names, big money A new trend has brought success back to the print industry. Personality magazines like «Barbara», «Guido», «Lafer» et al. are selling like hotcakes at newsstands. Fans and publishing companies are equally excited. Now, even celebrity influencers from social media are pushing their way into the print-magazine market. Text René Haenig

t all began with «Barbara». In 2015, (from Guido Maria Kretschmer, fash- I the German publishing company ion designer and host of the TV show Gruner + Jahr launched the first per- «Shopping Queen»), «Birgit» (from TV sonality magazine in the Ger- host Birgit Schrowange), «JWD» man-language market. The name in (short for actor and TV host Joachim the title belonged to TV host, actress «Joko» Winterscheidt), «Lafer» (from and singer Barbara Schöneberger, 45. Austrian celebrity chef Johann Lafer) Ever since, her magazine, which and «Daniela» (devoted to blonde sports the tagline «Not your average trash icon and reality-TV starlet Dan- women’s magazine», has been shak- iela Katzenberger, nicknamed «die ing up the women’s-magazine mar- Katze» – the Cat). Another recent ar- ket, at roughly 300 titles hardly vir- rival on the personality-magazine gin territory. The current issue, No. shelf is «Sophia» (referring to 24-year- 34, April 2019, is attracting readers old fitness blogger, bodybuilder and with topics like «Twixters – 38 and YouTuber Sophia Thiel), published by still sitting at home?», «Why don’t the Bauer Media Group, and in May you have kids? – The world’s dumbest we can look forward to «Philipp», the question», «You’re so embarrassing! magazine of Internet entrepreneur – Teenagers tell all», plus the cover Philipp Westermeyer, to be published story «Viva la Mama». And sure by the daily «Hamburger Abend- enough, the cover photo shows Bar- blatt». Oh, and soccer star Jérôme bara, blue-eyed and red-lipped in a Boateng («Boa») also has his own dress printed with dinner plates, print magazine. hoisting two borrowed babies on her So much for «Print is dead». Ger- arms and hips. man publishing houses have been What «Barbara» has been to wom- printing so many personality maga- en for the past four years, «Dr. v. zines in recent years that you can Hirschhausens Stern Gesund Leben» scarcely see the forest for the pulped Rocketing to print has been to health nuts, fitness freaks trees. Speaking of forests: German stardom: In 2015, and nutrition nerds for the past bestselling author and ranger Peter TV host and singer twelve months. This title also bears Wohlleben, 55, will also take root in Barbara the name of a celebrity: Eckart von the personality-magazine market, on Schöneberger

Hirschhausen, 51, is TV host, physi- April 18 with «Wohllebens Welt». Big launched cian, magician, stand-up comedian names mean big print runs and, ulti- Germany’s first and writer rolled into one, according mately, big money. personality to Wikipedia. What the online The Gruner + Jahr media compa- magazine encyclopedia fails to mention: agement, Kegel exercises, blood Success guaran- ny, which published «Barbara» and «Barbara». And Hirschhausen is also chief reporter, vessels and cruciate ligaments – as teed: Schöneberg- followed up with «Guido», she is still flying according to his credit in the mast- well as his specialty: the Hirschhaus- er, Hirschhausen «Hirschhausen», «JWD» and «Boa», high – the current head of his own magazine. In the first en diet, i. e. intermittent fasting. and Boateng – is very pleased with their success. issue attracting issue of this year, the funny doctor Two magazines out of a dozen. In Gruner + Jahr is on «The personality magazines have people at the sporting a red clown nose on the addition to «Barbara» and «Dr. v. a winning track with proven to be significantly stronger newsstands is

cover deals with relationship man- Hirschhausen» you’ll find «Guido» these celebrities. than we had originally hoped,» as «BARBARA» für Benno Kraehahn Photo: number 34.

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one company spokeswoman put it. The celebrity namesakes not only The circulation of «Barbara» is at lend their face and name to the per- 203 741 copies (IVW 4/2018), and sonality magazines, they also con- 121 959 out of these magazines are tribute as editor-at-very-large (Joko sold at newsstands. The «Guido» print Winterscheidt) to finding topics in run is at 250 000 copies with the first the editorial meetings, write edito- issue selling about 200 000 copies, rials as editor-at-large (Schöneberg- while #2 clocked 150 000 copies in er) or report as chief reporter (see over-the-counter sales. «Hirschhaus- Hirschhausen) from the weight-loss ens Stern Gesund Leben», «JWD» and wars. «They are members of the ed- «Boa» are also making money. itorial team, they regularly attend Jahreszeiten Verlag, which pub- meetings, write, conduct interviews, lishes the testimonial magazine introduce topics – in short, they as- «Lafer», is also very happy with its sume editorial tasks,» emphasizes success. «Its launch exceeded our Gruner + Jahr. expectations, both in the distribution Journalists’ associations take a market and in the advertising mar- dim view of the fact that these celeb- ket,» says Peter Rensmann, Managing rity journalists are also entrepre- Director Marketing and Sales. That’s neurs in their own interests. In par- why they recently dared to raise the ticular, the fact that products from copy price to 6 euros. A further price designer Guido Maria Kretschmer or hike is planned within the next year. schmer, Jérôme Boateng and Joko TV host and actor Jahr, the question of what served as Bodin, «despite all the sympathy and exciting hook for a magazine. «With Fame alone is not soccer star Boateng are interspersed More than half of the 120,000 printed Winterscheidt inspire their fans. And Joko Wintersc- a model for their personality maga- popularity a ‹Christa› magazine Barbara Schöneberger it’s her sense enough to within articles rankles and looks to copies (depending on topics and they reveal a lot about themselves in heidt. Planning the zines is met with reserve. All they’ll would benefit from, that might be a of humor, with Guido Maria Kret- guarantee success critics like camouflaged advertising. pre-orders) will be sold, 68,000 in their magazines. «This subjectivity is new issue of admit is: «Of course we look at all more difficult proposition». For a schmer it’s the respect and honesty in the magazine Still, the success of personality classic magazine retail outlets alone, what makes personality magazines «JWD» (short for markets and we’ve seen that such simple reason: Switzerland is simply with which he meets people,» they market. Fashion magazines will scarcely be slowed including railway-station bookstores. so special,» the G+J spokeswoman Joko Wintersc- magazines do well abroad.» too small for any publication to reach say. With Joko Winterscheidt it’s his designer Guido down, not even by grousers. In addi- Johann Lafer, who gives the maga- concludes. heidt’s printed In Switzerland, there is (as yet) a a really large readership. He considers yen for adventure that characterizes Maria Kretschmer tion to «Wohllebens Welt» by Gruner zine its name, originally hails from One US magazine certainly quali- materials), he – as yawning void in the market for per- special-interest magazines for specif- the magazine «JWD», with Eckart von (left) is up to his + Jahr, which will bring more nature the Austrian province of Styria, so he fies as a model for the boom of per- editor-at-very- sonalized magazines. But star adver- ic target groups to be more plausible. Hirschhausen it’s his gift for convey- ears in work at the to newsstands on April 18, the appeals to two «home markets» with- sonalized magazines in Germany: «O, large – and his tiser and book author Frank Bodin, For example? «‹Bligg› for the music ing medical expertise to the public in editorial team Jahreszeiten Verlag is also eyeing in the German-speaking region. The Oprah Magazine» was first pub- team jointly 57, is convinced that this country also industry,» quips Bodin, alluding to an intelligible and entertaining way. meeting. Eckart new ideas for magazines. «Our suc- But what exactly is it that makes lished on April 19, 2000. US TV talk- decide which boasts famous names with potential: the Swiss rapper whose name echoes It is precisely those qualities that von Hirschhausen cess with ‹Lafer› has encouraged us personality magazines so successful? show icon Oprah Winfrey created the stories will make it «A ‹Roger› magazine would certainly the title of Ringier’s tabloid. make these personalities unique. For knows how to to go on investing in this growth Gruner + Jahr says: «We believe their magazine, which is very popular with into the magazine. score an ace.» He is referring to tennis But Gruner + Jahr’s editors are publishing houses such as Gruner + make serious med- segment,» says Peter Rensmann. success is based on people’s longing women, with the Hearst Communi- superstar Roger Federer. Another convinced that a familiar face alone Jahr, Jahreszeiten Verlag or Bauer ical topics funny Another title is due to be launched for identification». People like Bar- cations media group. The monthly name he brings up is Christa Rigozzi, does not a successful magazine make. Media, the trick is to transmogrify the and easy to by the end of the year. The name is bara Schöneberger, Dr. Eckart von currently has a circulation of just former Miss Switzerland and the na- The person needs a certain some- uniqueness that characterizes the understand. still secret. One thing is certain: it Hirschhausen, Guido Maria Kret- under 2.4 million copies. At Gruner + tion’s darling. However, according to thing, an X factor that provides an person into a magazine. will be big.  Checking back with Barbara Schöneberger

Whom would you like to interview for your I not only write the editorial, but also my editorial staff and I keep trying to come magazine at all cost? column as well as other articles in the up with topics of our own and remain true To be honest, I’d be fine with anyone. The home decoration and fashion sections. If I to our own point of view. people you’ve heard a lot about you want ever find myself short of inspiration, I talk to ask questions about new things or get to two or three people about it and pick up So, there is no specific story right now? new stuff out of them. And those who are two or three things that somehow give me No, I don’t currently have a topic that I not yet very well-known you want to ask the spark of an idea. And most of the time think I’ve always wanted to do. Other- entourage arranges my schedule should not be determined by my enough to get a man interested. And, about all sorts of things. So basically, I can jerry-rig something worthwhile out wise I’d be doing it! accordingly. As to how I feel personally personal whims but by deadlines set by personally, I don’t believe all that much either is fine by me, and while I also of that plus some anecdotes from my own – I sometimes think I’ve already missed third parties. Thank God there are also in separating men’s issues from women’s choose people according to my taste, I life. How do you react five minutes before the fa- the deadline by a week. people who make sure I arrive on time – or that men are only into engines and always keep in my mind whether it would mous deadline if your text is not yet ready? for all my appointments. computer games while women just want appeal to our readers. What topical story are you currently dying (Laughs) As people know me and the way Did you ever completely forget about a to read recipes and stuff about menstrual to do? I work, the editorial staff start to appeal to deadline? And my last question: As a woman, how do cramps. The two sexes are far closer than How often does writer’s block afflict you Luckily, I don’t need to jump onto any me a week ahead of time so my texts will No, nothing ever slips my mind. I take you make «Barbara» appealing to men? many people think. I’m sure men can get when writing your editorial – and what do current-affairs bandwagons, because actually be done by the time the final «Barbara» very seriously. And I am well By telling them: It contains everything a kick out of our magazine.

you do about it? everyone else is doing that. So, my deadline comes around. My entire Photos: Axel Heimken/dpa Picture-Alliance/Keystone, Wiese/face face to aware that the publication of a magazine women care about. That should be

14 | DOMO – April 2019 DOMO – April 2019 | 15 In this feature, DOMO regularly presents the best photographs published by Ringier titles in the past quarter. FOCUS ON RINGIER You will find more excellent pictures from the past quarter on our Facebook page DomoRingier. Ringier’s best photos of the last quarter Our best pictures and their stories: Fake sausages, a model amidst cars and donkeys, an angry artist and two tributes: one to «Twin Peaks», and one to photographer Jean Revillard.

BOLERO JEAN REVILLARD, who died on January 3rd L’ILLUSTRÉ KIPLING PHILLIPS Photographer at the age of 51, has left us a rich photographic ROLF NEESER Photographer HELEN POMBO Editor legacy. He won two World Press Photo Awards JULIE BBODY Editor «Standpunkt» (point of view) is and was internationally regarded as one of If your mouth starts the title of this fashion spread Switzerland’s best known and most commit- watering at the sight of this in the fashion and lifestyle ted photo reporters. Bertrand Cottet, photo photograph, look again. magazine Bolero. It is hard to editor at L’illustré, pays tribute to the Geneva Because in Dominique imagine a more appropriate photographer who worked closely with the Kähler’s butcher’s shop, nothing is real except title, because this pictorial editors of Ringier Axel Springer. for the butcher’s wife. From the pig’s head to feature not only gives us a view of current the sausage and the cold cuts, everything is fashion. All pictures were taken from the same What was fascinating about knitted. Or artfully fabricated, if you prefer. vantage point: on a busy intersection in the Jean Revillard’s photo- On assignment for L’illustré at a festival for middle of Marrakech, Morocco. «We wanted graphs, apart from their contemporary textile art in Avenches VD, to be in a vibrant city. In a place teeming with power and humanity, was photographer Rolf Neeser met «Madame people, carriages, animals and cars. Marrakech the places where he took his pictures. In the Tricot», who had perfectly recreated – or was just the ticket,» says Kristin Müller, the refugee camps at Patras, Greece, in the middle rather re-knitted – a historical butcher’s shop editor in charge. But being at the center of of the night. With Sarah, a prostitute, in a in the city. «This subject was irresistibly funny. attention can also be exhausting. Because the damp Italian forest, his feet in the water. Fly- We immediately fell in love with this vegan photographs were taken from one traffic ing next to Solar Impulse, high above the pyr- extravaganza,» says Art Director Julie Body. island to another. «The air quality was bad, the amids in Egypt. In the forest of Calais, for his «We published the picture – tongue firmly in noise level horrendous. We only had a small pictures of the temporary migrants’ shacks. cheek – on the occasion of the Saint Martin van in which to touch up the make-up and Or way up in the Alps with electrosensitive festival, which takes place every year in the change outfits,» says Müller. What was really people who have retreated into solitude. Jean canton of Jura. The popular name of the nice though was the response from the locals. Revillard was an adventurer who constantly festival is ‹Fête du Cochon› (Pig Festival).» «They were not only very surprised, but also came up with ideas and meticulously prepared very interested and extremely friendly,» his projects and goals. His nearly boundless according to Müller. strength and his willpower led him into SCHWEIZER ILLUSTRIERTE difficult terrain, time and again. Regardless, KURT REICHENBACH Photographer he would happily deviate from the planned ELLE ROMANIA NICOLE SPIESS Editor itinerary. Jean would take these liberties DAN BELEIU Photographer saying there were no straight lines in nature. Tousled hair, an orange DOMNICA MARGESCU, Editors vest, outdoor shoes – Miri- MAURICE MUNTEANU He would also leave room for ambiguity in his photographs. This ambiguity is what creates am Cahn does not look like The model’s posture may seem meaning, he said. And he always fought a world-famous artist. Or at a little unusual, but it is by no against his photos’ being labeled as documen- least not like the way one means coincidental. «Twin tary. Jean appealed to the intelligence of his would picture her. But this 69-year-old artist Peaks» was the title of the audience and attracted their attention. This from Basel has caused quite a stir with her fashion spread in ELLE was often a result of the way he used light. paintings: «Me as a person» is the title of her Romania magazine. According One example is his well-known photo series solo show at the Bern art museum, curated to Domnica Margescu, ELLE’s Fashion «Jungles», which he shot in Calais. He gave and hung by Cahn herself. The exhibition is Director, the pose was inspired by Laura migrants back their status as human beings by not for the faint of heart. The «sex room», for Palmer, the murder victim in David Lynch’s shining a spotlight on them and photograph- example, features her clitoral version of cult TV series. Not that the fashion in the ing them and their shacks the way one would Gustav Courbet’s «The Origin of the World». picture is completely irrelevant. After all, the normally photograph stars. Not only are you faced directly with a woman’s blouse is Michael Kors, the stockings are pudenda, as in the 19th-century original, Calzedonia and the boots are Prada. «But the which was already scandalous in its time. Cahn message of the picture is that fashion is upside ups the ante and updates the provocation for down these days and that the social message our age by dressing the woman in a burka is usually more important than fashion,» says pulled up to her breasts. «Anger is a good Margescu. motor,» says Cahn. Her message: Woman is not a gentle creature. So photographer Kurt Reichenbach made sure to tread carefully on his assignment for Schweizer Illustrierte. He discovered: «She is a very down-to-earth person and small talk isn’t really her cup of tea. But she was nice all the same.»

16 | DOMO – April 2019 DOMO – April 2019 | 17 FOCUS ON RINGIER In this feature, DOMO regularly presents the best photographs published by Ringier titles in the past quarter. RMC RMC

Kicking off the RMC, Ringier CEO Marc Walder (left) promises the assembled Ringier management a line-up of «world-class speakers» – a promise that he has certainly kept. Among others onstage: (right, from the top): Pascal Kaufmann, CEO of Starmind: «Technology is developing exponentially, but humans do so in a straight line.» Christoph Keese, CEO Axel Springer hy GmbH: «98 percent of all disruptors never worked in the industries they destroyed.» Shyam Sankar, co-founder of Palantir: «Data in itself is a dead end!» It would not be an RMC without an interview with publisher Michael Ringier: «Our Hollywood company allows you to do many RMC is taking place at the Kameha to an operative decision.» And Chris- things, even to ak of aktuality.sk: «We had experi- Grand Hotel in Opfikon, Zurich. The toph Keese, CEO of Axel Springer hy make mistakes. enced pressure, vandalism and goal is: Breaking the code. This refers Gmbh, says: «To avoid disruption, The only thing hostility. But murder is truly un- to the corporate strategy 62W+52L. you need to be your own disruptor. you’re not allowed thinkable. And we‘re seeing the dark More than 200 employees from all 19 Build the platform that could be a to do is nothing.» side of digital media. Everybody is in Opfikon Ringier countries have come to the threat to your business model your- insulting journalists these days. If Kameha for this purpose. self. Be your own cannibal!» Pascal you brutalize communication, real- Ringier CEO Marc Walder pre- Kaufmann, the founder of Starmind, ity, too, grows more brutal.» Here is sents examples of how 62W+52L is also inspires the audience. He has what he expects from his company’s At the Ringier Management Conference, the company’s management implemented in the company. Here created the program «Mindfire». Its employees: «Our company allows looks to the future. The speakers decipher brains or call for cannibalism. is what he demands from manage- goal is to decode the human brain. you to make a lot of decisions by ment: «Know your customers. Find Management pundit Dietmar Dah- yourself and to try out things. You At least the star guest isn’t blowing up any cities for once. new sources of revenue. Take your men provides the RMC’s aural and also get to make mistakes. The only platforms to the next level. Master visual highlight: In a shiny suit, he thing you’re not allowed to do is Tech & Data. And never stop learn- speaks at breathtaking speed about nothing.” ing!» disruption, opportunities of change After two days of the RMC, during And there is no shortage of learn- and innovation (see interview on which Ringier’s management gained t the beginning of the Ringier with «Independence Day», «The Day The star guest at virtual reality with social media. It’s ing to be done at the RMC. For exam- page 20). He also drags a nine-foot powerful insights and an overview A Management Conference (RMC), After Tomorrow» and «Godzilla» the RMC: German a kind of virtual-reality live-stream- ple from Shyam Sankar, the cardboard shark onto the stage for of current and future technologies Ringier CEO Marc Walder promises alone. However, Emmerich has not movie director ing app.» Remarkable: While his co-founder of the Big Data specialist illustration purposes and wields a and trends, CEO Marc Walder said in fifteen world-class speakers. One of come to the RMC as a Hollywood star Roland Emmerich films thrive on flashy special effects Palantir: «Data in itself is a dead end. chainsaw! conclusion: «Think entrepreneurial- them is even a real global star: Ro- but as a budding entrepreneur. To- (Independence and incredible twists and turns, the Artificial intelligence only works if The interview with Michael Ring- ly! Collaborate between depart- land Emmerich, the German-born gether with film producer Marco Day) presents his man from Baden-Württemberg you have the right data.» But even ier is a long-standing tradition at the ments, companies and countries! director and film producer. Whether Weber he presents the product they app «Vresh» to the comes across as an extremely modest these have to be transformed into RMC. The publisher, interviewed by Invest in young talent! And test new you like his films or not, he has have jointly developed: the «Vresh» Ringier manage- and down-to-earth person. knowledge and understood. «And author Peter Hossli, is still shocked ideas. And if the ideas don’t work:

grossed almost two billion US dollars app. Emmerich: «The app combines ment. For the third time running, the Buchwalder Thomas Photos: then, everything needs to be linked at the murder of journalist Ján Kuci- Kill them!» 

18 | DOMO – April 2019 DOMO – April 2019 | 19 INTERVIEW

n interview with Dietmar Dahmen to me, I’m not interested. Nowadays, Sorry, but I still don’t feel it. A feels a bit like a boxing match. The everything has to work intuitively; who Okay. If you have a good wine on the Austrian’s verbal blows pelt you at an in- ever reads operating instructions? table, you can admire the label on the credible pace – and from all sides. His bottle. But that’s all the bottle can do, statements are uttered with such emphasis But all things aren’t that simple in this unless you drink the wine. But if the wine and enthusiasm one should really put an world. is in blockchain, I can learn everything exclamation mark behind every sentence. Of course not! That’s why they have to about it. Where it was grown. Who the make small innovations big and big wine grower was. Where it was stored. BAMM, WHAM, BOP! Dietmar Dahmen, innovations small. A self-driving car For how long. Who shipped it, stored it, your presentations look like Batman scares people. But if you approach it step sold it. The entire history! That enriches comics, your performances are pretty loud. by step, it’ll work. First cruise control, the customer’s experience! And not just What is behind this? then distance control, then automatic with wine, but with everything in the The insight that knowledge is pointless! parking – one by one. That’s something blockchain. Blockchain makes things people can deal with! That’s why I’m exciting. This even works for ordinarily But knowledge is power! asking company bosses to experiment rather boring things like recycling. In many of the various positions I have with blockchain on a small scale. Just try held, be it as an advertiser, as a managing it, don’t be afraid of mistakes! Second-hand clothes are not exactly big director or as a lecturer, I have always had business. to convey information. Believe me, What makes you think Blockchain will Sustainability is not a «hardship». information goes into people’s ears, but it change everything or at least a great deal? Sustainability is an opportunity. What if doesn’t penetrate their brains – and The advantage of the Internet was the you could see where your used or certainly not their hearts! democratization of information. Now it’s recycled clothing had been? Who had about the democratization of truths. In worn it? That way, your used jeans Do things tend to stick better when you get the blockchain I can track «facts». Is the become a challenge cup. Or you buy a tent loud? mileage in the used car real? Is the watch, that has been to the Sahara, to Zermatt Often, we all know exactly what we the cognac, the garment real? Even and on Everest! Products acquire a Dietmar Dahmen should and should not do. But we do not ownership, identity, everything that has narrative thanks to blockchain. That’s a onstage at the Ringier act accordingly. We drink too much so far needed to be notarized can also be way to generate new interactions with Management Confer- alcohol, drive too fast, get too little sleep. handled faster, better and more easily by the customer. ence. «I emotionalize Knowing something is useless. Only if blockchain. This permits new functional the information and you interiorize it, if you feel it inside growth for any company as well as How should a company’s CEO approach the work with simple yourself, will you change your behavior. technological growth through new issue? pictures,» he says. That’s why I combine knowledge with functionalities. You have to want it! Only then will you emotions in my lectures. That is not have the energy to really sit down and always – as you call it – «loud», but most of And where will new markets emerge? actually try to make sense of the whole the time it is (laughs). Everywhere! At last I know whether the thing. If you don’t want it, don’t do it. You cow whose organic milk I drink really need to realize what novel things it When it comes to blockchain, about which was on a mountain pasture. And the art allows you to do. AND THEN YOU HAVE you lecture ... collector knows that his painting is TO DO IT! I’ll say it out loud: WE NEED Everyone knows this technology will genuine and once hung in Jackie Onas- NEW TYPES OF ACTION! If you use the come and stand a lot of things on their sis’s parlor. But that alone is not enough. new technology to do the same thing as heads. The point is that you can offer completely before, the idea is a waste. Then you’re new services, it’s about customer like the people who used to print e-mails. But? relationships. Most entrepreneurs just wait and do Isn’t it wiser to let the competition make nothing! Because they know it, but they the first investments and mistakes and to don’t feel it. At my last event, I shouted at be the «first follower»? people through a megaphone: «BLOCK- Yes, that’ll work too. The early bird gets «Real life is CHAIN IS HERE! YOU CAN’T SAY YOU the worm. But: the second mouse gets the HAVEN’T HEARD.» But then I Iower my Dietmar Dahmen cheese. What you don’t want to be is the voice and talk about it quietly, «sub rosa», third mouse. By then the cheese is gone. Austrian-born Dietmar Dahmen, 52, began his as it were. And I actually give away roses So, you at least need to plan how to get career as a strategic planner and spent the in the hall and tell them that flower the cheese, and when the time is right, next 20 years working in marketing in imports from Africa are increasingly you can move quickly out of your hole! If Hamburg, Los Angeles, Munich, New York and managed via blockchain. you don’t plan at all, you have no idea and Vienna. Today, Dahmen works independently you’ll be too late. as a professional speaker and consultant on Your visual language is, shall we put it this change, innovation and disruptive market dirty» way: simple. So, it’s a matter of timing. strategies with global clients and engagements As it should be! KISS – Keep It Simple, Exactly. But if you decide to wait, for how around the globe. He is an expert on the Stupid! A CEO will certainly understand long are you going to do that? Until «Business is Fight Club,» Dietmar Dahmen says – or shouts, actually! future, transformation and disruptive anything a three-year-old child can get! Rupert Murdoch enters the market? If marketing at the European Association of Emotionalizing the information is a first you bet on Blockchain now, you will have Because the performances by this expert on the future, transformation Communication Agencies and founder of step. But the content must be simple and a few competitors but not a hundred. I BAMM! Institute for Transformation and holds understandable. As soon as people have think it’s better to be on your toes. and disruptive marketing are loud and shrill. «They have to be! Otherwise the position of Chief Innovation Officer at «ecx. to think too much, it won’t work. The Otherwise you’ll eventually realize that io-an IBM Company». nothing would stick in our minds and hearts!» Interview: Alejandro Velert same goes for business: If you have to the marathon has started and you haven’t

Photo: Thomas Buchwalder Thomas Photo: take a long time to explain an innovation been training for it.

20 | DOMO – April 2019 DOMO – April 2019 | 21 INTERVIEW MICHAEL RINGIER

«The restaurant owner does the C-O-O-L stuff. Artificial Intelligence The End of a legend takes on the shit at the bottom»

Dietmar Dahmen t the end of the eighties, it imum. Their goal is not to save a was a sight that had never publication but to squeeze out all been seen in Canton Lu- liquid assets and sell off the re- cerne. Twenty-five black mains. Alimousines approached the Adli- genswil printing plant in single file, Gannett, a listed stock corporation and those who took a closer look at since 1967, is not entirely blameless the environs spotted suspicious in all of this. In 2015, the enterprise movements in the bushes sur- had been split up. One company rounding the industrial estate: called Tegna got all the electronic snipers and security guards were and digital activities, the other got tokens of the highest level of US all the newspapers. The goal was security. After all, the wife of for- defined as follows: «These are sig- mer President Jimmy Carter was nificant next steps in our ongoing paying a visit to what was then Eu- initiatives to increase shareholder So, what does a smart CEO do? shine at emotionally and show heart. At That’s why Deep Learning doesn’t work rope’s only printing plant with a value by building scale, increasing BE RADICAL, BAMM, BOOM! Do, do, do Google, they’ve set up gondolas, ping- there. That’s why the developers madly satellite aerial on its roof. cash flow, sharpening management and stop thinking so much! Run it up the pong tables and heaven knows what else. collect data from real cars and feed the AI focus and strengthening all of our flagpole, invest in relevant companies. It doesn’t make much sense, but it’s with it. If we go back to the restaurant The reason for this Hollywood-like business.» Just how the newspaper That will get you a few experts to start C-O-O-L. And motivated employees are owner: What happens if the farmer next entrance was a board meeting of group – all by itself – was supposed with. And if you’re a big company like good employees. I call that a digital door throws shit on the field adjoining Michael Ringier, Publisher Ringier, offer your first products in upgrade. the restaurant? AI won’t be any help! Gannett, the largest American to achieve these things was unfor- certain markets and see what works. That’s where the restaurant owner needs newspaper publisher, headed by tunately not explained in the rest of Business is Fight Club! If you don’t move What would constitute a downgrade? to step in. Because humans can do the legendary Al Neuharth and this stock broker’s missive. In lieu fast and strike first, you’ll get clobbered. If you let AI steal your job. My doctor context, AI can’t. Humans also have with Rosalynn Carter on the board suddenly looked similar. It was un- of a financial dowry, the newspaper takes my blood, a machine analyses it culture, AI doesn’t. Those types of tasks Another big topic in your lectures is «Artifi- and tells him what medication to will be left with humans. of directors, which took place on doubtedly the biggest newspaper group was allowed to keep the cial Intelligence» (AI). Do you see any major prescribe. Basically, he could throw in Bürgenstock mountain near Lu- innovation of recent decades – name Gannett. How long this name changes ahead for us in that field? the towel, but he does the opposite. He Can you appreciate why people are afraid of cerne. In 1982, Al Neuharth had probably without ever having made would continue to exist may soon AI is pushing its way into absolutely attends to me much more, has more time, all these developments? founded «USA Today», the first US any real profit. However, the many be decided by the hedge fund’s everything that can become algorithms, provides me with comprehensive, Why? Disruption only works if it im- national daily and the only one in other regional newspapers as well strip-miners. However, this exam- from production to advertising. This will holistic care. That’s how it should be. proves the customers’ world. If it makes it have a great impact on people’s jobs. Take worse, we won’t do it. Who would opt for the world to make use of satellite as radio and television stations, ple should also be heeded by all an inn, for example. AI checks the So, how smart is Artificial Intelligence? a customer experience that is worse? The transmission. With a circulation of generated over 5 billion in sales for those European newspaper entre- weather forecast and uses it to predict the It mostly depends on the environment. Stone Age did not end because they ran over 2.2 million and almost seven Gannett in the 1990s, easily keep- preneurs who only allow tradition- approximate number of guests. Now AI out of stones but because someone got a million readers, it became Ameri- ing the paper going. But now? al print titles to graze on their organizes the right amount of staff, for The environment needs to match the metal ax. That’s why it’s so important ca’s biggest newspaper. Entire green pastures: The milk yield and example via Whatsapp. And AI also technology? that you always remain dissatisfied with knows which drinks will be particularly Exactly. You can feed a computer the your own solutions. If we don’t offer the hosts of journalists made the pil- At the beginning of this year, Gan- the feed costs are unfortunately in demand and knows the stock levels. AI rules of chess and after four days the customer the better product, someone grimage to Arlington, Virginia, to nett received an offer to take over evolving in completely opposite therefore takes on a large number of thing plays better, as if it had analyzed 50 else will. The world is full of start-ups – glean new ideas from this hybrid of the entire company for just 1.36 directions. operational tasks. AI is S-M-A-R-T, i.e. million games. But that doesn’t mean you and they all want to succeed. And the for-sale and free newspapers and billion dollars – which is still 23 per- S-specific, M-easurable, A-pplicable, can teach the self-driving car the traffic advantage of something new does not its blend of tabloid and traditional cent above its current market value. R-ealistic, T-imed. rules and subsequently end up with a necessarily have to do with quality. smart car that can handle any situation. dailies. The hedge fund Alden Global Capi- And what does the restaurant owner do? In chess, you don’t get drunks who kick What else? tal, dubbed a «destroyer of newspa- He does the C-O-O-L stuff! He does the away the chessboard, or a child running You need more simplicity! Spotify with The «USA Today» layout style and pers» by «Bloomberg News» and C-omprehensive, O-ffbeat, O-pen-heart- onto the playing area. Chess is an MP3 is inferior to an analog record. But particularly its use of utterly novel described as «ruthless corporate ed, L-ibidinous stuff. In Maslow’s extremely clean environment, always the Spotify is so much easier. So, whenever I infographics were copied around strip-miners» by the «Washington hierarchy of needs the restaurant owner’s same. Real life is dirty! apply a technology, there’s a crucial job moves up, while AI takes on the shit at question: How do I simplify my custom- the world. In Hong Kong, Hamburg Post», is known for cutting down

the bottom. People like tasks they can And highly chaotic. ers’ lives? Photo: Maurice Haas and Houston all of the newspapers editorial offices to an absolute min-

22 | DOMO – April 2019 DOMO – April 2019 | 23 THE RELOTIUS AFFAIR

Resist your own mindset or ideology that governs your work, but the facts. A journalist who fakes and invents is like a doctor who refuses to help the sick.

Name, age, origin. At the outset 4 of any investigative interview, Relotius! always ask the same three questions: What is your name? How old are you? Fake features, pretend protagonists, made-up meetings. «Spiegel» journalist Where do you come from? Everyone Claas Relotius managed to hoodwink (almost) everybody. But how can editors has a name, an age, a place of origin. protect themselves? And what can journalists do to resist the temptation of Selfie. Make sure you are photo- 5 graphed with your protagonists. following his example? A 10-point manual. Peter Hossli This will allow you to prove that the people that you’re featuring in your reports actually exist. Also, bring back a verifiable telephone number. he news broke shortly before T Christmas 2018, and it rattled the … for chiefs sters in journalism undermine it. Teamwork. Work in teams! Four media industry: German «Spiegel» They have no place on an editorial 6 eyes see more than two. As a re- reporter Claas Relotius (33) was not team. porter, you should work with pho- really a reporter but a brazen Attitude. Make your reporters tographers whenever possible. tale-spinner, the Hamburg weekly 1 realize they are not artists but Reporter’s luck. Send your re- revealed. Relotius had faked dozens service providers. It’s not their opin- 6 porters out into the world wish- Captions. When your research is of his articles. The multiple- ion they should bring into their work, ing them «reporter’s luck», together 7 done, sit down at the computer award-winning journalist made up but the right attitude. This will oblige with a clear mission: «Come back with your photographer, jointly select characters, scenes, quotes, even en- them to stick as close to the truth as with a different story than the one the pictures and write the captions. tire interviews and wrote profiles of possible. you had in mind.» Working together will prevent mis- people who do not exist. takes. Photographers. Don’t skimp on No blinkers. Tell your reporters 2 the budget for photographers. 7 to ditch their blinkers, not to Writing. Good journalistic writ- Four eyes see more than two. When look exclusively to the left or to the 8 ing is more than just turning photographers and reporters do field right, but to take in all sides, untram- phrases. It includes developing an work together, they bring back a meled by ideology. idea, research, writing, fact-check- better story – and it makes sure nei- ing, revision. Do your research thor- ther of them cheats. Corrigendum. Introduce a corri- oughly and tell unbiased stories. The 8 gendum. Correct even minor actual writing constitutes a mere Notes. Demand insight into the mistakes publicly, on all channels: in fraction of a reporter’s work. 3 notes. Any reporter will keep newspapers, on the radio, on TV, Journalist Claas Relotius handwritten and digital notes during online. This will reassure your audi- Style. Make sure your writing is an investigation. If in doubt, carry ence and prevent future mistakes. 9 straightforward and clear, free of And of all things, it was the out spot checks. Demand selfies of Because nobody wants to appear in digressions, never self-indulgent or «Spiegel», whose motto «Sagen, was your reporters with the protagonists the corrigendum. cynical. Flowery sentences are never ist» (Tell it like it is) stood for quality they meet. welcome, not even in love letters. and factual accuracy, that fell for this. No frills. In all your products, call Find the right balance between tell- Deploying an abundance of criminal Proofreading. Give more power 9 for straightforward and clearly ing and informing. energy, Relotius had succeeded in 4 to your proofreaders. Few publi- written texts. Intelligibility is your Local reporting. No matter where Spiegel’s deceiving «Spiegel»’s redoubtable cations can afford «Spiegel»-style number-one priority. … for reporters 2 you are, behave like a local jour- Nightmare: In Craft. Journalism is not an art; fact checkers. For the media industry, fact-checking departments. This nalist, not like a foreign correspond- December 2018, 10 it is a craft. When a bricklayer the scandal comes at a highly inop- makes proofreading all the more Skepticism. The better the ent. Get up close, talk to people – and the magazine builds a wall, it needs to hold up the portune moment, damaging its rep- important. Skimping on that will 10 story sounds, the more you Curiosity. Let yourself be driven always assume that your texts will be revealed that their house. If it can’t, he has done his job utation and credibility. Relotius fans diminish the quality of your product. should be leery and double-check its 1 by one thing primarily: curiosity. read by everyone you write about. journalist Claas badly, and even if it’s beautifully the flames of those who denounce the authenticity. Always question its Nothing matters more to a journalist Relotius had faked painted, such a wall will be of no use media as «lying press» or dissemina- Consequences. Crack down on plausibility, have qualms, be suspi- than the insatiable urge to want to Attitude. Honesty is your moral numerous articles. to the bricklayer. For journalists, facts tors of «fake news». How can such 5 cheats! Credibility is your great- cious. So much the better if your re- understand. If that’s your motive, you 3 compass. If you drop it, you are the building blocks with which counterfeiting be prevented? est asset. Counterfeiters and fraud- porter can allay all your doubts. Paul Photo: Seewer won’t fake. should look for a different job. It is not they create a true story that holds up.

24 | DOMO – April 2019 DOMO – April 2019 | 25 RINGIER MEETS THE STARS I didn’t want DJ Bobo’s briefs He’s been the «King of Dance» for over 25 years. The summer hit «Chihuahua» launched him into the Pantheon of Pop, but his «Vampires» put a stake through his heart at the Eurovision Song Contest. DOMO author René Haenig experienced many ups and downs with Switzerland’s most successful musician up close – and almost wound up sharing a pair of underpants with Bobo. Text René Haenig

nyone who, like me, has been group Lordi the meaning of fear. With flight from Zurich in Frankfurt and Aworking for Schweizer Illustrierte his vampire song, DJ Bobo wants to only just caught the connecting flight for many years, will inevitably find suck the «Hard Rock Halleluja» blood to Cape Town. The joy only lasted themselves having to do more than out of them – and finally lead his until I landed. Because there I learned usual with certain celebrities or star- homeland to an ESC victory after all that my luggage did not make it into lets. DJ Bobo, 51, has long been one of those years of shame. The Swiss pop the connecting plane during the stop- the people I track closely. Together we star enters the race as a hot favorite, over in Germany. Even better, the have already enjoyed the sun in Cape even though his wife Nancy seriously suitcase was on its way to America Town, the depressing darkness of warned him months before: «Bobo, instead of Africa – to Miami. Helsinki, the gleeful screams of Bo- don’t do that thing with the Euro Despair is hardly an adequate term bo’s kids Jamiro (now 16) and Kayley song.» Sometimes you should listen to describe my state of mind at that (now 12) at Europapark as well as to your woman. Already in the moment. The southwest coast of Af- surviving a wild drive through East- semi-finals, Bobo suffers a shocking rica is hot and humid. And I have no ern Germany – from Dresden to Ber- defeat: He is roundly shut out of the change of clothes. And, of all times, lin. So, I am entitled to make this international singing competition. during the Easter holidays, when the claim for myself: From time to time, I We have basically agreed to conduct shops are closed. One man keeps his was basically glued to Bobo’s ass. a short interview even in the case of cool: Bobo. «I can give you some of my He often enjoyed that. But there an (unimaginable) upset. Due to time briefs.» – «Hmm, er, don’t bother! I’ll was also this one moment when he constraints, we have already pro- just wash my things in the evening would have loved to run me over with duced the photos of the singer in a and let them dry overnight,» I decline, his car. I don’t blame him for that. victorious pose in advance. But after with thanks. Firstly, he wasn’t personally sitting the semi-finals, Bobo sneaks through I should have accepted his offer. behind the wheel, and secondly, he the back entrance of our hotel without For two reasons. was so depressed at the time that he a word, slips into his room and sinks Because in Helsinki, the day after probably would have run down any- into a hot bathtub (as his wife told me his disgrace, Bobo tries to get to the one who wanted to accost and ques- the following morning). airport in secret. I run out of the hotel tion him at this bleakest moment of Only a few months earlier, he had and, impelled by hubris as much as his musical career. invited me to Camps Bay near Cape my sense of professional duty, stand It happened at the 2007 Eurovision Town in South Africa to talk about his in the way of his car. I could have Song Contest (ESC) in Helsinki. The upcoming ESC appearance and for the hoisted Bobo’s briefs as a sign of my erstwhile Swiss baker’s apprentice first time publicly present his then willingness to negotiate. If that hadn’t René Baumann (DJ Bobo’s real name) five-month-old daughter. A joyful worked, I could now at least auction comes to the Finnish capital ready to meeting that almost came to brief: his underpants on Ebay – including

Photo: Getty Images teach the heavy-metal rockers of the Because I had landed with a very late the skid marks from his car. 

26 | DOMO – April 2019 DOMO – April 2019 | 27 MY WEEK

Yetunde Oyeleke, Director for Marketing «Everyone needs Ringier Africa Digital Publishing WEEKEND

to be informed» Saturday starts off by 9 am with swimming Yetunde Oyeleke’s week is packed with meetings, chats and classes for Iman. conference calls. And even on weekends she scarcely slows Then it’s off to a friend’s wedding and down. But then it’s her family that comes first. then a quick meet THURSDAY with some other friends for drinks and My morning is spent reviewing brand newsletter campaigns movies. In between, I for clients, then I have a quick meet with the Head of Finance. check with the One of the cool Following this is a quick chat with the graphics team. Later in weekend teams MONDAY things about the evening, I join my husband for an event his team at work when necessary. work is the fact that I get to liaise with have organized. It is an opportunity for me to meet potential Sunday starts off with different teams across different clients for our brands. a family event and I countries. I kick off the week with a get to wear my Skype call with all the marketing team traditional attire. leads in Ghana and Kenya. We discuss Later on, I meet up ongoing initiatives, performance FRIDAY with some of my analyses, special campaigns, the focus cousins at the park for the new week and planned content formats. In the afternoon, the content and we go paintball- teams in Nigeria (marketing, editorial, video) meet to discuss our elections coverage ing. In the evening, I plan. Somehow, I’ve managed to skip lunch so I make up for things with a snack of catch up on some moin-moin, a traditional Nigerian dish made of ground boiled beans, and salad. ‘me’ time with my daughter and husband, then TUESDAY together we begin planning for the week My two-year-old daughter Iman has a Continental Day and general event in school today, and she’s super excited. She is housekeeping. representing India, so my husband Bolaji and I have a mini photo session with her in Indian dress at home before taking her to school. At the office, I take on Skype calls with the content directors of Ringier Africa Digital; in the afternoon, I join the sales team to give updates on content formats, social & newsletter performance.

WEDNESDAY As part of my New Year resolution to keep fit, I start the day with a 30-minute exercise, which means I only get to work by 8:20 am. The focus for the day is to plan our coverage of the Nigerian parliamenta- ry and presidential elections. The EIC, Pulse Africa, the Senior Editor, Pulse Nigeria, and I meet with Marek Mracka, the Media/Digital On Fridays, the atmosphere is always a bit more relaxed. I join Communications Analyst for the EU Election Observation Mission to the weekly management Skype conference call with all the discuss the role of the media houses in the upcoming elections. At country directors and team leads. We discuss the week’s Pulse, we want to make sure all Nigerians are correctly informed, so events, key projects or collaborations, content initiatives and we will be creating articles, videos, infographics and polls, to ensure so on. A few meetings, then I end the week with my team at that all of our users can get informed quickly, easily and in the a team-bonding session. relevant format.

28 | DOMO – April 2019 DOMO – April 2019 | 29 ANNIVERSARIES Editor’s Choice by Marc Walder The Manager’s Manager Ringier CEO Marc Walder tells you which books he is reading Patricia Buck’s first boss, 20 years ago, was Ralph Büchi. Her next boss was: and why they fascinate him. Ralph Büchi. And her current boss is: Ralph Büchi. «And yet, nothing is the same as it used to be,» says the assistant to the CEO of Ringier Axel Springer. Tara Westover EDUCATED Tara Westover is 17 Photos: Geri Born, private years old when she first sets foot in a classroom. This is because Tara’s atricia Buck is just 19 years old when father is a fundamental- Pshe starts working at the reception ist Mormon. Instead of going to desk of the financial weekly Handelszei- school, Tara and her six older sib- tung. She previously graduated from a lings have to help out at their fa- private commercial college and finished a ther’s junkyard in Idaho. And this one-year internship with a lawyer. The CEO is a father who will not call a doc- and (co-)owner of Handelszeitung at that tor even if one of the children is time is Ralph Büchi. But Patricia Buck soon seriously injured. Nothing could grows bored in her job and tries her luck be further from this world than elsewhere. When she returns a few months education. Nevertheless, Tara later, the position as assistant to the boss Westover finds the strength to cut opens up – and Buck applies. «My work- the cord and leave her family to go mates advised me against it! Büchi is a her own way. She gets into col- tough boss, everyone said.» lege, graduates with distinction After working with Büchi for 20 years, and, with the support of the Bill the 39-year-old knows: «He’s a perfection- Gates Foundation, earns a Mas- ist who demands high quality.» She admits ter‘s Degree in Philosophy at this can be a bit exhausting at times. «Un- Cambridge. Later, she was even fortunately, he’s usually right!» When he awarded a PhD in history. Westov- is not, she knows how to stand her ground. er is a strong-willed, highly gifted «An anxious little mouse would be out of and impressive young woman. In place at his side.» «Educated», she tells her life story Her current tasks hardly resemble the authentically and without pulling job she started out in, says Buck. «The in- any punches. A book that gets dustry, the company, the requirements, under your skin. everything has changed.» She, too, is not «merely» an assistant, but also organizes John Carreyrou trips, events or entire conferences. After BAD BLOOD twenty years, she knows her boss – just as he knows her – inside out. «I know what he At the peak of its value, wants – and what he doesn’t.» Neverthe- Elizabeth Holmes’s less, they have maintained a certain pro- company was worth fessional distance. «He calls me by my first nine billion dollars. But name, but using the German polite form of only a little later, address. I call him Mr. Büchi or boss.» everything vanished into thin air Speaking of names: The C in her first name even though Holmes had long is pronounced like an S, because Patricia been regarded as the female Ste- Buck has French roots. ve Jobs. With Theranos, her labo- Like her boss, Patricia Buck is a passion- ratory company, the 19-year-old ate skier. «I have an apartment in Davos, start-up prodigy vowed to revolu- my partner and I almost always go there on tionize the medical industry. In weekends.» And now, spurred by her boss, Silicon Valley, Elizabeth Holmes she goes to the gym two or three times a and her team garnered a lot of week. «For a long time, I shunned sports, hype, despite the fact that her even though I’d played tennis quite well in fabled system for sampling and my youth.» That leaves very little time for analyzing blood with handheld her other hobby: cooking. devices never worked! Pulitzer The question remains as to what Patricia Prize winner John Carreyrou, Buck will do when Ralph Büchi becomes The company name of Patricia Buck’s employer changed several writing for the Wall Street Journal, Chairman of the Board at Axel Springer in times over the past 20 years: from Handelszeitung to Axel began tracking down this enor- Berlin. «I’m not worried about that. He will Springer to RASCH. Her top boss, however, remained the same: mous case of fraud in 2015. In his keep an office in Zurich in the future. And Ralph Büchi. When Patricia is not working, she enjoys skiing, award-winning book, Carreyrou he’ll need someone to manage the manag- mostly in Davos, or cooking, e.g. trout baked in foil with aspara- tells the gripping story of his rev- er’s work.» AV  gus and tomatoes, as seen in this photograph. elations.

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