Generation change at Viva AG for Communication
Four decades after the founding and successful management of Viva AG für Kommunikation, owner Georg Gasser is handing over the helm to a new management team. According to a press release, the generational change is intended to provide a breath of fresh air while at the same time ensuring continuity.
At the beginning of July 2024, Georg Gasser transferred the operational management of Viva AG für Kommunikation to a newly formed Executive Board in order to concentrate on his strategic role as founder and owner of the company and Chairman of the Board of Directors.
The generational change is the result of a lengthy and prudent internal process that began almost three years ago: "My primary goal was and is to ensure stability, continuity and a breath of fresh air for our clients, employees and business partners," Gasser is quoted as saying in a press release. "I am convinced that we have succeeded in achieving this with the new division of tasks within the rejuvenated and well-trained management team and the co-agency management."
New and established heads in the co-agency management
The new Viva management team consists of four people: Viva's operational agency management is now jointly in the hands of Karin Beutler (Managing Director, Head of Consulting & Publishing) and Mirco Baumann (Managing Director, Head of Operations). The two are supported by the long-standing division heads Robert Knopf (Head of Design & Production) and Matthias Strebel (Head of Digital & Data), who have been promoted to members of the extended management team.
Karin Beutler joined the Viva team at the beginning of August. The qualified communications manager with a master's degree in online marketing has a total of 25 years of management and industry experience. As owner and managing director, she ran her own agency for 17 years and has decided to bring her expertise and experience to Viva. Prior to this, Beutler held management positions at Coop and Zürcher Kantonalbank, for example.
Mirco Baumann, who is responsible for the co-agency management of Viva with Karin Beutler, joined Viva as a Senior Consultant in January 2023. He already knows the Viva clients, the team and the partners. Mirco Baumann has broad practical experience, particularly on the client side. He holds a degree in "Betriebsökonom FH" and a "Master of Advanced Studies in Communication Management and Leadership" from the ZHAW. Together with Robert Knopf and Matthias Strebel as well as the other Viva employees, he will ensure the stability and continuity that Georg Gasser is personally committed to for the future of Viva, as well as a breath of fresh air.
Board of Directors strengthened and rejuvenated
The Board of Directors was also strengthened with the same intention. Bianca Gasser has been supporting the Board of Directors for four months. In addition to her Master's degree in Corporate Communication from Northeastern University Boston and further training in leadership, change management and new work, she can look back on several years of national and international professional experience in the communications industry. Bianca Gasser thus initiates the rejuvenation at Board of Directors level. She is currently Head of Human Resources at Basler & Hofmann.
