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#ThinkPaper: Print and the Marketing Disaster

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Photo: Reebok Shoes | Freak Show Be More Human.

By Andreas Weber

Appreciate. Again you hit the point, dear Morten B. Reitoft, when you tell us: ”Marketing People Sucks – Get NEW ones NOW!“

Given the fact that digital transformation is dramatically changing the way companies are run, there is no doubt that this will have an impact on marketing.

Another important aspect is that the print business mainly consists of marketing services. So if you don’t understand marketing, you don’t understand your customers and their business.

The blogger and marketing thought leader Mark Schaefer from the USA, author of the must-read book MARKETING REBELLION, recently noticed that hardly any marketing professionals are being sought. He sees the development of marketing automation driven by algorithms rolling inexorably on us.

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I myself asked a few years ago: Throw out the so-called marketing professionals! Especially those who still have old school thinking and see marketing as a permanent sales pitch. I rarely got so much encouragement, especially from print shop entrepreneurs. But also from their suppliers.

 

From my point of view, what has changed is that a new briefing has clearly arisen: the focus is no longer on brand experience, but on customer experience and benefits.

 

My advice then as now is: Use Smart Communication as a driver of corporate success. Let people with the best understanding of communication move to the front row.

Because the Brand Experience Principle no longer applies. Customer sensitivities and expectations can best be met with an individually-tailored Smart Communication architecture, which should be designed with a customer experience focus.

 

If the Smart Communication strategy, which is so successful for i. e. for Apple, is structured in a systemic way, adapted to your company, and precisely understood in detail, the essence of Smart Communication, you will be able to respond extremely quickly to individual customer needs. There is no other choice! ‘Communication first’ thus goes hand in hand with ‘Customer benefits first.’

At least

Think different! Put your current branding and customer experience strategies to the test and discuss your findings with others.

Rethink and critically assess the values of your company’s current communication approach and processes.

 

 

#ThinkPaper Conversation: Put the strengths of print in the right place!

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#Think!Paper, CEO Talk on Innovation, Digital Transformation, Multi-Channel Innovation, Posts in German Language, Print for the Digital Age, Valuable Advice, Value Transformation, ValueDialog
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ThinkPaper Rüdiger Maaß.001

 

#Think!Paper Edition 3, Vol. 9

Interview by Andreas Weber, Head of Value

 

Nothing stands in the way of the prospering future of print. Assuming we know how it works! That’s the way to describe Rüdiger Maaß‘s credo. For about two decades, he has been tirelessly committed to contemporary, highly effective print media production with a penchant for digital printing and specialties in print. It is therefore fun to deal with him and his actions and to break new ground.

 

What is the beauty of print in the digital age?

Rüdiger Maaß: I think the right answer is a multi-layered list:

  • Multisensory and thus the possibility of deceleration to reach a best-in-class attention
  • Interaction to better bond with the brand
  • Experience through action
  • Immense credibility and navigation aid in the jungle of information aesthetics
  • etc. … the list can be extended as a never-ending story!

But in the end, it’s not just about the “beauty” of print, but about the effect. And this effectiveness becomes all the stronger, the more print is staged by an overall concept in line with digital communication. The task is – as always – to put the strengths of print in the right place.

 

 

Everything in the Mobile Age is so fast. Why is the adaption of digital printing technology innovations so slow?

Rüdiger Maaß: Is it really like that? I’m convinced that digital printing (in whatever form) is immensely fast and fully automated. From my experience, the associated ideas and concepts from the advertising industry are missing – and of course the access to the digital data of the “users”. And in the end it’s all about the courage ☺!

And “fast” is always in the eye of the beholder. Customers who do not know would be surprised to learn that they can get an individual print product in less than 24 hours or even a same day delivery.

 

 

What are the key drivers for a powerful & successful print service biz today and what will it be in the future?

Rüdiger Maaß: The key to success is certainly the conceptual advice — who can not afford, can only assert itself as a ‘print-mate’ in the niche. With our unique ’Creatura’ initiative, we developed the Creatura meta-analysis for advice support how to use print media and special effects in the best way.

This meta-analysis is the bible of ’print staging / conception’. However, the resulting knowledge base is immensely important not only for the service providers, but also for the advertising and communication agencies and for the advertising companies. The key to success is rethinking the direction of impact rather than moving on with speeding up the production process. Because knowledge about the effect of print beats ’quick&dirty reach’.

 

Fotos: f:mp via https://www.creatura.de

The Creatura meta-analysis “The Power of Print” is a must have and must read publication. Available in german and english.

 

About

Rüdiger Maaß is Managing Director of Fachverband Medienproduktion e.V. f:mp — the Association Media Production e.V. — f: mp. From the beginning, he has dedicated himself to the topic of digital printing and has always started effective initiatives to open up new application possibilities for and with print. In the meantime, f: mp has numerous projects and cooperations that lead beyond narrow industry boundaries. High-light is the congress trade fair PRINT & DIGITAL CONVENTION, which will be realized together with Messe Düsseldorf and will provide important impulses at drupa 2020.

 

Im Original: Die deutsche Textversion

Der prosperierenden Zukunft von Print steht nichts im Wege. Vorausgesetzt, wir wissen wie es geht!  So könnte man das Credo von Rüdiger Maaß beschreiben. Unermüdlich setzt er sich seit rund zwei Jahrzehnten für eine zeitgemäße, hoch wirkungsvolle Printmedien-Produktion ein, mit einem Faible für Digitaldruck und Spezialitäten im Print. Es macht daher Spaß, sich mit ihm und seinem Tun auseinanderzusetzen und neue Wege zu beschreiten.

Frage 1

Ich denke, es ist eine vielschichtige Liste:

  • Multisensorik und damit die Möglichkeit der Entschleunigung mit höherer Aufmerksamkeit
  • Interaktion zur besseren Bindung mit der Marke
  • Erlebnis durch Aktion
  • Immense Glaubwürdigkeit und Navigationshilfe im Dschungel der Informationen
  • Ästhetik
  • usw. … die Liste lässt sich beliebig erweitern!

Aber am Ende geht es nicht nur um die „Schönheit“ von Print, sondern um die Wirkung. Und die Wirkungseffizienz wird umso stärker, je mehr Print durch ein Gesamtkonzept im Einklang mit der digitalen Kommunikation inszeniert wird. Aufgabe ist es also – wie schon immer – die Stärken von Print richtig in Szene zu setzen.

Frage 2

Ist das wirklich so? Ich bin überzeugt davon, dass gerade der Digitaldruck (in welcher Form auch immer) immens schnell und voll-automatisiert ist. Aus meiner Erfahrung fehlen die zugehörigen Ideen und Konzepte aus der werbungtreibenden Industrie – und natürlich der Zugriff auf die digitalen Daten der „User“. Und am Ende der Mut ☺!

Und „schnell“ liegt ja immer im Auge des Betrachters. Kunden, die es nicht besser wissen, wären sicher überrascht, zu erfahren, dass sie in weniger als 24 Stunden ein individuelles Printprodukt bekommen können. Oder sogar eine Lieferung am selben Tag!

Frage 3

Der Schlüssel zum Erfolg ist sicher die konzeptionelle Beratung – wer die nicht leisten kann, wird sich als ‚Print-Erfüllungsgehilfe‘ nur in der Nische behaupten können. Mit unserer Creatura-Initiative haben wir zur Beratungsunterstützung – quasi wie Print und Veredelung eingesetzt werden muss – die Creatura-Metaanalyse https://www.creatura.de/metaanalyse entwickelt.

Das ist quasi die ‚Bibel der Print-Inszenierung/Konzeptionierung‘. Die dadurch entstehende Wissens-Basis ist jedoch nicht nur für die Dienstleister immens wichtig, sondern auch für die Werbe- und Kommunikationsagenturen und für die Werbungtreibenden Unternehmen. Der Schlüssel zum Erfolg besteht im Umdenken in Richtung Wirkung und nicht im Weitermachen mit Geschwindigkeitssteigerungen im Produktionsablauf. Denn Wissen um Wirkung von Print schlägt schnelle ‚Reichweite‘.

Über Rüdiger Maaß

Rüdiger Maaß ist Geschäftsführer des Fachverband Medienproduktion e.V. f:mp. Von Anfang an hat er sich dem Thema Digitaldruck gewidmet und stets wirkungsvolle Initiativen begonnen, um für und mit Print neue Anwendungsmöglichkeiten zu erschließen. Inzwischen betreibt der f:mp zahlreiche Projekte und Kooperationen, die über enge Branchengrenzen hinausführen. High-light ist die Kongress-Messe PRINT & DIGITAL CONVENTION, die gemeinsam mit der Messe Düsseldorf realisiert wird und auf der drupa 2020 wichtige Impulse geben wird.

 

 

ThinkPaper Wortbild PRINT

Note

Read as well the summary of all #Think!Paper Conversations and get access to all of them.

 

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#Think!Paper — the key facts at a glance

What we do
We evaluate and profile print and its proponents as an effective driving force for transformation – across all industries!

Our mission
We show, first and foremost, that print is by no means driftwood in an ocean of transformation (with Titanic-style effects) but rather a solid anchor for the ‘tsunamis in our heads’!

Our USP

  • We are bringing together the brightest minds to form interdisciplinary #Think!Teams with a global outlook.
  • We are building up the finest pool of expertise with a clear focus on interaction, discourse, customer experience and sustainable conversations.
  • We are reinforcing the bedrock of any successful ‘digital’ transformation – proficient, dynamic and meaningful communication.

Benefits for our partners
We help our partners make new and market-relevant discoveries that inspire them and inject new energy into their development.

 

 

#ThinkPaper Conversation: Use print when you need something considered or need to promote trust and value!

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#Think!Paper, CEO Talk on Innovation, Digital Transformation, Multi-Channel Innovation, Print for the Digital Age, Valuable Advice
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ThinkPaper Fraser Church.001.jpeg

#Think!Paper Edition 3, Vol. 8

Interview by Andreas Weber, Head of Value

 

There are experiences that are unforgettable. Fraser Church lastingly impressed around 200 top experts who came to the 3rd DigitaldruckForum Congress in Gutenberg’s hometown Mainz, Germany, on November 11, 2004. He described as a profound marketing expert in the opening lecture “Creativity Creates Innovation” how to use print products individually, highly automated, targeted and highly effective. What he was talking about at that time is still valid today!“ — Benchmark!

 

What is the beauty of print in the digital age?

Fraser Church: The growth of the internet, digital and social media has changed our lives and how we act as people. Everyone expects instant access to information, and for many the technology has changed people’s behaviours as they want instant “likes” gratification. The speed at which information can be generated and delivered, means that some of the communication sent by both individuals and businesses is not always considered. It also generates content that is often ignored, or at best instantly deleted by the swipe of a finger or the click of a mouse. A phone’s secondary function is now a phone, with the usage enormously skewed towards messaging and listening/watching media.

For may they have lost the anticipation of receiving and opening a personal letter, or the more personal contact from a phone call, rather than an often-misunderstood electronic message.

Whilst many anticipated the demise of print, it is having a resurgence. Why? Well for starters, it is a tactile media that provides a sensory experience. The growth of eBooks has slowed, and by my reckoning based on watching others on my daily commute is declining as we see the resurgence of the printed book. Reading a physical book is a pleasurable experience, not only whilst commuting but also curled up on the sofa or in bed at bedtime. There is something good about folding over a page as you turn the bedside light off – the chapter for that day has finished.

Print also has longevity. Whether browsing for a fitted kitchen or catching up on the week with the Sunday papers, the medium is easily picked up, put down, revisited and shared. It is also a trusted medium – perhaps there is a belief that if someone has gone to the bother of printing something, then it must have been considered.

This is not print versus digital, but the right medium at the right time, with print definitely not dead in the digital age.

 

 

Everything in the mobile age is so fast. Why is the adoption of digital printing technology innovations so slow?

Fraser Church: In the lifespan of print, digital print is only in its infancy. It is only in recent years that we have seen the quality and speed of continuous inkjet be comparable to some of the more traditional off-set technologies.

Printing companies tend to be established businesses, with overheads, work-force and commitments to owners and shareholders. They have grown steadily with appropriate supporting infrastructures. They are not to be compared to digital start-ups who often are run out of serviced offices with minimal employees, and sometimes investment made on a speculative high risk/reward basis. Print Service Providers are real businesses with real people and established clients.

Investing in digital print technology therefore needs to be considered. The costs of investment are high (we are not talking about disposable desk-top printers), and any properly managed business would look for positive and sustainable ROI before making such investments. Therefore, until the commercials of speed, quality and cost stack-up, printers have rightly sometimes been shy of betting on the future. This is not about having the shiniest new toy, but all about providing a better product at a better cost for each customer.

With some of the recent advancements, I now believe the scales are increasingly tipping towards digital as it can deliver for not only shorter runs on specialist papers, but also long run across a wider range of stocks. Investing in this technology is now a much easier decision.

 

 

What are the key drivers for a powerful and successful print services business today and what will it be in the future?

Fraser Church: Understanding that print is not the only channel and that it can work well when working with other channels is vital. Each media has its own strength: Digital in instant news share, mobile for reminding, Apps for interactivity and print when you need something considered or need to promote trust and value.

Printers also need to understand data. Our industry is not now about producing multiple copies of the same item, but instead delivering unique, relevant experiences for every individual. With the advancement of technology, there is no reason that every catalogue a retailer sends out cannot be unique to the individual, with promoted items selected based on customer profile and shopping habits. But to do this print service providers need to understand how to work with their customers to use the data they hold to optimise the communication, with print often only being one part of an integrated communication plan.

It is also important to recognise that the modern marketer has been brought up in a digital world. Do not expect them to understand either print, or more importantly, what opportunities are possible with modern, dynamic and interactive digital print. People in our industry need to be evangelists.

Business who will succeeded are those that can take their customers on this journey and let them see the art of the possible. Print Service Providers, must now see themselves as Marketing Service Providers, often expanding their range of services to offer integrated campaigns. The future will be bright for those who do not just keep their heads down looking at ways to cut costs, but for those who recognise that we are in perhaps the most dynamic age of communication…and embrace it

 

 

DDF Congress Mainz 2004Fraser Church was already 15 years ago a great supporter and contributor sharing his vision and misson. See as well our “Update: DigitaldruckForum | Digital Printing Forum”

About

Fraser Church


Fraser Church is General Manager of CPX Group (www.cpx.group), a co-operative of eleven of the world’s largest and most innovative print and digital communication companies. He loves nothing better than evangelising about how print can deliver real value and return on investment for brands engaging with their customers.

Fraser is one of the founding members of the #Think!Paper initiave sharing his great insights and observations. 

 

 

ThinkPpaer-Key-Visual-Blog-Post.001

 

#Think!Paper — the key facts at a glance

What we do

We evaluate and profile print and its proponents as an effective driving force for transformation – across all industries!

Our mission

We show, first and foremost, that print is by no means driftwood in an ocean of transformation (with Titanic-style effects) but rather a solid anchor for the ‘tsunamis in our heads’!

Our USP

  • We are bringing together the brightest minds to form interdisciplinary #Think!Teams with a global outlook.
  • We are building up the finest pool of expertise with a clear focus on interaction, discourse, customer experience and sustainable conversations.
  • We are reinforcing the bedrock of any successful ‘digital’ transformation – proficient, dynamic and meaningful communication.

Benefits for our partners

We help our partners make new and market-relevant discoveries that inspire them and inject new energy into their development.

 

Mike Hilton Global News Review: Print goes digital. Great benefit by Heidelberg Assistant!

December 18, 2017
Digital Transformation, Multi-Channel Innovation, Trends @ Graphic Communications, Valuable Advice, Value Contributors, Value Innovation, ValueCheck, ValueDialog
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When iron stirs emotions: Koenig & Bauer commended for product campaign by Marketing Club Dresden/ Germany. Photo: kba.com

Graphic Repro On-line News to Friday 15 December 2017

Welcome to a roundup of 15 News items, plus Laurel Brunner’s Verdigris environmental Blog, which this week looks at Kodak, as it hopes to become the leading company for sustainability in the graphics industry.

As the year draws to a close the news has also slowed down, so I shall leave you to browse through this week’s headlines which contain an excellent selection of mixed news once again. Of particular note are the leaders on Tuesday with Baldwin Technology having now finalised the acquisition of QuadTech from QuadGraphics; and then on Thursday we have Leonhard Kurz, as it announces ground breaking test results from INGEDE confirming flawless deinkability for the recyclability of KURZ’ foil-decorated papers and boards. Then Sappi on Friday, as it announces plans to significantly increase the production of dissolving wood pulp at its Saiccor and Cloquet Mills in South Africa and North America by 2020.

Mike Hilton's Global News Review 08072016.001

World Premiere: Dr. Ulrich Hermann, Member of the Board and Chief Digital Officer at Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG, started at 12. December 2017 together with Tom Oelsner, SVP Sales Excellence, the go-to-market campaign for Heidelberg. Read our ValueCheck and ValueDialog report.

The tailender for this week goes to Koenig & Bauer (Monday) for the commendation it received for its current campaign ‘Built for Your Needs. The KBA B2 Presses’ product campaign, at an awards ceremony held at the Marketing Club in Dresden at the end of November.

If you are in the Southern Hemisphere and are due to close for the holidays during the coming week, do take care, stay safe and enjoy your time with your family and friends over the festive season and New Year. Please don’t drink and drive, or text and drive, or even use your cellphone when driving… we need you to stay alive. Have a wonderful Christmas and wish you a very Happy and Prosperous and Successful New Year 2018.

My best wishes and best regards

Mike Hilton

e-News comprises: Headline News – Online Feature Articles – the Verdigris initiative and our drupa Newsroom, all of which can be accessed from the Website Home Page and its Index. We also have News in Review, which provides an overview of the week’s news each weekend.

Headline News

Almost 30,000 news items have now gone online since we launched our Website in September 2001. News for the past 24 months can still be accessed via the Home Page and its continuation pages

Week beginning Mon 11 December – the published date appears in article footline

Monday
When iron stirs emotions at Koenig & Bauer
Koenig & Bauer commended for product campaign ‘Built for Your Needs. The KBA B2 Presses’ at event held in Dresden…

Sun Chemical price increase for Flexible Packaging
High raw materials costs the reason for the increase…

Flint announces price increase for Packaging Inks
Increased, incremental cost escalation forces Flint Group to raise the prices of its Packaging Inks products…

Tuesday
Baldwin Technology acquires QuadTech Inc.
Acquisition creates vision and inspection print technology powerhouse for the commercial, newspaper, labels, packaging, converting and publication gravure industries…

Mimaki to exhibit at PSI 2018 in January
Mimaki to bring a mini promotional product factory to PSI 2018 at Messe Düsseldorf 9 – 11 January…

Resource Digital’s Fujifilm Acuity investment pays off
High Wycombe-based wide-format printer impressed with upturn in productivity following Acuity Select HS installation…

Wednesday
Digital transformation of Heidelberg gathers pace

Heidelberg breaking new ground in customer support: Heidelberg Assistant goes into series production…

 

New reader survey suggests print investment opportunities

Vaughan Patterson, product marketing manager for commercial and industrial print at Ricoh SA reports on the recent Two Sides global survey which included South African respondents…

 

Screen Truepress Jet L350UV for Tenovis in Slovenia

Tenovis answers short-run demand and opens up new market opportunities with Screen Truepress Jet L350UV…

Thursday
Kurz cold foil passes deinking test with distinction
Ground breaking test results from INGEDE for the recyclability of foil-decorated paper confirm flawless deinkability…

Streamline Press Leicester chooses ‘Push to Stop’
Streamline seeks ‘world class’ status with Heidelberg investment in ‘Push to Stop’ Speedmaster XL 106-5+L…

Screen and Meccanotecnica to collaborate for books
Companies to collaborate for optimised book finishing using EQUIOS Book Solution with Universe Sewing from Meccanotecnica…

Friday   
Sappi to significantly increase DWP capacity by 2020
Sappi confirms expansion plans for dissolving wood pulp (DWP) capacity at its Saiccor and Cloquet Mills…

FINAT Technical Seminar March 2018, Barcelona
The New World of Labels: FINAT event tackles the technical challenges from 7 – 9 March 2018 in Barcelona…

The first Heidelberg Speedmaster CS 92 in France
Rollin Imprimeur greatly improves cost-efficiency and flexibility with France’s first Speedmaster CS 92…

The lead article from a week last Friday…

Sappi Fashion White grades launched for shopping bags
Unique brand communication with excellent colour reproduction on new grades for shopping bags of the future…

GraphicRepro.Net e-News  (ISSN 1814-2923) is sponsored and made possible by:

Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG  (Heidelberg), The world’s largest printing press manufacturer for the industry worldwide. Visit the Heidelberg Website for more information.

drupa 2020 (drupa), the international flagship fair of the printing and media industry. Visit the drupa 2020 Website.You can also visit blog.drupa.comfor the latest industry news and developments.

Online Feature articles 2017
Only 49 articles last year – but you will find another eleven Expert Articles and ten drupa ante portas Blogs from Andreas Weber in our drupa Newsroom. There were over 70 in 2015, and over 90 in 2013 and in 2014 which can still be accessed via the Index on the Home Page.

VaueDialogue 2017

Previous…      #InfluenceB2B Transformation for the Digital Age
#InfluenceB2B programme leads from innovation to transformation! By Andreas Weber, Head of Value…

Online Features Nov/Dec Chapter 08

Previous…      Comexi and QuadTech collaborate for flexible packaging
Both companies invest in research, innovation and training to better serve flexible packaging printing with closed-loop colour control…

Future solutions for the ‘growth market of packaging printing’
More than 300 customers from around the world attended the Packaging Day hosted by Heidelberg at its Wiesloch-Walldorf plant in November…

Sappi expands speciality and packaging paper capacity
Sappi to acquire the speciality paper business of Cham Paper Group Holding in Switzerland and Italy…

Verdigris – Environmental Initiative

Laurel Brunner’s weekly Verdigris Blogs 2017

Kodak & Corporate Responsibility
The weekly Verdigris blog by Laurel Brunner – Mon 11 Dec

Previous…      Sustainability Initiatives
The weekly Verdigris blog by Laurel Brunner – Mon 04 Dec

Drupa Newsroom

Our Drupa Newsroom with news from Messe Düsseldorf in 2017 and for Drupa 2016 can be found in the Index. It is divided into Chapters for your convenience…just scroll down to view each Chapter

News from Messe Düsseldorf 2017

Previous…     Intelligent Printing in Focus
All in Print China to be staged at the new International Expo Center in Shanghai from 24 to 28 October 2018…

The various Chapters in the drupa Newsroom are highlighted below. When you enter, just scroll down to see and access the complete collection::

drupa daily; drupa Exhibitors’ show + post-show News; drupa pre-show Exhibitor news; post-drupa from Messe Düsseldorf; drupa ante portas Blogs from Andreas Weber; drupa Expert Articles – and more

The Graphic Repro On-line is supported and sponsored by:
Drupa 2020,   Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG, and  Kemtek Imaging Systems

If you would like to send news for consideration for the Graphic Repro On-line Website (ISSN 1814-2915) or to submit comments, please e-mail Mike Hilton at: graphicrepro.za@gmail.com.

Our Website urls are:
http://www.graphicrepro.co.za
http://www.graphicrepro.net

GraphicRepro.Net e-News (ISSN 1814-2923)  provides weekly updates from the Graphic Repro On-line Website and is  compiled and published by Mike Hilton,graphicrepro.net, PO Box 10 Peterburgskoe Shosse 13/1, 196605 Pushkin 5, St. Petersburg, Russia.  e-mail graphicrepro.za@gmail.com

#Print — #Freitagsgedanken / #MyThoughtsfortheweekend

December 8, 2017
Digital Transformation, Posts in German Language, Valuable Advice, Value Innovation, Value Transformation
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By Andreas Weber, Internationale Senefelder-Stiftung ISS Advisory Board (inspired by the #Kolloquium)

What makes me excited about #Print? What is annoying?

+ Without the ‘old’ the present and the future would not be possible! The course for the information age was already set around 1800 (from print to chip / via Photolithography).

+ The unbroken fascination and the inexhaustible transformation potential.

+ The passion and creativity of those who understand how to create and thrive on print.

– The widespread failure to adequately depict and make public the print in public consciousness.

– The unimaginative and ignorant, blatant rigor of many manufacturers that supposedly offer innovation.

– A blatant lack of communication expertise that hinders thinking outside the box.

#ValueCheck: Bücher als Skulpturen — dazu der Schriftsteller Christoph Ransmayr: „Anselm Kiefer hat ein leidenschaftliches Verhältnis zu Büchern, besonders zur Literatur, und einige seiner beeindruckendsten Arbeiten etwa mit Ingeborg Bachmann oder Paul Celan verbunden. Seine bleierne Bibliothek schlägt wie nur wenige Werke der bildenden Kunst eine Brücke zu jenem Medium Buch, das uns auf fast magische Weise erlaubt, über Jahrhunderte oder Jahrtausende hinweg in einer Art Gespräch miteinander verbunden zu bleiben.“ #Transformation

#Freitagsgedanken: Was begeistert mich an #Print? Was macht verdrießlich?

+ Ohne das ‚Alte‘ wäre das Heutige und Künftige gar nicht möglich! Die Weichen fürs Informationszeitalter wurden bereits um 1800 gestellt (vom Druck zum Chip).

+ Die ungebrochene Faszination und v. a. das unerschöpfliche Transformationspotential.

+ Die Leidenschaft und Kreativität derer, die Print gedeihlich zu gestalten verstehen und dadurch begeistern können.

– Das breite Versagen, Print im öffentlichen Bewusstsein adäquat darzustellen und erfahrbar zu machen.

– Die Fantasielosigkeit und ignorante, blasierte Rigorosität vieler Hersteller, die angeblich Innovationen bieten.

– Ein eklatanter Mangel an Kommunikations-Fachwissen, der behindert, über den Tellerrand zu blicken.

#Transformation

Mike Hilton‘s Global Review: Print as catalyst for masscustomization in packaging

November 27, 2017
Basic Topics on Innovation, Digital Transformation, drupa 2016, Trends @ Graphic Communications, Valuable Advice, Value Contributors, Value Innovation, ValueCheck
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Heidelberg, MPS in Obersulm and the publisher of turi2 edition selected the most important media persons in Germany for a unique, masscustomized cover page for a printed magazine. In total a number of 1,241. All together delivered as “pixels” a complete portrait of each single candidate printed on Primefire106. — One of those media VIPs was Andreas Weber, Head of Value, Frankfurt am Main/Germany.

Graphic Repro On-line News to Friday 24 November 2017

Welcome to a roundup of just 16 articles at the end of a quiet week for news, which tapered out almost completely by Friday. You’ll also find Laurel Brunner’s Verdigris Blog discussing the increasingly difficult problems encountered in successful paper recycling, as inks and coatings continue to change quite rapidly in their formulations and content. Rather like chasing moving goal posts.

Key news this week includes a more than £2-million pound spend by Taylor Bloxham of Leicester, UK on a new highly-spec’d Rapida 106 from Koenig & Bauer on Tuesday; while on Wednesday Wrap Cube became the first UK company to use 3M’s 780mC Reflective Wrapping Film, supplied by Spandex (you must see the photographs to appreciate why this gets a mention); and on Thursday,

Heidelberg celebrated the world premiere of the Primefire 106 with packaging printers from all over Europe at MPS-WestRock in Obersulm near Heilbronn, Germany at the beginning of November; and Scodix announces the start of its commercial roll-out of the E106 Digital Enhancement Press at an Open House, from 4 – 6 December at Gundlach Packaging Group’s facility in Oerlinghausen, Germany.

See as well the real-time report by Andreas Weber: “Value Check: Very well done — World Premiere of Heidelberg Primefire106 at MPS Multi Packaging Solutions in Germany”

To end the week on a high note, we had just one article from InPrint on Friday announcing that last week’s show in Munich ended with positive results. The next InPrint will take place in Milan at the end of 2018, before returning to Munich at the end of 2019.

That’s it until next time. There’s more to explore if you check out the headlines carefully, including the British Book Design and Production Awards winners on Monday; and some sound advice from Charl Vogel at Ricoh South Africa on Tuesday.

My best regards

Mike Hilton

e-News comprises:  Headline News – Online Feature Articles – the Verdigris initiative and our drupa Newsroom, all of which can be accessed from the Website Home Page and its Index. We also have News in Review, which provides an overview of the week’s news each weekend.

Headline News
Almost 30,000 news items have now gone online since we launched our Website in September 2001. News for the past 24 months can still be accessed via the Home Page and its continuation pages

Week beginning Mon 20 November – the published date appears in article footline

Monday
British Book Design & Production Awards winners 2017
The BPIF announces the winners of the 2017 British Book Design and Production Awards, held on 16 November in central London…

UPM supporting learning with Save the Children
UPM supports schooling opportunities of young people at risk of social exclusion due to poverty…

Tonejet unveiled Cyclone at InPrint 2017 in Munich
Tonejet Cyclone unites patented technologies to eliminate long lead times and minimum print runs for cans…

Neschen expands portfolio with EcoLam 1650
The perfect introduction to high-end print finishing…

Tuesday
How some commercial printers get hamstrung over new kit
Some commercial printers who invest in new production equipment don’t necessarily get the returns they reasonably expect says Charl Vogel, head of Commercial and Industrial print at Ricoh SA…

At Ricoh’s ‘Art of the New’ event in Telford, UK today…
Latest version Ricoh ProcessDirector v3.6 introduces white paper manufacturing to streamline production…

Taylor Bloxham switches to Koenig and Bauer Rapida
Taylor Bloxham invests in new generation, high performance Rapida 106 from Koenig and Bauer, replacing two machines…

Harlow Printing invests in StitchLiner Mark III
South Shields operation future-proofs business with newest next-generation Horizon StitchLiner from IFS…

Wednesday
3M’s Reflective Wrapping Film now available in UK
Wrap Cube is first UK company to use 3M’s 780mC Reflective Wrapping Film, supplied by Spandex…

Label Academy publishes new industry textbooks
The Label Academy has extended its book series with the publication of two new reference books, ‘Shrink Sleeve Technology’ and ‘Label Markets and Applications’…

Acuity investment sparks year of growth for Art & Servei
Spanish packaging and POS printer looks back on a year of increased productivity and faster customer delivery times…

Storbildsbolaget adds EFI Vutek FabriVU 340
Swedish large-format specialist makes the switch to EFI Vutek FabriVU to meet growing soft signage print volumes…

Thursday
World premiere of Heidelberg Primefire 106 at MPS
Heidelberg celebrates the world premiere of the Primefire 106 with packaging printers from all over Europe at MPS-WestRock in Obersulm near Heilbronn, Germany at the beginning of November…

Scodix E106 press available from December 2017
Scodix starts commercial roll-out of its E106 Digital Enhancement Press at an Open House from 4 – 6 December at Gundlach Packaging Group’s facility in Oerlinghausen, Germany…

Sign & Digital UK to return to the NEC in 2018
Sign & Digital UK announces increase in exhibitor presence for the 2018event, from 24 – 26 April 2018…

Friday   
Third InPrint in Germany ended with positive results
InPrint is now firmly established as the premier exhibition for print applications in industrial production…

The lead article from a week last Friday…

Easymatrix 106 die-cutter #100 to ship in December
The Easymatrix 106 die-cutter allows value-added products to be brought in house at Salzland Druck in Staßfurt…

GraphicRepro.Net e-News  (ISSN 1814-2923) is sponsored and made possible by:

Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG  (Heidelberg), The world’s largest printing press manufacturer for the industry worldwide. Visit the Heidelberg Website for more information.

drupa 2020 (drupa), the international flagship fair of the printing and media industry. Visit the drupa 2020 Website. You can also visit blog.drupa.com for the latest industry news and developments.

Online Feature articles 2017
Only 49 articles last year – but you will find another eleven Expert Articles and ten drupa ante portas Blogs from Andreas Weber in our drupa Newsroom. There were over 70 in 2015, and over 90 in 2013 and in 2014 which can still be accessed via the Index on the Home Page.

ValueDialog 2017

Previous…      #InfluenceB2B Transformation for the Digital Age
#InfluenceB2B programme leads from innovation to transformation! By Andreas Weber, Head of Value…

Online Features Nov/Dec Chapter 08

Previous…      BPIF Printing Outlook for Q4 2017 available now
Pick-up in output and orders despite a fluctuating Q3 – cost pressures and uncertainty shakes confidence for Q4…

Verdigris – Environmental Initiative

Laurel Brunner’s weekly Verdigris Blogs 2017

Recycling Paper Getting Complicated
The weekly Verdigris blog by Laurel Brunner – Mon 20 Nov

Previous…      New Standard supporting the environmental impact of print
The weekly Verdigris blog by Laurel Brunner – Mon 13 Nov

Drupa Newsroom

Our Drupa Newsroom with news from Messe Düsseldorf in 2017 and for Drupa 2016 can be found in the Index. It is divided into Chapters for your convenience…just scroll down to view each Chapter

News from Messe Düsseldorf 2017

Previous…     Intelligent Printing in Focus
All in Print China to be staged at the new International Expo Center in Shanghai from 24 to 28 October 2018…

The various Chapters in the drupa Newsroom are highlighted below. When you enter, just scroll down to see and access the complete collection::

drupa daily; drupa Exhibitors’ show + post-show News; drupa pre-show Exhibitor news; post-drupa from Messe Düsseldorf; drupa ante portas Blogs from Andreas Weber; drupa Expert Articles – and more

The Graphic Repro On-line is supported and sponsored by:
Drupa 2020,   Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG, and  Kemtek Imaging Systems

If you would like to send news for consideration for the Graphic Repro On-line Website (ISSN 1814-2915) or to submit comments, please e-mail Mike Hilton at: graphicrepro.za@gmail.com.

Our Website urls are:

http://www.graphicrepro.co.za
http://www.graphicrepro.net

GraphicRepro.Net e-News (ISSN 1814-2923)  provides weekly updates from the Graphic Repro On-line Website and is  compiled and published by Mike Hilton,graphicrepro.net, PO Box 10 Peterburgskoe Shosse 13/1, 196605 Pushkin 5, St. Petersburg, Russia.  e-mail graphicrepro.za@gmail.com

Montagsgedanken: #Zeit

November 20, 2017
Digital Transformation, Valuable Advice, Value Transformation
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Wo nehme ich nur die #ZEIT her?

Gedanken von Andreas Weber, Head of Value, Gründer Das Kommunikationsparadies

Das Thema Zeit ist immer mit unserer eigenen Existenz verbunden.

Der allzu „Geschäftige“ wird verlieren, weil er sich als unsterblich empfindet. Ein schlimmer Irrtum.

Nur derjenige, der mit Muße und Umsicht agiert, ist Herr über sein Schicksal und agiert selbstbestimmt.

Muße findet, wer in Ruhe nachdenkt, kundig im Vergangenen ist und dadurch stressfrei seine Zukunft gestalten kann.

ValueCheck: Very well done — World Premiere of Heidelberg Primefire106 at MPS Multi Packaging Solutions in Germany

November 10, 2017
Digital Transformation, Trend Analysis (in brief), Trends @ Graphic Communications, Valuable Advice, Value Innovation, Value Transformation
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By Andreas Weber, Head of Value

You should keep the date 8 November 2017 in mind. Experts from around the globe joined the #Heideldruck #PackagingDays to get deep insights on how the packaging business makes progress to get transformed by innovation bizz concepts and digital print technologies. It’s all about the paradigmeshift from #massmarketing to masscustomization.

My take: It’s not a speculation anymore. It’s meanwhile a solide fact that modern print technologies like Heidelberg presented it take the lead to guide us in a sustainable way on the digital transformation journey. Driven by competency, creativity, relatedness and ‚German Mut’ we have new a solide basis to re-invent what we do. It’s amazing that such huge and fast growing markets like Label & Packaging were able to adopt print innovations in their sophisticated industrial environment on such a high level.

To make a long story short, I will share my real-time report via Twitter, a rich collection of quotes, comments, photos and video interviews produced in an authentic and unplugged manner during the event. It should give you the feeling like to have joined us in Wiesloch at the Heidelberg Print Media Center and at the MPS factory in Obersulm, Germany.

 

Note: For any reason there is probably a technical problem caused by WordPress. Some of the video thumbnails are shown upside down. But the videos should work properly if you click on it.

Prelude

A real world premiere commented by Andreas Weber.

Heidelberg CEO Rainer Hundsdörfer made clear that his company is the market leader in providing packaging print production solutions on a high-class quality & productivity level.

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In medias res

Steffen Schnizer, GM Sales at Multi Packaging Solutions MPS, Obersum/Germany, highlighted the excellent partnership with Heidelberg to make Primefire106 perfectly fitting to the needs of MPS customers demand.

Steffen Schnizel gave a special interview in German language as well. His key point: Packaging printing creates the highest demand regarding quality, color, productivity, reliability. At least Heidelberg could fulfill that now in the field of digital printing as well as in offset printing.

Heidelberg’s SVP Global Head of Digital Print Business Montserrat Peidro explains the relevance of digital print innovations for the market. Masscustomization is already the main topic to cover an increasing demand by brand owners! — (English version first, German version second).

 

NOTE: See as well the ValueDialog with Montserrat Peidro I published earlier this year. It‘s about the specific benefits of Primefire106 and the advantage of industrial digital printing.

 

Focus on technology

Heidelberg’s Board member Stephan Plenz shared great insights to identify the right technological needs and solutions. The secret: It’s not enough to have the right digital print engine … The Heart or better: the brain is Prinect — Heidelberg’s digital frontend system architecture which’s able to manage all kind of digital printing machines plus offset printing machines in once.

 

 

At a glance via Value@Twitter Moments

 

 

Read and share our ValueStorify as well to get access to all relevant Tweets

 

Bildschirmfoto 2017-11-13 um 09.44.45

 

 

 

 

Case study: #xug17orlando became a BLOCKBUSTER on Social Media

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CEO Talk on Innovation, Digital Transformation, Multi-Channel Innovation, Valuable Advice, Value Transformation
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Mark Schaefer (left) and Andreas Weber at #xug17orlando. Photo: Jeroen van Druenen, Amsterdam, NL.

 

By Andreas Weber, Head of Value

 

Amazing success: #xug17orlando wasn‘t just a best-in-class conference on #multichannel #print #transformation. — Via #InfluenceB2B it became a BLOCKBUSTER attracting experts around the globe. — Read as well the summary of all relevant content topics via my Storify multimedia report: ValueCheck at #xug17orlando — Be. More. Human. All you can learn regarding #Transformation #Print #Multichannel #Masscustomization

So far (10/29 to 11/04) we got for a very special topic like ’multichannel‘ a giant reach on Twitter of more than 1.2 Million and on LinkedIn of more than 110k via my own accounts. And even after the conference ended there is still interaction. Seems that my #influenceB2B Programme works properly! It includes a smart mix of real-time messaging and storytelling including a bunch of live videos, photos, comments, re-tweets a.s.o.. Very special: round about a number of 20 ’silly talks‘ — unplugged live video interviews with attendees, speakers, sponsors and organizers. (Special thanks to Christian Kopocz for doing the perfect camera work). All of them were shown on screen directly to the audience during the sessions, a part was shared via Social Media and Vimeo. So it’s not by chance to got those great stats and amazing feedback.

Can‘t wait to see the stats by others who contributed as well like XUG – The XMPie Users Group Inc., XMPie, Christian Kopocz, Jeroen van Druenen and others. Additional effects were created by Mark Schaefer and Mandy Edwards as leading Social Minds giving presentations and sharing our Tweets.

 

Christian Kopocz reported in the meantime interesting figures covering the total reach by Real Time Tracker checking the hashtag #xug17orlando as well. I made it already part of my chart. 

 

#InfluenceB2B success factors at #xug17orlando

  • At least it was all about having a great and seamless conversation driven by competency, trust and for sure a lot of fun!
  • No briefings and storyboards were needed. All activities happened spontaneously.
  • Almost all conference attendees got involved and became part of the game (so not only as usual the hosts, sponsors and speakers).
  • The intense Social Media work helped to get straight to the point and to showcase in real-time what happened and what was really relevant to the audience.
  • Even the main Round-table was on-the-fly re-organized to adopt the #InfuenceB2B Programme rules. Any single participant got the chance to share the individual expertise and opinions to answer the key question: How to make money with XMPie? The result was a rich collection of Hashtags representing a short&sweet practical guide.

 

Some comments of attendees and supporters

Brian Euclide, President TEC Mailing Solutions LLC, Madison, Wisconsin

— NOT OFTEN — do I leave a conference or a user group meeting with a positive attitude or an optimistic outlook. However, recently I attended the #XMPie User group meeting #XUG17Orlando for the first time and I feel personally compelled to highlight not only this group but the people in attendance. From the very first minutes upon arrival until the last minute at the bar before an early morning flight… I had the opportunity to engage with people like Andreas Weber Helene Blanchette Lori Wisz and of course Inbar Keren Yudasin. I have never left a conference wanting to stay another day! I left so inspired and yearning to go back. Thank you to Jeroen van Druenen & Christian Kopocz for having the #CloudMailingGuys! #Xerox #TECMailing

Mark W. Schaefer, Keynote Speaker, Executive Director Schaefer Marketing Solutions

Agree! This was a first-class event. Very impressive group of attendees. I really enjoyed meeting everyone and hope you’ll have me back some day soon!

Inbar Keren Yudasin, Production Systems Analyst at Fuji Xerox Australia, Sydney

I really liked your Live Videos [my Silly Talks] done in a charming and unplugged mode. It‘s so authentic. And quite important for a better understanding how to benefit from other expert minds to gain a better knowledge

 

Sample for a ’Silly Talk’-live video by Andreas Weber with one of the sponsors, PunchOut2Go. They liked it that much that they published it immedately on their own Twitter account. — Plus the charming talk with lovely guests from France! And the most interesting conversation with Adobe. TX to Mike Zahorik!

 

 

 

 

 

Contact

Andreas Weber could be reached at anytime via LinkedIn!

About

Andreas Weber is an international very well reputated analyst and as well an educator, speaker, influencer and transformer. Since more than 25 years he deals with all major technology inventors like Apple, Adobe, Canon, Google, HP, Konica Minolta, Ricoh, Xerox and many others. He is also in touch with many start-ups and innovative graphic communication service providers around the globe.

Since the very beginning he is a digital communication savvy and online community organizer.

His business activities are dedicated to the ‘Transformation for the Digital Age’ via presentations, management briefings, coachings, workshops, analysis&reports, strategic advice.

 

 

 

 

 

 

ValueDialog: Wie meistert Canon Europe die Transformation fürs Digitalzeitalter?

September 23, 2017
Digital Transformation, Multi-Channel Innovation, Posts in German Language, Trends @ Graphic Communications, Valuable Advice, Value Innovation
1 Comment

Von Andreas Weber, Head of Value

Canon Europa hat zu einer neuen Organisationsstruktur gefunden, die bestmögliche Kunden- und Marktorientierung ermöglichen soll. Interessenten und Kunden haben es nunmehr mit einem zentralen Ansprechpartner zu tun, der seinerseits die Koordination mit unterschiedlichen Canon-Experten steuert. Das Customer Experience Center von Canon in Poing bei München repräsentiert als echter Hotspot eine Erster-Klasse-Anlaufstelle für Print-Innovationen. — Am 20. September 2017 wurde zu den Production Printing Days 2017 nach Poing eingeladen. Das dargebotene komplette Leistungsspektrum an Hard- und Software trumpfte mit einer Vielzahl an Anwendungslösungen auf, die von Expertenteams erläutert wurden, damit die Besucher sich durch den wahren Dschungel an Neuheiten durchfinden konnten. Ein guter Zeitpunkt für einen ValueDialog, der Canons „Transformation Journey“ verdeutlichen soll. Mark Lawn, Canon Europe, Director of Graphic & Communications Group, stand Rede und Antwort.

Warum unterscheidet Canon zwischen ‚Commercial Printing‘ und ‚Graphic & Communications‘?

Mark Lawn: Diese Differenzierung bezeichnet unseren Weg, eine Art Profil unseres Auditoriums in einem dynamischen Umfeld zu finden. Viele neue Applikationen finden nicht mehr nur in klassischen Marktsegmenten statt. Nehmen Sie als Beispiel eine Firma wie Amazon, die nicht mehr nur mit Büchern handelt, sondern diese auch selbst druckt und damit zum ‚Graphic Communications Provider‘ geworden ist. Hier müssen wir als Technologie- und Lösungs-Lieferant anders agieren können.

Das heißt, Canon stellt sich darauf ein, mit unterschiedlichen Firmentypen zu tun zu haben, die einerseits eine Geschichte in der Herstellung von Drucksachen haben und im Digitaldruck weiterkommen wollen sowie andererseits Quer- oder Neueinsteiger, die mit Hilfe von Print-Innovationen neue Geschäftsmöglichkeiten erschließen?



Inspirierend: Canon zeigte anhand einer eigens kreierten, fiktiven Marke auf, wie per Omnichannel Markenkommunikation funktioniert. Fotos: Canon Europe (oben), Andreas Weber


Mark Lawn: Ganz genau. Es gibt ausserhalb der klassischen Druckbranche, die sich auf industrielle Fertigung von Drucksachen fokussiert, eine Vielzahl dynamischer Anbieter, die ein breites, crossmediales Lösungsangebot entwickeln für eine Vielzahl an Kunden. Unsere Organisationsstruktur muss sicherstellen, hier jeweils einen zentralen Ansprechpartner zu bieten, der Wissen und Ressourcen bündelt, um individuelle Anforderungen präzise zu erfüllen. Im Bereich Graphic & Communications ist es entscheidend, sich in der Wertschöpfungskette nach vorne bewegen zu können, um zu einem möglichst frühen Zeitpunkt Einfluss auf Kommunikationsprojekte nehmen zu können und Print ins Spiel zu bringen. Also nicht nur mit denjenigen zu agieren, die Druckaufträge vergeben. Hier können gerade kleinere Dienstleister ihre hohe Flexibilität unter Beweis stellen. Das wollen wir aktiv unterstützen.

Dynamik bedeutet Veränderung. Womit müssen wir mittelfristig rechnen? Die drupa 2020 steht schon fast vor der Tür…

Mark Lawn: Pragmatisch gesehen, stellt sich die Frage: Womit beschäftigen wir uns heute? Aus meiner Sicht mit der Darstellung des Möglichen mit Hilfe von Print-Innovationen; es muss die Kluft geschlossen werden zwischen dem Stand der Technik und den Anforderung der Marken/Werbungtreibenden mit ihrer ‚digitalen’ Ausrichtung im Marketing. Hier wissen die wenigsten um den Nutzen von Print in einer vernetzten Welt. Die Print-Branche insgesamt muss sich in der Verantwortung sehen, das rasch zu ändern — vor allem auch mit Hilfe von Experten wie Ihnen als Influencer, im Social Media wie auch in Vorträgen.

Auf die Zukunft projiziert, heisst das, es findet ein Wandel statt vom Print Service Provider hin zum Business Solution Provider? Mit dem Focus auf ein neues ‚Ecosystem‘?

Mark Lawn: Da stimme ich voll zu. Das wird zwingend notwendig sein. Dazu müssen wir aber unser Silo-Denken in der Print-Branche aufgeben. Momentan ignorieren wir noch zu oft den Wandel, den ein Nachfrage-getriebenes Supply-Chain-Management provoziert. Neue Marktpotentiale werden so gut wie gar nicht zur Kenntnis genommen. Und: Wir erreichen mit unseren Botschaften noch nicht das richtige Publikum, um durch passende, neue Leistungsversprechen die tatsächlichen Innovations-Möglichkeiten, die sich mit Print, wie wir bei Canon es verstehen, überzeugend darzulegen. Denn nur so können neue Ideen durch konkrete Anwendungen in wertschöpfende Maßnahmen verwandelt werden. Die Branche muss sich zum ‚Problemlöser‘ transformieren, um jede Art von neuer Herausforderung nachhaltig mit zielführende Lösungen zu bedienen.

Vielen Dank für das Gespräch.


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Mark Lawn beim Pressebriefing in Poing. Video: Andreas Weber




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