The trainees of the "Würzburger Medienakademie" (WÜma) from the Vogel Communications Group and the trainees of Vogel Druck und Medienservice GmbH produced the city magazine "Der Würzburger" as a magazine, website and via social media on their own initiative for the 33rd time in a row this year. The "Würzburger" team donated the entire advertising revenue from the 2018 issue to six organizations in the Würzburg area on 23 July in the city library. The Würzburger team presented the cheques in the presence of the new Head of Cultural Affairs Achim Könneke, who greeted the guests on behalf of the public library, and Mayor Dr. Adolf Bauer. The record proceeds of 25,000 euros were divided between the following projects:
- 6,000 euros to "Menschenskinder e.V."
- 6,000 euros to the "Elterninitiative leukämie- und tumorkranker Kinder e.V." (Parents' Initiative for Children with Leukemia and Tumors)
- 4,500 euros to the "integrAIDE" initiative
- 3,500 euros to the Würzburg City Library for equipping a "makerspace"
- 3,000 euros to the "Umsonst & Draussen e.V." association
- 2,000 euros to "angestöpselt e.V."
In the presence of representatives of the six donation recipients, the trainees handed over the six cheques and briefly presented the sponsored projects at a public press conference on Monday afternoon, July 23, 2018, at the Würzburg City Library. In total, the trainee magazine has now been able to distribute around 310,000 euros to over 60 projects in the region since it was founded.
"Our trainees experience real entrepreneurial responsibility in this project," explained Günter Schürger, Managing Director of Vogel Communications Group, at the donation handover: "On the one hand, the trainees themselves are responsible for the success of their magazine in every respect and have to be committed doers. On the other hand, they have the opportunity to take on social responsibility by choosing which charitable organizations they want to support. The 'Der Würzburger 2018' project is a great advertisement for our company and was once again a complete success. We are very proud of our trainees and the record proceeds they raised this year."
"Over 300,000 euros in 33 years with a trainee project! I'm delighted, both with the Würzburger magazine and with the amount donated. This is a great campaign! On behalf of the city library, I would like to express my sincere thanks for this year's support for the new makerspace, which is something really sustainable!" says Achim Könneke, Head of Cultural Affairs at the City of Würzburg.
The "Der Würzburger" project is not only a benefit for the trainees themselves, who can gain authentic experience in the areas of editing, advertising sales and layout. The project also allows them to achieve added social value and do something good. This combination of learning and helping has become a living tradition since the first issue 33 years ago.
"Vogel has always been at the forefront when it comes to communication. And the excellent trainees contribute to this good reputation!" emphasized Mayor Dr. Adolf Bauer: "But our public library is also extraordinarily successful. We in Würzburg are proud of this. I would like to expressly thank the Vogel trainees on behalf of the city: you are a role model!"
It is remarkable that the city magazine has grown in popularity over the years despite changing editors every year. In 2017, the Würzburg team had an information stand at the Umsonst & Draußen festival for the first time and continued this cooperation in 2018.
Caption: All the sponsored projects came to collect their check. The record proceeds of 25,000 euros were divided between six projects.
Photo credits: J. Untch/Vogel Communications Group
Definition of makerspace: "Open, low-threshold creative spaces for young and old - are now part of what public libraries offer. Here, everyone has free access to equipment, tools and software, can try everything out, do their own thing or exchange ideas with others. I am delighted that we are able to set up our new makerspace thanks to this generous donation and can now offer it to the people of Würzburg," explained Anja Flicker, Director of the public library, before the cheque was handed over.
Würzburger Medienakademie GmbH (WÜma ) is the joint service company for training and further education of the three media companies Krick Unternehmensfamilie, Mediengruppe Main-Post and Vogel Communications Group. WÜma organizes all training and further education activities of the three companies. An extensive trainee program, training in eleven professions in the media industry and two dual study courses ensure that there is a demand for young talent, specialists and managers. Vogel Communications Group is one of the leading service providers for B2B communication in the German-speaking world. With four agencies at its Berlin location, the Group offers comprehensive communications expertise. The publishing divisions manage 100+ trade journals, 100+ web portals, 100+ business events as well as numerous mobile offerings and international activities. The headquarters are in Würzburg. The print and digital media serve 14 sectors in the business fields of industry, automotive, information technology, law/economics/taxes and B2B communication. The Group's offerings range from trade fair services, corporate publishing, social media services, PR, networks and communities to chat bots and an in-house congress center.
