Neutral is a communications, identity and thought leadership agency servicing brands, companies, institutions and cities. We have been a partner of strategic and creative transformation in economy, culture and retail since 2001. We're committed to supporting you in raising your stature and becoming more meaningful, visible and influential.

We are a pioneer in leveraging architecture, art, design and science to make your mission more engaging.

Neutral Zurich AG
yes@neutral.plus
Wasserwerkstrasse 129
8037 Zürich Switzerland

Neutral is a communications, identity and thought leadership agency servicing brands, companies, institutions and cities. We have been a partner of strategic and creative transformation in economy, culture and retail since 2001. We're committed to supporting you in raising your stature and becoming more meaningful, visible and influential.

We are a pioneer in leveraging architecture, art, design and science to make your mission more engaging.

Neutral Zurich AG
yes@neutral.plus
Wasserwerkstrasse 129
8037 Zürich Switzerland
Art Basel Strategies to involve brands and create new
Art Basel
  • Strategy
  • Activation
2001 – 2020

The most important annual gatherings of the global art world.

Art Basel works with Neutral on strategic projects and on the acquisitionsand activationsof new partners for its fairs in Basel, Miami Beach and Hong Kong.

Bally Reinvention of the brand – capsule collections and a proper press
00:00
00:00
00:00
Bally
  • Campaign
  • Activation
Philippe Decrauzat, Olaf Breuning
2010 – 2011

Repositioning Bally for fashion lovers with new capsule collections.

Bally requested Neutral to inspire a new generation of fashion lovers to indulge in Bally. Neutral conceived BallyLove, a series of capsule collections designed by artists in collaboration with the Bally design team. A partnership with Art Basel in Basel and Art Basel in Miami Beach was a natural synergy due to the shared Swiss heritage.

Philippe Decrauzat was the first artist to work on BallyLove products. Neutral produced showcases in Basel and Miami, a film and a pop-up store in Miami’s Design District. With BallyLove #2 Neutral continued the Swiss maison’s journey into the realm of contemporary art. Olaf Breuning designed a standout capsule collection. Neutral created showrooms for Art Basel in both Basel and Miami Beach, ads, a brochure, window displays and a social media campaign.

BFRND The Age of
BFRND
  • Communications
2020

Building awareness for the musical talent behind one of today's most influential fashion brands of the world.

BFRND is the composer behind all Balenciaga shows since their Fall 2017 show where he debuted his career in the fashion world. Every season is a major milestone for the 28 years old composer. From orchestral ensembles to thumping industrial scores passing by tribal techno and 160 beats per minute hardcore, he translates Demna Gvasalia’s vision into sound.
Neutral accompanies BFRND's carreer, increasing awareness in international mass and niche media.

Boffi Iconic Italian design is nothing without food and
Boffi
  • Strategy
  • Activation
  • Communications
2017 – 2020

The story of Italian design which is also the history of the Boffi family.

Boffi enlisted Neutral with the opening of its new Boffi Showroom in Zurich. To help connect with a new generation of design lovers and convert them into faithful customers, Neutral developed a series of activations such as the Lunch Talk Series and Art kisses Design

14.2.2019
Z-Magazin
In den letzten 85 Jahren ist aus dem kleinen Familienbetrieb von Piero Boffi ein Produzent hochwertiger Küchen und Badezimmer mit Flagship-Stores auf der ganzen Welt entstanden.
17.6.2018
Novembre Magazine
One day at Boffis: Life is short, design should be faultless
13.1.2019
Wohnrevue
20.11.2018
NZZ Resistance
Bottega Veneta The Importance of Wearing
Bottega Veneta
  • Activation
  • Communications
  • Copywriting
  • Curation
Rosemarie Trockel
2020

Intimate projects for the fashion world's latest darling.

For Salon 01, the presentation of their SS21 womenswear collection, Bottega Veneta commissioned Neutral to realise a book project which documents the process from the creative idea to the final product.

Overseeing the project, Neutral supported Rosemarie Trockel in creating the body of work; coordinated, conducted and edited all interviews for the book and placed the project with the international art press. In addition, Neutral coordinated the campaign shooting of Trockel for the official summer campaign with Tyrone Lebon.

Bottega Veneta Weak in the presence of
Bottega Veneta
  • Curation
  • Event
2021

In June 2021, Neutral curated a 1-day pop-up show at Kunsthalle Zurich for Bottega Veneta with the iconic Walter Pfeiffer. Originally a coffee table book, ‘weak in the presence of beauty’ is a photographic series by the Swiss artist, intersected by a small number of drawings. Pfeiffer’s work in the book and the exhibition captured the constants throughout Daniel Lee’s menswear collections at Bottega Veneta and was accompanied by a public viewing and a lavish event for invited guests.

Cartier Not to be overlooked by the 20 to 35 year
Cartier
  • Campaign
Asympotote, Liam Gillick, Sarah Morris, Erwan and Rouan Bourroulec, David Shrigley, Richard Philipps, Gabriel Orozco, Shigeru Ban, Torbjørn Rødland
2002

The red Cartier box, the écrin, is one of the signifiers of the French maison.

Neutral created a campaign evolving around the écrin with the goal to attract new fan groups and future customers. Together with 9 protagonists from different creative fields new work was created based on the red icon. . Collaboration with Nicolas Trembley.

12.1.2002
Vogue Paris
18.1.2002
Self Service Magazine
Chloé The beautiful is always
Chloé
  • Activation
Cao Fei, Jenny Saville, Karen Kilimnik
2013

Brand campaign that is testament to Chloé’s support of innovative female talent.

Chloé enlisted Neutral to make their partnership with fundraiser and art edition commissioner House of Voltaire come to live. Neutral developed the brand platform “The beautiful is always strange” and created bespoke editions together with artists Cao Fei, Jenny Saville and Karen Kilimnik. Net-a-Porter.com joined as the exclusive online stockist for Chloé’ limited edition pieces, which were also available in-store at House of Voltaire.

Images: Courtesy of Chloé

The Circle at Zurich Airport Programming the future of
The Circle at Zurich Airport
  • Strategy
  • Corporate Identity
  • Programming
2014 – 2019

Creating synergies and excitement for Zurich’s new destination.

The Circle is the new destination at Zurich Airport. With 180,000 m² of floorspace conceived by architect Riken Yamamoto, this center will enhance Zurich’s attractiveness well into the future (opening 2020).

The destination offers an innovative mix of usage including art, retail, culture, health, restaurants and education facilities. Neutral started by creating a Manifesto, that defines the specific vibe of the Circle: its «Circleness». Building on this we developed new retail concepts and recruited brands and institutions for partnerships with The Circle.

Credit Suisse Art & Entrepreneurship – engaging HNWI’s on 3
Credit Suisse
  • Activation
2009

Reaching out to a new generation of art lovers.

Task: creation of a relationship platform for private clients in new markets. Neutral answers with «Art and Entrepreneurship».

Under this title, which was also the motto of the initiative, 30 emerging artists were selected and asked to make an art work on entrepreneurial values. The exhibition travelled through seven countries and 3 continents and ended with an auction by Simon de Pury. The crates of the artworks were also the exhibition architecture.

Design Miami/ Basel Building
Design Miami/ Basel
  • Communications
  • Community Management
2021
2022

Rooted in the past, ready for the future

Neutral supports Design Miami/ Basel in their endeavour to be tightly linked to the flourishing Swiss design and architecture scene. Curating and welcoming a bespoke guest list of the best contemporary architects and upcoming designers, Neutral continues to connect Design Miami with key players and fans of the show during its peak moment in June and in the run up to the fair.

E.A.T. Engadin Art Talks Connecting disruptive minds with worldwide media and
E.A.T. Engadin Art Talks
  • Strategy
  • Communications
2016 – 2020

Building brand awareness for the distinctive art talk format taking place yearly in the Swiss mountains.

E.A.T. / Engadin Art Talks takes place in Zuoz in the Upper Engadin every year at the end of January with a new distinct topic. Neutral has been instrumental in heightening the awareness of the format on a global level.

EPFL ArtLab Curating and showcasing the absolute now in science, technology and
EPFL ArtLab
  • Strategy
  • Corporate Identity
  • Communications
  • Pitch
Design: Data-Orbit
2020

Become who you are.

Neutral was asked to participate in a national pitch to sharpen EPFL ArtLab's profile for internals, externals, and professionals. The goal was to dissolve from the current brand identity of the EPFL, take a leading position and be the most unique platform for promoting major research and innovation.

Neutral created KENGOS, a 360 degree campaign to rebrand and reposition ArtLab's brand strategy, corporate identity/design, and its implementation in all communication media.

Eva Presenhuber Gallery Rondinone rocks – we spread
Eva Presenhuber Gallery
  • Strategy
  • Communications
Ugo Rondinone, Roe Etheridge
2013

Ugo Rondinone’s epochal sculptures at Rockefeller Center.

Neutral was tasked with orchestrating the media placement of Ugo Rondinone’s 5 to 6-meter-tall, human-shaped stone figures. The temporary installation transformed Rockefeller Center, inhabiting the plaza between 49th and 50th Streets as if transported from another time. The work titled Human Nature was free to the public. Neutral commissioned artist Roe Etheridge with a series of portraits of the artists which additionally pushed communication.

29.4.2013
Art – Das Kunstmagazin
Wir werden Zeuge einer neuen Ära
27.4.2013
Tages Anzeiger
Steinzeit in der Gegenwart
19.5.2013
The Art Newspaper
Rondinone: getting stoned at Rockefeller Plaza
2.5.2013
The New Yorker
The incongruous and the whimsical
5.5.2013
The New York Times
The Real Rock of Ages
23.4.2013
Vogue
May’s Muse-See in New York City
Gottlieb Duttweiler Institute Retail summit 2019 – content and
Gottlieb Duttweiler Institute
  • Strategy
  • Activation
Marcia Kilmore, Giacomo Ardesio, Johanna Jaskowska, Prof. Anjan Chatterjee, Hans Ulrich Obrist, Demna Gvasalia
2019

Creating talk formats in the realm of retail, beauty and fashion.

The Gottlieb Duttweiler Institute (GDI) is a Swiss independent think tank in consumption, economics and society. GDI assigned Neutral with the conception of a conference on Wellbeing and Beauty Retail. We created Eternity Now and invited speakers such as Marcia Kilmore (Beauty Pie), Giacomo Ardesio (OMA), Johanna Jaskowska (Digital Native), and Prof. Anjan Chatterjee (author of The Aesthetic Brain).

For GDI’s 69thInternational Retail Summit we invited Hans Ulrich Obrist, Artistic Director of the Serpentine Galleries and Demna Gvasalia, Creative Director of Balenciaga for a conversation about what’s happening now in branding, retail, and fashion.

Hornbach Art for everbody – build your own Ai
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00:00
Hornbach
  • Campaign
  • Activation
  • Communications
Ai Weiwei Studio, Heimat Berlin
2020

«It’s one of those campaigns that will set standards in German advertising.»
Horizont

HORNBACH is Europe’s fifth largest DIY and garden store. Since 2010, the bricks-and-mortar business has been completed by the online shop. HORNBACH has positioned itself as expert partner for challenging DIY projects by its clients.

Neutral approached HORNBACH with the idea to reach out to new audiences with an extraordinary project: A work of art by a globally influential artist that anyone can build themselves with material bought at the DIY store. Artist Ai Weiwei immediately loved the idea of public art and in an intense process involving 5 prototypes created a proposal for HORNBACH. Safety Jackets Zipped the Other Way was the chosen option. It has museum format. A manual demonstrates how it is built. The result is an original Ai Weiwei.

In a collaborative effort HORNBACH’s agency Heimat Berlin and Neutral Zürich are responsible for implementation and communication of this project. European press launch 11th February, Studio Ai Weiwei Berlin. Campaign: Documentary, TVC, billboards, social media.

Istituto Svizzero Minds, Muses and Social
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00:00
Istituto Svizzero
  • Campaign
  • Activation
2020

Supporting and promoting Swiss art and research.

Istituto Svizzero has contributed to extending Switzerland’s cultural and academic influence outside its borders and above all in Italy since 1947. The institute assigned Neutral to enhance its Social Media presence to promote its program to the public. We created STACCATO - 10 Second Answers, a Social Media campaign, asking inspiring personalities questions which they have to answer in only a few seconds. The project takes place on the institute’s Instagram account and features Valerio Olgiati, Sarah Kenderdine, Manon Wertenbroek and many more.

Jelmoli Consume. Consciously and with
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Jelmoli
  • Campaign
  • Creation
  • Activation
Data-Orbit
Serafin Gerber
2022

Jelmoli's fall campaign 2022 in collaboration with Neutral

The department store of today must be holistic: a marketplace and playground of feelings, things, ideas and personalities.

Neutral based Jelmoli's autumn campaign on a 12-point manifesto which provides a tongue-in-cheek guide to consumption 2.0. The manifesto depicts the core values of the department store, its view on consumption and the conscious use of consumption. It will accompany Jelmoli over the coming seasons and will be continuously updated with content, offers, collaborations and voices.

Julius Baer Megatrends and
Julius Baer
  • Strategy
  • Conception
  • Activation
  • PR
2022
2023

New initiative centred on megatrends commissions new media artist Refik Anadol to create a global multi chapter activation

Placing its focus on megatrends which affect society at large, Neutral designed an initiative for Julius Baer to support the collaboration with forward-thinking artists and institutions committed to new forms of cultural production and in the vanguard of scientific research and technological developments. Partner Michelle Nicol joins the initiative's curatorial board, together with Hans Ulrich Obrist and members of the private bank.

La Prairie Hightech skincare in self similar spheres in Basel, Hong Kong, Miami,
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00:00
00:00
00:00
La Prairie
  • Activation
Julian Charrière, Manon Wertenbroek, Niki Charitable Art Foundation, Mario Botta, Namsa Leuba, Daniela Droz, Senta Simond
2017 – 2020

Creating storytelling and experience through cultural collaborations.

Establishing Swiss luxury skincare brand La Prairie as an audacious collaborator in the art world by activating their partnership with institutions such as Art Basel in Basel, Miami Beach and Hong Kong and Westbund Shanghai. Neutral curated La Prairie storytelling by initiating artistic collaborations and managing the relationships between the worlds of beauty and art.

Lugano Identity + strategy – everything but the
Lugano
  • Strategy
  • Corporate Identity
2019

Defining the essence of Lugano’s brand personality.

Redefining Lugano’s brand personality towards a positioning which makes the Luganesi proud and foreigners excited about a city which uniquely merges beautiful nature, culture and Artificial Intelligence.

Luxury Venture Group Moderating the first Luxury Innovation
Luxury Venture Group
  • Activation
2020

Accelerate the future.

Luxury Venture Group is a Swiss-based accelerator and venture capital ecosystem to scout, select, accelerate and invest in the startups from luxury and related industries.

For the first Luxury Innovation Award in 2020, we set the tone of the evening by moderating the event and welcoming guests such as Jean-Claude Biver, Michael Glinski (CEO, Porsche Schweiz AG), Alexis Georgacopoulos (Director, ECAL), Barbara Coignet (Founder and CEO, 1.618 Sustainable Luxury) and many more.




MASI Lugano Strong voice for Ticinos art
MASI Lugano
  • Strategy
  • Communications
  • Social Media
2018 – 2021

Driving awareness for the most important museum of southern Switzerland.

Spreading MASI’s respected art program through Swiss and international media and creating a new fan base. Connecting the museum with potential partners. A freshly updated Social Media strategy shines to attract new visitors.

30.10.2019
Monopol
Julian Charrière in Lugano. Zwischen Schönheit und Katastrophe
1.11.2019
NZZ, Magazin
Öko-Glamour im Tessin
14.10.2019
Das Magazin
Was macht der da? Und warum tun wir nichts?
19.6.2019
Tagesanzeiger
Tobia Bezzola, Direktor des Museo d’Arte della Svizzera Italiana, über die neue Kulturachse Zürich-Lugano
15.9.2019
Sonntagszeitung
«Hunde vermenschlichen war das Letzte, was ich wollte»
MIGROS Kulturprozent Classics New appearance, new
00:00
MIGROS Kulturprozent Classics
  • Corporate Identity
  • Pitch
Design: Data-Orbit
2020

Moments of Ecstasy.

As part of the rebranding project of the established brand MIGROS Kulturprozent Classics, Neutral was asked to participate in a selected pitch to formulate a convincing visual language and structure that works optimally at all levels of communication in all channels, as well as a visual presentation that involves current and future target groups.

Pringle of Scotland Look at fusty old Pringle
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Pringle of Scotland
  • Strategy
  • Campaign
  • Activation
  • Communications
Ryan McGinley, Roe Etheridge, Walter Pfeiffer, Zoe Ghertner, David Shrigley, Liam Gillick, Douglas Gordon, Franz Ferdinand, Alistair Gray, Atelier Oï
2009 – 2013

Staging a fulminant rebirth for the Scottish heritage brand.

Pringle of Scotland is one of the oldest luxury fashion brands in the world. The traditional Scottish manufacturer of knitwear had reached the dead end of brand vitality. Agency and brand managed the turnaround within a short period of time.

Firstly, with the reactivation of its specific heritage and the revival of the craft tradition. Secondly, with the conception and design of desirable limited-edition products that attracted attention in the lead titles of international media, and generated sales. Neutral collaborated with outstanding Scottish creatives – designers and artists: sweaters and twin sets became cult objects. Thirdly, with campaigns that stood out in the lifestyle and fashion world. Tilda Swinton was engaged as spokesperson, campaigns were shot with Ryan McGinley, Roe Etheridge, Walter Pfeiffer, Zoe Ghertner.

Neutral created a legendary brand film with artist David Shrigley, an important partnership with the prestigious Serpentine Galleries, artist collaborations with Liam Gillick, Douglas Gordon, Franz Ferdinand, Alistair Gray, pop-up stores, runway show concepts and shop windows. Neutral also contributed to flagship store architecture by signing up award-winning bureau Atelier Oï. Together with its network of international PR agencies Neutral achieved outstanding global press coverage, establishing a powerful image.

8.12.2011
New York Times
Sweater Art in Miami
5.12.2011
New York Times, Magazine
3.3.2012
Sleek
21.9.2011
Monopol
Mode ist keine Monokultur
9.9.2011
Die Weltwoche, Stil
Puma From sports to sports lifestyle
00:00
Puma
  • Strategy
  • Campaign
  • Activation
  • Communications
Ryan McGinley, Hank Willis Thomas, Rashid Johnson
2007 – 2009

Driving the process from pure sports article manufacturer to sports lifestyle brand.

Puma approached Neutral with the task to drive the strategy change from pure sports article manufacturer to sports lifestyle brand worldwide within a short period of time.

Neutral conceived the repositioning with an immersive campaign. And with the creation of lifestyle products: the agency invented the Reality Bag series together with the Serpentine Galleries London and invited more than 200 artists and designers to collaborate. Neutral worked with John Armleder for the iconic design. Campaigns were shot by Ryan McGinley and Hank Willis Thomas and Rashid Johnson respectively, the latter two also featuring as models. Story and design of these limited-edition bags ensured high coverage in the media and traffic at POS.

Images and videos: Courtesy of Puma

12.12.2008
Kurier
Kunst-Shopping
4.1.2009
Weekend Le Vif
Breakfast in America
5.3.2009
Wallpaper
American Dreams
5.3.2009
Vogue Paris
Black Art
9.3.2009
Financial Times
Objekt der Begierde: reality bag no. 2
6.12.2024
Dazed & Confused
Created with the needs of a city dweller in mind
12.1.2008
Elle
3.1.2008
Numero
L’art est dans le sac
4.3.2008
Style
Tasche mit Hirn. John Armleders edel-Accessoire für Puma
6.12.2008
Vanity Fair
Schulterschluss. Ein Sportartikelhersteller und eine Londoner Galerie entwerfen eine Tasche voller Kunst
12.3.2008
Vogue Spain
14.2.2008
Bunte
«The Reality Bag» von Puma wird die It-Tasche des Jahres.
8.6.2008
New York Times
The art world’s inner circle gathers to celebrate the new IT bag
Vienna Tourism A cultured
Vienna Tourism
  • Activation
  • Communications
2013

Activating Vienna’s partnership with Art Basel for a culture curious public.

For 7 years until today Neutral has been curating Vienna’s storytelling in the collector’s lounge of Art Basel and spreading the news, that Vienna is Europe’s number one cultural destination.

Windsor Raw excitement for the first time in the brands
Windsor
  • Strategy
  • Activation
Helmut Newton, Cindy Sherman, Inez & Vinoodh, Erwin Wurm, Karen Kilimnik, Richard Prince, Sylvie Fleury, Ugo Rondinone, Roe Etheridge
2002 – 2006

Positioning Windsor in the absolute now with a collection for contemporary photography.

For German fashion house Windsor Neutral created the Windsor collection for contemporary photography, a measure supporting the repositioning of the brand in the now. The collection was accompanied by a series of activations such as a distinct series of publications, a public live shooting with Helmut Newton and an exhibition at Pitti Uomo in Milan. Featured artists include Cindy Sherman, Inez & Vinoodh, Erwin Wurm, Karen Kilimnik, Richard Prince, Sylvie Fleury, Ugo Rondinone, Roe Etheridge.

Images and videos: Courtesy of Windsor

5.1.2001
Vogue Germany
Windsor-Parade: Eine Sammlung neuer Fotografie zeit die coole Erotik der Gegenwart
2.8.2003
Welt am Sonntag
Das Überleben als Kunstform
Zimmerli of Switzerland World’s finest branding and
Zimmerli of Switzerland
  • Corporate Identity
  • Campaign
Zoe Ghertner
2013

Global re-branding of Switzerland’s traditional luxury underwear brand.

Zimmerli of Switzerland is the iconic producer of luxury underwear loved all over the world. Neutral executed a complete repositioning, including a new visual identity, revised logo, packaging and an advertising campaign shot by Zoe Ghertner in a contemporary concrete house in the Swiss mountains.

Zurich Financial Services The Next Three Years for Europe’s
Zurich Financial Services
  • Strategy
  • Activation
2004

Staging the new Corporate Business Europe division for Zurich insurances.

The CEOs, CFOs and Chairmen of the largest companies in seven European countries needed to be inspired by the solution-oriented and forward-thinking insurance services of Zurich Financial Services. A b2b communication offensive was required.

How do you get into the calendar of business leaders? With unusual content and the corresponding information advantage. «The Next Three Years» was both concept and brand: a b2b initiative that was one of the most striking content-based campaigns in the corporate sector at the time. Neutral asked experts from design, finance and business, research, culture, philosophy, sociology and science worldwide the same question: «What will happen in your field of knowledge in the next three years?» Together with economists Jonas Ridderstrale and Kjell Nordstrom from the School of Economics Stockholm, Neutral analysed the content and derived scenarios for the future. A roadshow was performed in seven countries. According to Zurich, «The next three years» was one of their most successful campaigns of Zurich's corporate business.

«What if» was Neutral’s campaign preceding The Next Three Years. In the aftermath «What if» became the worldwide consumer campaign of ZURICH.

Zurich Tourism Where Zurich is hot spot
Zurich Tourism
  • Strategy
2019

Positioning the city of Zurich as the influential hot spot for contemporary art.

Alienation, punk and the famous 80’s «movement» lead to liberation and subsequently to the foundation of Zurich as a breeding ground for contemporary art. For Zurich Tourism, Neutral analyzed Zurich’s cultural fields, developed proof of evidence, storytelling und defined anchor points for future activations.

VOLTA Art Fairs Discover. Connect.
VOLTA Art Fairs
  • Strategic Communication
  • PR
  • Sponsorship
2021

Refining the art fair experience to its essential elements

VOLTA Art Fair fosters galleries in staging ambitious solo and group presentations. Under a new direction VOLTA aims to position itself as the main satellite fair for future Art Basel galleries.

Neutral is to establish a strong media presence and visibility in the Swiss-German side of Switzerland, as well as in the neighbouring German-speaking countries while building relationships with local key players, such as institutions, museum directors, gallery owners, journalists and VIPs.




Neutral is a communications, identity and thought leadership agency servicing brands, companies, institutions and cities. We have been a partner of strategic and creative transformation in economy, culture and retail since 2001. We're committed to supporting you in raising your stature and becoming more meaningful, visible and influential.

We are a pioneer in leveraging architecture, art, design and science to make your mission more engaging.

Neutral Zurich AG
yes@neutral.plus
Wasserwerkstrasse 129
8037 Zürich Switzerland

Neutral is a communications, identity and thought leadership agency servicing brands, companies, institutions and cities. We have been a partner of strategic and creative transformation in economy, culture and retail since 2001. We're committed to supporting you in raising your stature and becoming more meaningful, visible and influential.

We are a pioneer in leveraging architecture, art, design and science to make your mission more engaging.

Neutral Zurich AG
yes@neutral.plus
Wasserwerkstrasse 129
8037 Zürich Switzerland

Branding, re-branding and brand transformation strategies and processes. Brand-positioning in the market, in public and in society. Translation of thought leadership strategy into messaging and campaigning.

Brand strategy + thought leadership

Branding, re-branding and brand transformation strategies and processes. Brand-positioning in the market, in public and in society. Translation of thought leadership strategy into messaging and campaigning.

Implementation of the brand strategy into your culture.

Holistic corporate identity + corporate design

Implementation of the brand strategy into your culture.

Content strategy and storytelling. Sustainability and responsibility action planning. Campaigning. Workshops and training. Meaningful advertising. Event programming. Social media strategy and community activation. PR and reputation management.

Strategic communications

Content strategy and storytelling. Sustainability and responsibility action planning. Campaigning. Workshops and training. Meaningful advertising. Event programming. Social media strategy and community activation. PR and reputation management.

We use our vast network in architecture, beauty, contemporary art, design, finance, literature, science, tech and urbanism to cast the most influential voices and develop meaningful relationships on a micro and macro level. Our influencer campaigns and collaborations are modern, distinctive, intelligent, disruptive, audience-targeted and inspiring. Our influencer operations are led by co-founder Michelle Nicol.

Influencing

We use our vast network in architecture, beauty, contemporary art, design, finance, literature, science, tech and urbanism to cast the most influential voices and develop meaningful relationships on a micro and macro level. Our influencer campaigns and collaborations are modern, distinctive, intelligent, disruptive, audience-targeted and inspiring. Our influencer operations are led by co-founder Michelle Nicol.

Deployment of art, design and architecture as experiantial strategic tool. Creation of collections in art, design and architecture. Collection management and programming. Collection scenography. Education.

Curation

Deployment of art, design and architecture as experiantial strategic tool. Creation of collections in art, design and architecture. Collection management and programming. Collection scenography. Education.

 

Clients

Airport Zurich
Art Basel
Audemars Piguet
Boffi
Cartier
Chloé
Città di Lugano
Credit Suisse
E.A.T. Engadin Art Talks

Galerie Eva Presenhuber
GDI Gottlieb Duttweiler Institute
Hornbach
Istituto Svizzero
Julius Bär
La Prairie of Switzerland

MASI Museo d’Arte della Svizzera Italiana
Mobiliar
Pringle of Scotland
Pro Helvetia
Puma
Valser Wasser
Vienna Tourism
Zimmerli of Switzerland
Zurich Tourism

Founders

Michelle Nicol
Curator, entrepreneur

Michelle’s background is in contemporary art and architecture. She has a master degree in art history and film from the University of Zurich. She started her career working as a writer for international newspapers and magazines while curating bespoke art collections and exhibitions. She ran a temporary boutique for art edition in Zurich called Serial in 1993. She worked as a curator for Museum Ludwig in Cologne and curated the fashion section for the first edition of the Berlin Biennale in 1998.

Michelle co-founded Neutral with partners from the advertising world in 2001. She has built a track record advising global companies and brands on strategy, change programmes as well as positioning and re-positioning mainly in the lifestyle, fashion and art industries. Extensive experience in the retail sector creating new experiences. Known as creator of intelligent brand content and storytelling, which impacts advertising and generates PR. High-quality global network in design, architecture, fashion and contemporary art. Skilled at leading a team of 20plus employees.

In the past years Michelle has intensified her moderation activity for conferences and talks such as GDI Gottlieb Duttweiler Institute, Locarno Film Festival, Kontext – the Think Tank of Swiss Textiles, and the Luxury Venture Group Geneva.

Michelle Nicol is a board member of ADC Art Directors Club Switzerland.

Rudolf Schürmann
Strategist, creative director, entrepreneur

Graduated in graphic design at the Kunstgewerbeschule Luzern, today the Lucerne University of Design and Art. Post graduate studies of painting at the Staatliche Hochschule für Bildende Künste Frankfurt with Professor Johann Georg Geyger, art history with Klaus Gallwitz.Transfer to the Düsseldorf Art Academy, Professor Gotthard Graubner.

Practice as an artist: works influenced by situationism, structuralism and hard edge painting. His photographic works looked a lot like those of Jeff Wall – without him know him knowing Wall at the time.

Rudolf started in advertising as a copywriter. Then he became Chief Creative Officer (CCO) and Managing Director in advertising and communication agencies in Switzerland and Europe: Advico Young&Rubicam, Saatchi&Saatchi, Euro RSCG. He joined retailer Media Markt as CCO.

Numerous national and international awards in advertising, branding and marketing communication. Responsible for the Swiss Campaign of the Year 2000.

Co-founder of Neutral, where he is instrumental in making brands, companies, institutions more visible and influential as innovators and thought leaders.

Self-study of architecture, interior decoration, urbanism through renovating and rebuilding important architecture as well as working with architects for client projects. Rudolf discovered forgotten buildings of the post-war modernism long before the trend towards brutalism and post-war modernism was spread through Wallpaper and other publications. Inhabitation, renovation and reconstruction of a series of misunderstood houses and architectural icons of the 60s through 80s.

Rudolf Schürmann is a member of ADC Art Directors Club Switzerland.

Impressum

Code:Olivier Hug, baenziger-hug.com
Design:Data-Orbit, data-orbit.ch
Inhalt:Neutral Zurich AG

Wasserwerkstrasse 129
8037 Zürich Switzerland