Claude-Olivier Rochat
- Head of Information of the Students’Association, University of Geneva
- Journalist with Journal de Genève
- For a Swiss Employers’ Organisation (EconomieSuisse), conceived and led more than 70 campaigns before national votes (banking secrecy, nuclear issues, genetic engineering, etc.)
- 1986: sets up Suisse romande agency of Farner PR
- 1990: created Rochat & Partners
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For 16 years, Board member of Fédération des Entreprises Romandes, former President of Geneva’s Lion Club, Council member of the International Public Relations Association
Biography
At Geneva University, as a law student, Claude-Olivier Rochat was already in charge of the Students' Association's information. Later he created and successfully launched the first monthly magazine distributed in the Universities of Geneva and Lausanne.
After a few years as political editor (and pop music critic !) at the Journal de Genève, he spent one year at the Swiss Center for Advertising and Communication in Biel, where he received a diploma in advertising and marketing.
For 13 years, as head of information for EconomieSuisse (an Employers' Federation) for the French-speaking part of Switzerland, Claude-Olivier was in charge of masterminding and leading more than 70 national referendum campaigns that were vital for the business and industrial community, from nuclear power issues to banking secrecy.
At that time he was also secretary of the Free Enterprise Information Group, which links the directors of information of the European, Japanese and American Employers' Federations.
In addition, for some ten years, he directed the communication operations of the liberal (conservative) party, whose number of seats in the Geneva Parliament jumped from 11 to 25 seats (out of a total of 100).
In 1986, Claude-Olivier became a partner of Zurich-based Farner Public Relations and created their agency in the French-speaking part of Switzerland. In 1990, he founded Rochat & Partners.
After a few years as political editor (and pop music critic !) at the Journal de Genève, he spent one year at the Swiss Center for Advertising and Communication in Biel, where he received a diploma in advertising and marketing.
For 13 years, as head of information for EconomieSuisse (an Employers' Federation) for the French-speaking part of Switzerland, Claude-Olivier was in charge of masterminding and leading more than 70 national referendum campaigns that were vital for the business and industrial community, from nuclear power issues to banking secrecy.
At that time he was also secretary of the Free Enterprise Information Group, which links the directors of information of the European, Japanese and American Employers' Federations.
In addition, for some ten years, he directed the communication operations of the liberal (conservative) party, whose number of seats in the Geneva Parliament jumped from 11 to 25 seats (out of a total of 100).
In 1986, Claude-Olivier became a partner of Zurich-based Farner Public Relations and created their agency in the French-speaking part of Switzerland. In 1990, he founded Rochat & Partners.
Besides a unique network of contacts, Claude-Olivier has strong experience in banking and financial PR, public affairs and lobbying, crisis management and communication for IT companies.
The Swiss financial daily Agefi describes him as « a man of influence more than a public person ». And the book « Those who make Geneva » underlines « don't be mystified by his rather British phlegm. He has a lot of drive. And is as efficient as he is calm ».
A former president of the Geneva Old Town Association and the Geneva Lions Club, Claude-Olivier now chairs the Friends of the Art & History Museum. He is also a Board member of the Geneva Employers' Federation. Besides sailing, his main hobby is gardening. And this dog lover breeds tortoises as well as frogs.
The Swiss financial daily Agefi describes him as « a man of influence more than a public person ». And the book « Those who make Geneva » underlines « don't be mystified by his rather British phlegm. He has a lot of drive. And is as efficient as he is calm ».
A former president of the Geneva Old Town Association and the Geneva Lions Club, Claude-Olivier now chairs the Friends of the Art & History Museum. He is also a Board member of the Geneva Employers' Federation. Besides sailing, his main hobby is gardening. And this dog lover breeds tortoises as well as frogs.
Contact
Mail : rochat[at]rochat-pr.ch
Phone : +41(0)22 786 54 55