Marius Born

Dr. Marius Born is a lecturer at the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) School of Applied Linguistics, Institute of Applied Media Studies. A media professional with senior management experience in television, he served as Editor-in-Chief of SRF Swiss Radio and Television's ECO programme (2009-2012) and Head of Documentaries (2012-2017), earning awards like the Swiss Television Award and Prix Walo. His research focuses on trust formation in startup communication, narrative strategies, and argumentation in media.

• PhD in Communication Sciences (summa cum laude), Università della Svizzera italiana (2017-2023)
• MA in Management & Organizational Psychology, University of Zurich (1992-1995)

His academic work spans media studies, cultural analysis, and visual storytelling, with publications including the monograph Building Trust in Startup Communication (2024) and co-edited volumes like Screening Economies (2018). His 2024 Springer Business Cases study on Nikola Corporation's rise/fall provides a framework for strategic communication in emerging technologies.

Scientific awards include:

• Prix Walo (2025) for documentary excellence
• Swiss Television Award (2010) for ECO programme
• Swiss-Russian Journalism Award (2007)

As founder of Born Media, he advises executives and startups on leadership communication and visual strategy, blending academic rigor with practical corporate experience from IBM and Swiss media institutions.