The schedule of your favourite festival of creativity and communication has been revealed – important state and European institutions are joining our diverse community of national communicators to start the conversation about current topics highly relevant to our entire society.
Festival halls full to the brim, high-quality and relevant topics, global leaders, and charging the creative batteries in the spring ambience of the Hotel Lone in Rovinj amongst national leaders of the market communications industry – preparations for the new DK Festival are going full steam ahead, and its ninth edition will attract several thousand people on 20-23 April. The official schedule has been announced, and communicators can once again join several interesting discussions on topics important for the whole industry, as well as society in general – find out more about some of those below.
EUROPE, FOREIGN INTERFERENCE AND INFORMATION MANIPULATION BY EUROPEAN COMMISSION IN CROATIA
Before the 21st century had begun, it was impossible to imagine that the abundance of information would lead to disinformation – foreign actors who are targeting the EU with their disinformation campaigns, as well as social media that is an inexhaustible source of false information, are causing the proliferation of dangerous disinformation across the EU, negatively impacting public opinion and democracy. European Commission in Croatia believes that we can win this fight, which they will discuss at the Europe, Foreign Interference and Information Manipulation panel. The discussion will be moderated by Ognian Zlatev (Head of European Commission in Croatia), who will be joined by Jasna Jelisić (Head of Western Balkans Task Force, European External Action Service), and together with the audience they will emphasize the fact that cooperation is the key factor in the fight against disinformation.
SUGAR RUSH
Excess weight in early childhood can have a significant impact on a child’s physical and mental health, academic performance, and quality of life, as well as increases the risk of developing obesity and other chronic non-communicable diseases in adulthood. The causes of excess weight and obesity in early childhood are multiple, and one of the factors is children’s exposure to advertising of high-fat, high-salt, and high-sugar foods and beverages (HFSS). UNICEF Croatia will warn us about the growing problem at their Sugar Rush: Examining the Effects of Advertising HFSS to Children panel and give us advice on how responsible marketing and advertising of food and beverages to children can help create an environment that makes healthy choices easier. Anđela Buljan Šiber (Chairwoman, HURA), Maja Lang-Morović (Rehabilitation Specialist, Croatian Institute of Public Health) and Lidija Gamulin (Head of Partnerships, UNICEF Croatia) will open a discussion moderated by Martina Prokl Predragović (Communication Consultant, UNICEF Croatia) and provide recommendations on how to work through cross-sector collaboration on market regulation and quality.
EUROPE OF EQUALITY
When new legislation is introduced, how we do business changes. Sometimes the changes are slight and barely noticeable. Other times they can affect everything from the ground up. One such change was recently adopted by the EU – the so-called Women on Boards Directive that demands there should be more women in leadership roles by the end of June 2026. In the Europe of Equality by European Commission in Croatia panel Andrea Čović Vidović (Deputy Head and Head of Press and Media, European Commission in Croatia) and Marina Burazer (Marketing Director, Fortenova grupa) will discuss the critical issues of gender mainstreaming, a better work-life balance, promoting women in decision-making and closing gender gaps on the labor market.
SHOW ME THE MONEY
A myriad of Croatian places can be seen on movies and TV shows – Dubrovnik famously played King’s Landing in Game of Thrones, while Croatian island of Vis played Greece in Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again. All of these presented amazing opportunities to put Croatia on the entertainment map, but they still beg the question – when will Croatia start playing Croatia? When will we get rid of the “cheap film destination” label and start leveraging our beautiful tourist spots to become recognizable worldwide? Croatian Chamber of Economy (HGK) invited Jagoda Divić (Independent Advisor, Croatian Chamber of Economy) and Dalibor Matanić (Acclaimed Screenwriter and Film Director) for their Show Me the Money! Film Production for a Good Job in Croatia discussion, where they will talk about branding Croatia through film from a business perspective that can not only boost local filmmakers but our tourism industry as a whole.
COMMUNICATING EUROPE IN TIMES OF POLYCRISIS
The multiple crises of the past years continue to present European citizens and policymakers with profound challenges. Yet, they have also served as a catalyst for new solutions and policies in various areas, from digital and green transition to security. One such example is the work on EU Artificial Intelligence Act, a first-of-its-kind attempt at horizontal AI regulation, providing Europe with a leading role in setting the global standard. This will be a topic of the Communicating Europe in Times of Polycrisis by European Parliament, Office in Croatia panel hosted by Maja Ljubić Kutnjak (Press Officer, European Parliament Office in Croatia), who will discuss these issues with Milly Doolan (Managing Director, EuroNavigator).
You can get your ticket for one of the best events in the world according to the British Association Excellence Awards here.