The new expert team shaping the upcoming seasons of Croatia’s most prestigious competition for marketing effectiveness has been announced.
Following the adoption of the new Guidelines for the Effie Awards Croatia Organizing Committee – and a successful close to the 2025 Effie Awards Croatia season in Rovinj, where 15 outstanding and effective campaigns were recognized – a call for nominations for new Committee members was issued.
Through a clearly defined selection process, as outlined in the Guidelines, the newly appointed Committee members were chosen for their professional expertise, industry knowledge and strong motivation to advance and promote marketing effectiveness in Croatia.
In line with Effie Worldwide’s best practices, the new Organising Committee – alongside HURA’s representative Eva Trstenjak – brings together voices from three key groups: advertisers, agencies and neutral members.
Advertiser representatives:
- Dubravka Štefanac, A1 Hrvatska
- Vanja Prahić, Croatia osiguranje
- Bruno Krčelić, ENNA grupa
Agency representatives:
- Dina Dretvić, Imago Ogilvy (full-service agency)
- Ljiljana Ivošević, OMD Media (media agency)
- Jelena Fiškuš, Studio Sonda (creative agency)
Neutral representatives:
- Andrea Mišura Žuvela, Mizuco
- Mario Fraculj, University Algebra Bernays
Effectiveness – the ability of creative campaigns to deliver real, measurable results – is at the heart of every Effie Award. But behind a competition that celebrates effectiveness, there must be a team equally effective in developing it, staying in tune with market changes and needs. That’s why I’m especially proud we’ve brought together an outstanding Organizing Committee – representatives from agencies, advertisers, and independent experts who understand the industry, anticipate trends, and build a platform that connects, educates, and celebrates our market, said Eva Trstenjak, HURA’s representative on the Organizing Committee.
Connecting ideas with results while staying true to the profession and its values is no small challenge – and Effie is proof that strategically thought-out communication can drive real change. As a Committee member, I hope to help make Effie even more visible and understood by the wider public – not just as an award, but as a symbol of excellence in marketing communications. I want to keep expanding the space for recognition and support for all those who put immense energy, expertise, and heart into projects that deliver business results and leave a lasting impact, added Dubravka Štefanac (A1 Hrvatska).
For years, I took part in Effie as an entrant – now I’m stepping ‘behind the scenes,’ which is especially exciting. Effie is my favourite industry award because it celebrates ideas that work – tangible results behind creative thinking. I’m looking forward to working with the rest of the Committee, exchanging experiences, and developing new initiatives that will further strengthen the value of the competition in Croatia, added Dina Dretvić (Imago Ogilvy).
The new Organizing Committee will begin its work this autumn, ensuring all preparations are in place for the 2026 Effie Awards Croatia season. For more information, visit the official website.