From politics and elections to children’s rights, influencer (self)regulation and the EU-topia narrative — the President of the Republic of Croatia, Zoran Milanović, will open the 2025 edition of DK Festival, where the spotlight will shine on a wide range of regulatory and institutional challenges through the lens of modern communication.
Top-tier speakers. Hard-hitting content. Insights you won’t get anywhere else. Mid-May in Rovinj is once again the epicenter of the comms world. The full lineup is OUT — with the main stage roster locked and the four other stages unveiled. As always, the festival invites attendees to dive into bold discussions across all corners of the communications ecosystem. And this year, opening remarks will come from none other than the President of the Republic of Croatia Milanović himself who will address global challenges, political realities, and the essential role of communication in shaping them.
Though DK is rooted in marketing and communications, the festival never stays in its lane. We take on the bigger picture — the institutions, the laws, the values. We systematically open important dialogues that address institutional frameworks, legislative changes, and societal values — advocating for a responsible and modern future of communications. A future that enables strong market growth and supports the domestic economy. Ours has always been an industry on the front line — among the first to sense change and among the few able to articulate it. The same holds true today with AI. Generative artificial intelligence, geopolitical shifts, market disruptions… these are simply new frameworks within which we continue to lead, creating relevant, meaningful and impactful communications that shape both business and society. Through collaboration with institutions, NGOs and business leaders, the communications industry stands as a vital contributor and powerful ally in addressing the key challenges of the modern world, said Dunja Ivana Ballon, Festival Director and Executive Director of HURA (Croatian Association of Communications Agencies), the festival organizer.
EU-TOPIA OR NOT? WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW TO STAY AHEAD IN THE GAME BY EUROPEAN COMMISSION IN CROATIA
Regulations from Brussels aren’t just rules — they’re reshaping the very foundation of how business is done across the EU. Get up to speed on the Digital Services Act, the AI Act, and more in this session moderated by Hana Huzjak (Economic Counselor, European Commission in Croatia), with speakers including Vedran Bilas (Dean at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing, University of Zagreb), Hrvoje Josip Balen (Co-founder, University Algebra Bernays) and Domagoj Juričić (Political Risk Management Consultant, MKPS).
ON INFLUENCER MARKETING BY IAB CROATIA: IS YOUR FEED A LIE?
Authenticity is the currency — or is it? As influencer content blends seamlessly with our feeds, the line between opinion and promotion is blurrier than ever. This panel, hosted by IAB Croatia’s (Self)Regulation Hub, takes a hard look at what ethical influencer marketing should look like in 2025. Panelists include Mario Fraculj (Marketing Forensics Expert), Dario Marčac (Founder, Crew) and Marin Katušić (Monetization Director, Index Promocija), moderated by Sandra Babić (Editor and Product Lead, Lider Media).
FACTS, BIG TECH AND ELECTIONS: WHAT ABOUT DEMOCRACY? BY HUOJ
In a year with four major elections in Croatia, this session explores how digital platforms and AI are shaping — and shaking — democratic institutions. Can democracy survive the algorithm? Featuring Damir Habijan (Minister of Justice, Administration, and Digital Transformation) and Ivanka Mabić Gagić (Executive Director, Aleph Group), moderated by Mario Aunedi Medek (President of CPRA, Board Member Val Group).
PROTECTING CHILDREN IN THE DIGITAL PLAYGROUND BY UNICEF
Children are digital natives, but are we doing enough to protect them in the online world? Alongside the growth of the digital environment, the risks children are exposed to are also increasing — making it essential to understand how to ensure that digital spaces remain safe, empowering and positive for their youngest users. This conversation brings together UNICEF, corporate leaders and regulatory experts to outline how to keep digital spaces safe, positive, and educational. With panelists Dubravka Štefanac (Corporate communication director, A1 Croatia), Helenca Pirnat Dragičević (Ombudsperson for Children of the Republic of Croatia), Roman Turk (CEO, DIVISION 4 VISION) and Igor Vukasović (Corporate Communications Director, Hrvatski Telekom) moderated by Lidija Gamulin (Head of Partnerships, UNICEF Croatia).
PPP POWERED BY OŽUJSKO PIVO: PITCH ME IF YOU CAN – GUIDE TO FAIR & SMART AGENCY SELECTION
The pitch process is crucial — but often emotionally and operationally draining in the marketing industry. While agencies invest knowledge, creativity, and energy into pitches to win new clients, advertisers search for the perfect partner — but too often, this process ends in misunderstandings, mismatched expectations, and missed opportunities. In the PPP interactive discussion format, we’ll open up a conversation on how to make pitching fairer, more efficient, and more transparent for all involved. The discussion will be moderated by Marina Bolanča (CEO, Abeceda komunikacije), with participants Luka Duboković (CEO, BBDO), Ružica Ilak (Executive Director, Pragma komunikacije), Emilija Sačer (Brand Identity and Communication Director, Podravka) and Zvonimir Seki (Marketing Director, Franck).
CREATIVITY CAGED: HOW TO CHANGE PUBLIC PROCUREMENT?
Public procurement should be a springboard for creativity, but in practice it often stifles the best ideas under the weight of bureaucracy and lowest-price policies. So how do we change that? Members of HURA’s Impact Task Force will tackle this question. The discussion will be moderated by Dunja Bua (CEO & Owner, Pragma komunikacije), and participants will include Ana Fresl (President of the Board, Projekt jednako razvoj), Andreja Vranješ (COO, Morgan Grey) and Tanja Ninić (Founder, Project11).
And that’s just the start. From creativity, AI and business to trust, protest, and responsible advertising — DK 2025 is packed with sessions designed to challenge, connect, and empower.
DK is also bringing in world-class creative minds from across the globe in design, digital, user attention, pitching, artificial intelligence, and more.
Want in?
Join us in Rovinj, 15 — 18 May