By: Ekrem Dupanović
Darko Buković, definitely one of Croatia’s best business journalists, a person with ample knowledge of business conditions in Croatia and the region, moderator of numerous economic forums and conferences, after many years spent in print journalism, simply couldn’t resist the challenge of another media, this time an electronic one, with heavy use of new technologies. Now, as the founder and editor-in-chief of the first business radio in this part of Europe, he conducts all his activities under the brand poslovniFM.
MM: You’ve been in the print media for a very long time. Now you’re launching your own radio. It seems logical that you would launch a radio station dedicated to business, after all you mastered the craft of business journalism. What is the underlying idea behind poslovniFM?
Darko Buković: I often say “you always remember the first”, because first is always the boldest and different. So, now I confirm those words, through my own project. The experience in business-media which I acquired for years steered me towards building a strong, proactive media, that will be much more than just a media outlet – poslovniFM is actually the voice of business!
At the same time, the modern technological advancements and opportunities provided by the world wide web (Internet) have led us to think faster. Faster, but not rashly!
Combining the tradition of the oldest media (radio) with contemporary digital platforms, it functions as the first business e-radio in our region, with on-demand content. What is, for example, Netflix for television, poslovniFM is for radio, through its podcast of all business content shows – you listen to it whenever you want it, all at www.poslovniFM.com.
Business journalism today – I dare say – might just be the last oasis of true analytical, high-quality journalism. I wanted to create a project where entrepreneurs, those who create and employ, will have their own media – a place where they will communicate with each other.
It was born as an expression of the desire to present good stories, events and the successes of entrepreneurs to wider audience, especially having in mind the fact that today’s mainstream media don’t give economy and entrepreneurship the treatment they deserve due to their strength and importance.
Unfortunately, one of the biggest problems of all radio stations in Croatia (and I know this is true in all the other countries of the region) is the lack of quality business information and content, which is why we will provide content for free syndication to other radio stations.
PoslovniFM inaugurates the LRW model of communication in one place – Listen, Read, Watch – thus becoming a unique media outlet for the benefit of the economy.
MM: Could you give us a rough outline of the program? What should listeners expect?
Darko Buković: Entrepreneurship-oriented, it is the true voice of the economy – a voice that has been acutely lacking in the industry! It is a place of constant work on raising the culture of talking about business, a place for good entrepreneurial stories. We all lack conversations, and even confronting opinions … through conversation.
The exceptionally high quality of top calibre journalists and editors, combined with the young talents, will bring a whole range of broadcasts and content, with clear theme, consumer oriented, and intended to provide added value information – to put it simply, it is the place of good entrepreneurial and affirmative stories.
The names of the shows themselves speak about the wide encompassing of topics, because for us everything is business – Tourism385, Bizculture, Anamneza, Rhythm of business, Insure … for Retirement, Agribusiness, Business and Pets, and so on.
At the same time, I can proudly make an exclusive announcement of the shows that will be hosted by great names, such as Božo Skoko (Brand forum), Feđa Vukić (about contemporary design), the Sandwich show where two editors from other media will have one guest. I am also proud of the show Senior, which we alternatively named a life interview or conversation with people who may be retired on paper, but in spirit and knowledge they are the ones that should be learned from, and whose advice can be an added value in every business.
The monthly show Culture of Communication will also have its place in the program – it’s the first show of its kind and is dedicated to creative industries – marketing, communication, creative agencies, as well as those for strategic communication and PR.
The bar has been set high. Our studio is now recording and preparing the materials. And I want to underline, our goal is not to have the best voices, but the best business editors and hosts who know how to ask the right questions.
MM: Preparations for launch are almost completed. When can we expect you on air, and how much will you be present in the program as author of the shows? I ask this because I know you as a hyper-productive person.
Darko Buković: As you yourself are a good long-lasting example, journalism is a bug, a curse, which, once it bites you, you can’t live without it. That said, I just can’t be deprived of my own show …. Namely, the show that I had for several seasons on local and regional tv stations, “Time for the Economy”, continues its media path. I will continue to talk to those who have something to say, decision makers who resist all the craziness around us with work. I will seek, and represent, such inspirational interlocutors.
And something special for the end. The launch of the poslovniFM is followed by the first unique contest of business photography in Croatia and the region. Under the motto “hands dirty with work smell of dignity”, the contest will have three categories, hands, persons, drive / space, and its aim is to additionally empower the view of business.
