With the official schedule now released, Dani komunikacija enters its final stage of preparation, once again confirming its ambition not only to follow but to actively shape the industry it brings together. The program, taking place from May 7 to 10 in Rovinj, features close to 100 program segments and over 200 speakers, distributed across three days and three nights of content that continuously overlaps, evolves, and builds on itself.
For several thousand attendees, this year’s edition reflects the breadth of topics shaping today’s communications industry, as well as the dynamics of a community that is constantly evolving, expanding, and connecting. This diversity is most visible through parallel formats and content that increasingly exist not in isolation, but in dialogue and interaction.
A program where FOMO is part of the experience
Rather than a traditional linear structure, Dani komunikacija once again offers a program designed to be actively chosen, skipped, and combined. The festival spans eight locations, with five festival stages and the main AAA hall presented in a new format.
The program extends beyond hotel spaces. Following the success of the Poolside Stage, a new The Garden Stage has been introduced on the lawn in front of Hotel Lone, offering a more relaxed yet content-rich format where conversations continue naturally beyond formal sessions. The festival beach concept also returns, with live streams of keynote sessions and evening beach afterparties, while Saturday introduces the first beach session featuring a performance by Porto Morto.
Topics shaping practice, not just discussion
Through a series of conversations, the program addresses issues that directly impact how the industry operates, from professional standards and advertiser-agency relationships to the influence of artificial intelligence on visibility and advertising. It also explores the relationship between truth and perception, responsibility in communication aimed at children, and the role of emerging formats such as podcasts.
The agenda further covers brand relevance, decision-making within organizations, communication under pressure, the cost of creativity, junior perspectives, ESG challenges, and the role of culture and science as spaces of trust.
“The program needs to be strong enough to compete with the sun, the sea, and the Rovinj waterfront, but also relevant enough for participants to take away real value. Each year, we push it forward not to have more content, but better content,” said Dunja Ivana Ballon, Festival and Program Director, emphasizing the need for deeper, more focused, and more meaningful conversations.
The program is further enriched by speakers from outside the communications industry, including Korado Korlević, Tomislav Ćorić, Damir Habijan, Andrea Čović Vidović, Damir Sabol, Boris Jokić, Marina Mesar OKO, Igor Šeregi, Zoran Šprajc, Mario Mandarić, Baby Lasagna, Mario Aunedi Medek, Zvonimir Galić, and Sven Sorić.
The main stage brings global voices
The main festival stage will feature a lineup of international experts shaping the direction of the industry. Among them are Jürgen Schmidhuber, a pioneer of modern artificial intelligence, Julie Supan, a brand strategist behind platforms such as YouTube and Airbnb, Mark Pollard, one of today’s most influential strategists, and Chris Do, a designer and mentor redefining how creatives position their work.
Also joining the program are Steve Keller, an expert in sonic branding, Dora Pekeč, a communications expert behind Zohran Mamdani’s campaign, Daan Klaver, who has worked with brands such as Adidas and Polaroid, Alex Cattoni, founder of The Copy Posse, Mike Follette, a pioneer of the attention economy, Neil Patel, a global digital marketing expert, Jule Kim, a specialist in leadership and decision-making, and Stephan Loerke, who brings a global advertiser perspective.
The festival as an experience
Beyond its educational program, Dani komunikacija continues to position itself as a space for networking, relaxation, and connection. The program includes award ceremonies such as BalCannes, IdejaX, Young Lions, Effie Awards Croatia, and MIXX Awards Croatia powered by Admixer Media, along with a range of additional experiences, from DK2026 helicopter panoramic flights to guided tours of Rovinj.
The festival day begins with activities such as the morning running club and yoga sessions, and ends with evening programs and parties. The music program opens with Edo Maajka, followed by DKLUB: NO EXIT PARTY and the traditional AAA headliners party on Saturday.
The main stage will be hosted by Antonija Mandić, while the award ceremonies will be led by Lela Laković, Aljoša Bagola, and Ida Prester.
With time running out, all interested participants can find more information on the festival’s official website.
