Golden Drum Festival announces first speakers

Golden Drum Festival is returning to its roots in the beautiful city of Portorož, Slovenia, where the first festival was held almost three decades ago. This year's event is promising everything from engaging and thought-provoking talks, to the best works being awarded during the Awards Show. There will be ample opportunities for learning, networking, and partying between 9 and 10 October 2023.

Experience the festival

A Nostalgic Homecoming: Live between 9 and 10 October in Portorož, Slovenia

The Complete Pass offers an all-encompassing journey through the festival. It includes a Warming up Party powered by Radio Capris on 9 October at News Café Bernardin, Portorož, setting the tone for immersion into the world of creative brilliance. On 10 October, attendees will gain access to the Festival's Sessions, which will be brimming with the latest trends and creative insights. The sessions will be graced by a line-up of exceptional speakers whose expertise spans various facets of the industry. The highlight of the festival will witness the much-anticipated Awards Show powered by Mastercard with the Golden Star Party powered by HitRadio Center at Caffe Teater, Piran, offering a chance to celebrate creativity while networking in a vibrant atmosphere.

Preliminary Program revealed

The Golden Drum stage will host Head of Creative Strategy at Netflix, EMEA, Dániel Kabai, who will tell stories about stories by going through engaging artwork and videos which help members to discover content they will love on Netflix.

Rob Chalmers, Chief Experience Officer at Dentsu Creative, EMEA, is set to delve into the realm of experience in an era of exponential change. He will explain how our current landscape is propelled by forces that consistently redefine the dynamic between individuals and brands.

Ashwini Deshpande, Co-Founder Director of Elephant Design from India and one of Impact Magazine’s 50 Most Influential Women in Media, will touch upon traditional concepts and their contemporary reflections within design in her region, presenting Plurality of Design in India.

Amy Rodgers, Head of Content at WARC Creative, UK, will reveal if the crisis in creative effectiveness persists. Amy will present the winning work and show us what’s working in the race for attention.

Barbara Evans, Managing Partner at Mediaplus Group from Germany, and Eva Bodecker Thunborg, Chief Executive Officer at Mediaplus Nordic from Sweden, will tackle the important topic of sustainability. During their session titled "Sustainability – let’s walk the talk!” they will underscore the significance of seizing opportunities to safeguard the future of our planet, even within the realm of the advertising industry.

The big AI debate will feature Elav Horwitz, Executive Vice President and Global Director of Applied Innovation at McCann Worldgroup and Catalin Dobre, Co-CEO and Chief Creative Officer at McCann Worldgroup Romania, Regional Creative Director At McCann CEE. .

Jerzy Hołub, Marketing Director at Mastercard Poland, Czech Republic and Slovakia and a recipient of this year’s Glass Lion for Change award is set to lead a captivating roundtable, brought to you by Mastercard.

Daniela Iebba, the Director of Communications for the Global Heineken Brand, and Mihnea Gheorghiu, the Chief Creative Officer of Le Pub Global will reveal the creative magic behind two times awarded »Brand of the Year« at Golden Drum, Heineken, in the talk titled 150 Years On – Navigating the Future of Socialising.

Golden Drum Entry Deadline extended until 1 September 2023

Golden Drum extends its deadline for competition until 1 September 2023 and admits all works that have been aired, published, or implemented for the first time between 16 August 2022 and 21 August 2023.

The festival presents a brand-new competition pillar Creative Media Excellence Drum section and with it, a new award for the best Media Agency of the Year. Newly added to the competition is also a Game Changer group intended for campaigns that challenge the traditional ways of advertising. This is the only group in the main competition that is open to entrants worldwide.

Agencies, advertisers, clients, design/production houses, media companies, and other creatives from 42 countries are invited to enter their works in six diverse sections: One-Channel Drum, Omni-Channel Drum, Craft Drum, Creative Media Excellence Drum, Creative Business Excellence Drum and a special All Juries Section.

Golden Drum festival is included in the WARC Creative Rankings.

Read more about Golden Drum Competition here: https://goldendrum.com/competition/groups-and-categories

Young Drummers Competition open until 12 September

Young creatives under 30 years old from all around the world have again the opportunity to put their skills to the test by participating in the Young Drummers Competition done each year in collaboration with the Slovenian Tourist Board.

This year’s brief titled “A date with a masterpiece” is searching for the best poster idea. The winner will receive a 1.000 EUR monetary prize and a free pass to attend the Golden Drum Festival.

More information about Young Drummers is available here: https://goldendrum.com/young-drummers