The SEMPL conference, the leading platform for media and communication trends in the Adriatic region, hosted more than eight hundred experts from the media and marketing industry in Portorož. The program, packed with star speakers from all over Europe, impressed with an insight into the latest trends shaping the future of media, advertising and communications.
Outstanding names on the SEMPL stage
This year’s conference marked many notable performances:
Sasha Savić, a renowned director and consultant in the advertising industry who has been working in the USA for three decades and heads the MediaCom media agency, spoke, among other things, about the impact of artificial intelligence on the transformation of agency models and media campaign planning. He gave the participants some concrete advice on what is important to achieve success: “You have to surround yourself with the right people. Find talented individuals who have a wide range of skills and abilities. The right people create innovative and transformative ideas that will make clients want to work with your agency. When you have such transformative ideas, it is also the best way to achieve transformative results. So don’t wait too long and make sure you have the best people around you to provide you with great, surprising and transformative ideas that will deliver transformative results.”
Stella Litou, chief executive officer of Pro Plus and RTL Croatia, talked about innovations in the creation of local television stories that reshape the media landscape and changes in the habits of viewers who are no longer used to sitting in front of a television screen.
Richard Colwell, CEO of Irish research firm RED C Research, presented ground-breaking research proving that television is still the most powerful medium when it comes to attracting and retaining people’s attention.
Pavel Stantchev, executive director of the media group TV2 and Planet TV, spoke about how Planet TV has positioned itself on the Slovenian media market so far and what tactics it uses as an eternal challenger on the market.
Gizem Ozturk, Global Director of TBWA\Worldwide, revealed innovative methods to strengthen the global connectivity of agencies in the network through customized training programs. “When we design our programs in different cities or countries, we make sure that the unique elements of each culture are included in the learning. I believe in designing programs that offer unique, comprehensive experiences that allow participants to fully engage in the learning content and the culture that surrounds them,” she pointed out.
Nebojša Mandrapa, a personal brand expert, presented Novak Djokovic’s personal brand development strategies, including crisis management and charity initiatives. “A successful brand is always evolving, it is not something cemented, so it is not surprising if it changes its roles in the community,” he summarized.
Among the more interesting guests was Angelina Komarova, producer of the 3rd and 4th seasons of the Netflix series Emily in Paris, who in a conversation with actor Domen Valič revealed behind the scenes of the creation of this global phenomenon and cooperation with brands.
Maja Kremić, director of the Novak Djoković Foundation, spoke on the panel moderated by Ana Radišić about the foundation’s belief that every child deserves a happy, rich childhood, because these early experiences shape him into a responsible and empowered adult.
Melissa Duhalde, a French expert in beauty marketing, at the end of SEMPL spoke about the importance of diversity and inclusion in modern advertising campaigns, based on her experience with companies like L’Oréal and Shiseido.
Interactive workshops and networking
In addition to inspiring lectures, SEMPL also offered a series of practical workshops where participants explored new approaches to planning campaigns and strategies,as well as the impact of information overload on society and cognitive processes.
Social highlights and awarding of the Sempler award
Unforgettable gatherings and parties created an atmosphere for socializing and exchanging ideas. The highlight of the event was the awarding of the Sempler awards, which highlight the best media strategies in the region.
You can see this year’s winners https://sempl.si/competition/awards
SEMPL once again confirmed why it is considered the central event in the region in the field of media and marketing. The organizers are already predicting that next year will bring even more high-quality content. The date of the next SEMPL is already known; it will be November 27 and 28, 2025.
More information about this year’s events is available on the website www.sempl.si