With just over a month to go, NEM Zagreb has unveiled the full agenda for its fifth edition, set to take place on December 8–9. The event, already a cornerstone for TV professionals in the CEE region, is expanding its scope this year to include artificial intelligence and marketing as central pillars of discussion. This repositioning marks a strategic evolution for NEM Zagreb, aiming to address the converging forces shaping the future of the video industry.
This year’s programming features a hybrid of traditional TV topics and next-generation themes. Panels will explore regional production trends, the transformative impact of AI, shifts in advertising strategies across linear and digital platforms, the rise of vertical storytelling formats, and the global creative pressures facing content professionals. Highlights include discussions titled “CEE Producers: Reflections on the Last 5 Years,” “Leaders on AI: Opportunities and Challenges,” “Video Ads: Linear TV vs. TikTok, Meta and YouTube on TV,” “Original TV Series Formats and Adaptations,” “The Vertical Revolution: Micro-drama,” and “Creatives, It’s Not Only Hard in Your Country!”
The event will also feature a series of masterclasses and presentations that emphasize the intersection of technology and storytelling. Sami Arpa, founder and CEO of Largo.ai, will present “AI as the New Creative Partner in Video Creation,” offering insights into how AI is being used to assist with script development, audience testing, and predictive performance modeling. Neuromarketing expert Dalibor Šumiga will present “Inception: The Art of Planting Ideas,” diving into how psychological triggers shape consumer behavior.
Q&A sessions will include Emmy, Golden Globe, and BAFTA winner John Altman on his work composing music for over 4,000 commercials in “A Band for a Brand,” and Kenton Allen, CEO of Big Talk Studios, discussing the Emmy-nominated series “Ludwig.” Dariusz Jablonski will also discuss the return of his acclaimed crime series in “Glina: A New Chapter,” now co-produced with Apple Film Production, SkyShowtime, and TVP.
Industry trends and platform dynamics will be addressed through sessions like “From Broadcast to Algorithm: Why Every TV Station Needs a YouTube Strategy” by Aleksandar Ašković, and “Distribution Strategies When TV Meets YouTube” by Guy Bisson of Ampere Analysis. Both will analyze how traditional broadcasters are adapting to digital ecosystems and monetization challenges. Harmonics will present “Revolutionizing Streaming: AI & New Monetization Innovations,” while EIT Culture & Creativity will explore digital sovereignty and ethical AI ecosystems in “Europe’s Creative Sovereignty in the Age of AI.”
Regional insight will be offered by Lühr-Martin Lemkau of Slick Strategy with a presentation on audience behaviors in “Slick & Quick: How CEE Countries Differ on Netflix?” Croatian creativity will also take center stage in the sessions “Croatian Creativity with International Potential” and “Future Projects from Croatia,” hosted by HDNP and SPID. Josip Čajić from stYpe, an Emmy Award-winning virtual production company, will present “Real-Time Virtual Production by stYpe.”
Networking opportunities include a welcome drink hosted by A1 International Business, coffee breaks, a lunch sponsored by HAVC, and the annual NEM Zagreb Christmas Party sponsored by Pickbox.
NEM Zagreb 2025 positions itself not only as a regional hub for media professionals but also as a forward-thinking platform that tackles the challenges and opportunities reshaping the global video business. The full agenda is available on the official NEM Zagreb 2025 website.