![\"Golden](\"https:\/\/manjgura.hr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/GD_Competition_deadline_extended_NL_600x300-1024x512.jpg\")
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The creative community will again gather in Portoro\u017e, Slovenia, from 12 to 13 October, to learn, connect and celebrate the very best of creativity.<\/p>\n
Entries compete across six sections: One-Channel Drum<\/a>, Omni-Channel Drum<\/a>, Craft Drum<\/a>, Creative Media Excellence Drum<\/a>, Creative Business Excellence Drum<\/a> and a special All Juries<\/a> Section. The Game Changer group <\/strong>remains the only competition group open to entries worldwide<\/strong>.<\/p>\n New this year is the UNFPA Inclusion Excellence Award<\/a>, presented by Golden Drum in partnership with UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund<\/a>. Part of the All Juries Section, the award celebrates creative work that challenges stereotypes and advances gender equality and social inclusion.<\/p>\n This year\u2019s programme will explore some of the biggest questions shaping creativity today \u2013 from AI, technology and the future of media to craft, creative effectiveness and the power of ideas born in smaller markets.<\/p>\n Xavier Blais<\/strong><\/a>, Partner and Executive Creative Director at Rethink, will remind the industry of something increasingly important in the age of AI: the power of actually making things<\/strong>. One of the youngest partners in Rethink\u2019s history, Blais has created internationally recognised work for brands including IKEA, Heinz and Molson Coors.<\/p>\n Islam ElDessouky<\/strong><\/a>, Global Creative Excellence Lead at The Coca-Cola Company, will bring insights from one of the world\u2019s most iconic brands<\/strong>, drawing on his experience across global platforms and collaborations including Coca-Cola \u00d7 FIFA 2026.<\/p>\n Emma Follett<\/strong><\/a>, Co-Chief Creative Officer at Design Bridge and Partners, will explore the relationship between Head, Heart and Hands, demonstrating why exceptional craft remains essential to creating brands with lasting cultural impact<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Mihnea Gheorghiu<\/strong><\/a>, Global Chief Creative Officer of LePub Network and the newest member of the Golden Drum Hall of Fame<\/a>, will also take the Golden Drum stage as part of this year\u2019s programme. Drawing on his extensive international career and award-winning creative work<\/strong>, he will bring his perspective on creativity and the industry to Portoro\u017e.<\/p>\n Fitz Maro<\/strong><\/a>, Head of the Americas, Design Technology at Brand Innovation Lab, Amazon Ads, will put technology in the spotlight and explore how creatives can build their own AI-powered \u201csecond brain\u201d<\/strong>, allowing technology to handle repetitive work while leaving more room for creative thinking.<\/p>\n Marko Jovanovi\u0107<\/strong><\/a>, Creative Director at Havas Adriatic, will look towards The Future of Media Creativity, exploring how people, platforms and technologies are reshaping media<\/strong> and opening new possibilities for creative ideas.<\/p>\n And sometimes, the best technology is still a pencil<\/strong>. Dirk Schuster<\/strong><\/a> and Benjamin Simon<\/strong><\/a>, Co-Founders and Creative Directors of FOREAL, will reveal how a pen, a piece of paper and even a seemingly stupid idea can lead to unexpected creative breakthroughs.<\/p>\n David Guerrero<\/strong><\/a>, Creative Chair of BBDO Guerrero and member of the BBDO Worldwide Creative Council, will show how ideas rooted in local culture can travel far beyond their borders<\/strong>. Drawing on decades of internationally awarded work, he will explore how creativity from smaller markets can make an impact on the global stage.<\/p>\n Carl Ewald Jannerfeldt<\/strong><\/a>, Creative Director of Rocket\u2014Science, will turn attention to one of advertising\u2019s most powerful, and often overlooked, creative opportunities: the product itself. Drawing on experience from agencies including BBDO New York, Wieden+Kennedy and R\/GA, he will challenge creatives to push their ideas beyond communication<\/strong> and into the products people actually use.<\/p>\n Katrina Stirton Dodd<\/strong><\/a>, Trends Editor at Contagious, will bring a sharp eye to the cultural, technological and marketing shifts shaping the industry<\/strong>. Spending her days identifying what is changing and what actually matters, she will help audiences navigate emerging trends and what they mean for brands and creativity.<\/p>\n The Young Drummers Competition<\/a>, organised in partnership with Mastercard Slovenia<\/a>, is open to<\/strong> creatives under 30 from around the world<\/strong>. Take on this year\u2019s challenge, \u201cWorld. One Tap Away.\u201d<\/strong>, and submit your idea by 9 September<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The winner will receive a EUR 1,000 monetary prize and a complimentary delegate pass to the Golden Drum Festival<\/strong>, while all shortlisted authors will also receive a complimentary delegate pass.<\/p>\n Golden Drum will begin on 12 October with the Drum Roll: The Opening Party<\/strong>, followed by a full day of inspiring sessions on 13 October. The festival will culminate with the Golden Drum Awards Show,<\/strong> where this year\u2019s best work will take the spotlight, followed by the Golden Sunset Party<\/strong> in Piran.<\/p>\n Delegate passes<\/a> are already available for those wishing to experience this year\u2019s programme, meet creative professionals from around the world and join the celebrations crowning in the Golden Drum Awards Show.<\/p>\n Join the creative community from 12 to 13 October 2026 in Portoro\u017e, Slovenia<\/strong> and seize this golden opportunity to gain the well-deserved recognition and celebrate with the best!<\/p>\n For every 10 entries submitted<\/strong>, the entrant receives one complimentary delegate pass<\/strong> (excluding lunch) to attend the Golden Drum Festival.<\/p>\n All Ukrainian entrants<\/strong> are entitled to a 50% discount on entry fees.<\/p>\n More about Entry Fees see here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Golden Drum in collaboration with regional Associations<\/strong> offers a 20% discount on delegate fee for<\/p>\n their members. See here<\/a> the list of Associations the festival is partnering with.<\/p>\n All delegates<\/strong> can now secure their passes to the upcoming edition of the Golden Drum Festival, an inspiring event that will once again bring together creative minds, showcase thought-provoking talks, offer valuable networking opportunities, and celebrate creativity in all its forms.<\/p>\n See the full price list here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Extended Deadline for Entry Submission<\/strong>: 8 September 2026 at 23.59 ECT<\/p>\n Deadline for Young Drummers Competition<\/strong>: 9 September 2026 at 23.59 CET<\/p>\n Golden Drum Shortlist Announced<\/strong>: 29 September 2026<\/p>\n Bronze and Silver Drum Awards Announcement (during Daily Program):<\/strong> 13 October 2026<\/p>\n Golden Drum Awards Show \u2013 Winners Announced<\/strong>: 13 October 2026 at 20.00 CET<\/p>\n Groups and Categories<\/strong>: https:\/\/goldendrum.com\/competition\/groups-and-categories<\/a><\/p>\n Golden Drum Juries<\/strong>: https:\/\/goldendrum.com\/competition\/juries<\/a><\/p>\n Entry System<\/strong>: https:\/\/engine.goldendrum.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n Entry Fees<\/strong>: https:\/\/goldendrum.com\/competition\/competition-fees-payment\/one-channel-drum-prices<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n MEDIA MATERIALS<\/strong><\/p>\n Download images: https:\/\/goldendrum.com\/press\/media-materials<\/a><\/p>\n Additional information: <\/strong><\/p>\n E: press@goldendrum.com<\/a><\/p>\n T: + 386 1 439 60 50<\/p>\n Social media:<\/strong><\/p>\n Instagram: https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/goldendrum\/<\/a><\/p>\n LinkedIn: https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/golden-drum-international-festival-of-creativity\/<\/a><\/p>\n Facebook: https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/GoldenDrumFestival\/<\/a><\/p>\nPROGRAM: GLOBAL CREATIVE LEADERS ON WHAT\u2019S NEXT<\/strong><\/h3>\n
CALLING ALL YOUNG CREATIVES \u2013 ENTER THE YOUNG DRUMMERS COMPETITION<\/strong><\/h3>\n
GET INSPIRED IN PORTORO\u017d<\/strong><\/h3>\n
ENTRY FEES<\/strong><\/h3>\n
DELEGATE FEES<\/strong><\/h3>\n
KEY COMPETITION INFORMATION<\/strong><\/h3>\n