Paul Bradbury Podcast #1 - Krešimir Macan

Independent since 1991, Croatia has had a colourful first 32 years in the modern era.
It is a period which coincides with the career of an equally colourful character, who has left an indelible mark on Croatia with over three decades of service, where he has been more often than not at the heart of the action.
From being called an idiot by President Tudjman for announcing the fall of Vukovar, to running the oldest existing PR company in the country, and a whole lot in between, Kresmir Macan is one of Croatia's top public speakers and raconteurs, with many a hidden anecdote that pops out.
I have known Kreso for almost a decade, and I have learned more from him than anyone else in the country. I am therefore delighted to welcome Kreso as my first guest on the new Paul Bradbury Podcast, taking a deeper dive into the fabulous world of Croatia.
In this episode, we take a look at Kreso's career, as well as the progress of Croatia over the last 30 years, with some excellent insider knowledge and analysis. Topics include the Siege of Dubrovnik and the Fall of Vukovar (and how those cities are faring today), dealing with the foreign media in time of war, peace and a brave new world, entering government, firstly in 2003 and then as Communications Director for current Prime Minister, Andrej Plenkovic, running that PR company, the story behind the award-winning Viber community during the COVID era, and a look at the progress Croatia has made.
The podcast comes with English subtitles - simply click on the CC box below the video.
You can connect with Kresmir Macan on LinkedIn / kresimirmacan
#CroatiaSince1991, #KresimirMacanLegacy, #PaulBradburyPodcastDebut, #InsiderInsightsCroatia, #SiegeOfDubrovnikAnalysis, #VukovarThroughTheYears, #ForeignMediaWarCoverage, #PeaceInCroatia, #BraveNewCroatia, #GovernmentRole2003, #PlenkovicCommunicationsDirector, #AwardWinningViberCommunity, #COVIDEraAchievements, #ProgressOfCroatia, #CroatianIndependenceAnniversary, #PaulBradburyInterviews, #CroatianPublicSpeakers, #Croatia32Years

[@jaimedelmonte01]

You made me loved going to Croatia… I just applied working there and hopefully to relocate there this year. Thanks Paul and more power to you ❤🙏

[@PaulBradbury]

Great decision - have fun.

[@TanjaVuPoems]

Love the Studio Paul! Well done and all the best with the podcast!👌☘️🍀

[@PaulBradbury]

Thanks! A new departure. Let's see.

[@spomenkakrizmanic3559]

Great (Rogan like) format and interesting insights arising from this extended conversation. Thanks for creating and sharing.

[@PaulBradbury]

Haha, you are very kind. More podcasts coming if you want to subscribe

[@hrvoje_bartolin]

Podcast is great for you. 🎉

[@PaulBradbury]

Thank you!

[@j.p.9295]

I like your choice of guest Krešimir Macan . He had a varied and interesting life in Croatia and succeded proffesionaly without being pompous or self praising in all of this . He is rare example of sucess without being uhljeb in Croatia . 😅 He used his instincts, talents and natural curiosity and many doors opened for him in his journey.

[@PaulBradbury]

He has certainly had a very interesting career and made his own luck. I have learned a lot from him about business and Croatia.

[@j.p.9295]

Turisam has changed over the last 30 years . People used to come to Dubrovnik and surrounding area to rest and rejuvenate. Stayed 7 - 10 days . Go for a day boat trip , visit surrounding islands for a day or some other organised day trips. Explore Dubrivnik and surrounding areas . Watch " Dubrovačke ljetne igre " or some other local programs. Nowadays is Dubrovnik 2 days , Montenegro next 2 days , than some other places 1 day . And so on . Rush rush rush . Just to tick boxes.. need a holiday to rest from holiday .

[@PaulBradbury]

Yes, and yet, all the things that were there 30 years ago still are, but people seem to be in too much of a hurry, and not that many see what lies beyond the walls of Dubrovnik.

[@silviah2302]

this is normal for people in the west. they want to explore , or participate in sport activities , stay active, not just sunbathe .

[@j.p.9295]

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​@@silviah2302So how do you know about what's normal for people in the west .? I live In the west so I don't really need to be told what people in the west are like . Croatians like to say "people in the west " like , you primitive Croatians need to learn from them. To learn what for example : how to sunbathe on a cruiser all day and then go to Dubrovnik for one hour . Very sporty . And you missed the point of what I was saying , anyway . I was talking about consumerism in tourism . Paul got it , but you didn't.

[@SuWoopSparrow]

I hope they continue to focus on quality tourism isnt of mass tourism. Mass tourism destroys charm and local environment - look at Venice and see how everything is crowded and unenjoyable with filthy canal water. Cruise ships are one of the worst things to allow to a city, as well.

[@silviah2302]

@j.p.9295 I guess I can only speak for the uk and how Croatia gets advertised here.

[@mattmckeon1688]

Adding my 2 euro cents: My wife has a very good friend from Gospić, and so I have made a few trips there over the past 15 years. The scars of the war and the sense of economic stasis is very noticeable there. It doesn't get commemorated as publicly as Vukovar, and there's a sense there that the city has been left behind economically. That said, the motorway has been a huge benefit, because it has brought the city within an hour and a half's drive to Zadar. The level of depopulation of Croatia's interior is very visible when you travel through it.

[@mattmckeon1688]

Also, on the Dubrovnik thing - If I was lucky enough to already own land or property there, I'm sure I'd be monetising it for all it's worth. But if I had a choice today of moving to my adopted "home" city of Šibenik or Dubrovnik to live, I'd take Šibenik in a heartbeat. Dubrovnik is stunning, but it's like part-museum, part-heritage site with souvenir shops.

[@PaulBradbury]

agree on both - Sibenik is the most underrated place on the coast in my opinion

[@ivanakaraman7673]

Are the subtitles generated automatically or by a human? I noticed the error in the word 'Pliva' many times and many others.Great topic and the choice of guest.

[@PaulBradbury]

by computer and then i am editing them. It is taking a lot longer than I thought, but will be fully edited by tonight

[@HladniSjeverniVjetar]

Well, interesting.... Nice format, finally doing long term talks. I think podcast format suits you.

[@PaulBradbury]

Thanks. Still figuring it out, but it feels comfortable and was a lot of fun. More coming...

[@damyankuzmic5605]

Imaš li kakav video na hrvatskom jeziku? 👌💯👍

[@PaulBradbury]

My TikTok has Croatian subtitles www.tiktok.com/@paulbradburycroatia

[@farles3486]

Молодец хорошо играешь. Удачи тебе с просмотрам и зрителями

[@krunoslavkovacec1842]

Suggestions for guests (very different people, you could speak about many topics): Ratko Martinović (a podcast legend) Tomislav Tomašević (Mayor of Zagreb) Zoran Milanović (if you can get him to come :) Vedran Strukar (PR, music critic (of sorts) Marko Jurič (journalist) Ivan Pernar ( doesn't need explanation) Aleksandar Stanković (journalist, has his own show on HRT for 20 years)

[@PaulBradbury]

Thanks, nice list

[@krunoslavkovacec1842]

@@PaulBradbury Hvala

[@miroslavpendelj9685]

Now we can see powerful and agresive balkanization to Croatia. Strongest than ever. Not more with tanks and guns, but in muslim musical melos. Brena, Prijović, Dino Merlin. If Croatia is Balkan because of Ćevapi and burek, than Germany is also Balkan because of - D'o'ner kebab, fallafel...

[@loujag3766]

Dudes, time for Ketogenic Diet. Yo Phat AF.

[@silviah2302]

I guess they should stop selling Game of Thrones memorabilia to stop people from coming just to see that

[@PaulBradbury]

It would be nice

[@damyankuzmic5605]

Ako Ti kao Voditelj znaš: engleski i hrvatski. I Gost ako zna: hrvatski i engleski. Možeš li Ti kao Voditelj postavljati pitanja na hrvatskom, a Gost odgovarati na engleskom? Ili obratno. Ti kao Voditelj postavljaš pitanja na engleskom, a Gost odgovara na hrvatskom? 👌💯👍

[@PaulBradbury]

Unfortunately not. The main audience of our website and channel is foreign - diaspora, tourists, expats, international media and institutions, few of whom speak Croatian.

[@miroslavpendelj9685]

I made mistake, Paul. Here you are not the guest! Anyway we must to stop immoral songs with muslim melody.

[@prodeopatria7139]

👎poor choice of guest...

[@percymonster1]

Why? Explain