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Kristina Laco
Episode · #384

KULTURA KOMUNICIRANJA Kristina Laco

Guest Kristina LacoHosted by Boris ŽivkovićMay 3, 2026
About this episode
What you'll hear in this conversation

The pandemic years forced a global reckoning with how businesses communicate, but for Kristina Laco, director and partner at Colić, Laco i partneri, the crisis also served as an unexpected catalyst. She points out that the sudden shift made companies acutely aware of communication's essential role, transforming it from a support function into a recognized strategic imperative. The urgency of remote work and disrupted markets didn't just change channels; it reshaped how agencies and clients collaborated, pushing both to adapt at unprecedented speed. Kristina brings a deep perspective from the heart of Croatia's communication industry, where she has observed these shifts firsthand, both within her agency and through the broader lens of HURA, the national association for market communication agencies. Her insights offer a grounded view on what truly changed, what remained fundamental, and how the industry not only survived but, in many ways, became more vital. This conversation explores how agility became the ultimate currency, how creativity finds new ways to thrive despite distance, and why the core principles of good communication are more important than ever. You will walk away with a clearer understanding of how crisis can sharpen focus on what truly matters in connecting with people, whether they are employees, customers, or the wider public.

Insights from the conversation
What to take from this episode
01
The pandemic, despite its disruptions, was a net positive for the communication industry because it made companies realize the essential importance of communication. What seemed like a crisis ultimately elevated the function of communication from a support role to a strategic imperative.
02
While nothing can extinguish human creativity, the shift to remote work made it significantly harder to develop and nurture it within teams. The challenge isn't the absence of creativity, but finding new ways to foster its growth in distributed environments.
03
The Croatian Association of Communications Agencies (HURA) reported that its 54 member agencies maintained full employment through 2020 by acting quickly to support clients. Agencies that demonstrated agility and a willingness to help clients adapt deepened their partnerships, showing that genuine collaboration is a powerful stabilizer in times of crisis.
04
Kristina Laco insists that good communication has always been, and remains, a two-way exchange, not just the dissemination of information. The standards for quality communication haven't changed, but the channels and tools available for achieving that two-way dialogue have expanded.
05
The Croatian communication industry consistently earns international awards and operates at a standard comparable to the most developed countries. This global competitiveness is a point of pride, yet it exists alongside a societal challenge: a pervasive lack of accountability for public speech.
06
Integrated communication means leveraging every available channel and tool to reach a target audience, not replacing older methods with newer ones. New communication channels don't supersede their predecessors; they simply add more layers to a truly comprehensive and responsive approach.