In Špica with Macan, we reveal people who have something to say about life topics

More than 300 thousand viewers per episode, which can be compared to national television, follow ‘Špica with Macan’ , the podcast of communication consultant and fresh newsfluencer Krešimir Macan. Every Saturday at 10 AM, he dissects the most current topics, whether it is about politics, mental health, music, or environmental protection. Although he has years of public speaking experience, for Macan, recording the podcast was still an exit from his comfort zone.

He usually is the one being questioned, he says, but in ‘Špica with Macan’, his role is to moderate the conversation between two opposing sides or those coming from completely different experiences. He reveals that with an excellent production team and suggestions from colleague editor Neven Kepeski, they have been recording for pleasure from day one and choosing topics that genuinely interest both them and the audience.

How do you choose guests and topics?

– We select guests based on their expertise and strive to host as many individuals who are not in the media daily but bring experience and a different perspective on the topic. The goal is a reasoned, educational discussion that opens space for new perspectives. This has proven to be an effective recipe, both for our viewership and for the visibility of our interlocutors. Guest appearances in ‘Špica’ are increasingly becoming a reference; people receive business calls, media inquiries, or are simply perceived differently by the audience because they have seen them as they are, not through clips or statements taken out of context. The topics arise from everyday work, everything we would also like to know more about in life.

Croatia often has a problem with trust – in institutions, but also in individuals. Do you think that such conversations can change the narrative?

– Every Saturday, we show that it is possible to ‘bring together’ opposing sides and conduct a civilized, reasoned conversation about delicate topics. The audience appreciates a relaxed, educational format without sensationalism, and the statistics of ‘Špica’ show that our discussions remain on complex topics. No less important, platforms like YouTube and Spotify are also search engines and libraries, so our topics and interlocutors remain permanently available on them – we have that lasting effect and visibility.

You are publicly recognized as a political commentator. How much does that reputation make it difficult for the audience to perceive you in the podcast outside of a political context?

– I am always for complete transparency, so ‘Špica with Macan’, if recorded for a client, is clearly marked or broadcast as ‘Špica special’ – a shorter format we introduced during local elections. In practice, only a small part of the episodes is directly related to politics – maybe a third, although politics often naturally weaves through the topics we cover, and it is a fact that it is highly viewed. Our focus is broader: we talk about the economy, society, health, and all topics that shape everyday life.

Along with the aforementioned digital channels, you decided to broadcast on as many as nine local television stations – how common is that business move today?

– Shortly after the start of broadcasting ‘Špica’ in 2023, local television stations showed interest in collaboration because the production was top-notch and the content interesting. This has proven excellent for additional reach – we reach an audience that is not online, but wants to hear serious discussions and interlocutors who are not so present in the public space.

After the TV part of ‘Špica’ ends, a continuation is broadcast on social media, where viewers have the opportunity to get to know a more relaxed side of our guests. Additionally, the podcast is read on Saturdays in regional media – Novi list, Glas Slavonije, Glas Istre, and Zadarski list.

I believe we have created a unique platform for dialogue and the discovery of new, smart, and authentic people who have already proven through their work that they can change things, but the public space has not yet given them the opportunity to be recognized and positioned as relevant interlocutors.

Content created in collaboration with Manjgura.