VERN's alumni Nikola Grbin – from studying tourism and PR to the position of editor-in-chief of Bravacasae

After high school tourism, our now alumni, Nikola Grbin, first graduated from VERN's undergraduate program in Tourism, and then from the specialized graduate program in Business Communications Management.

Although after such a background one would expect a continuation of a business career in the tourism or PR sector, our Nikola ambitiously went in a slightly different direction - journalistic - and the recognition of his work in the past few months came in the form of two appointments, first to the position of deputy editor-in-chief of the most read and best-selling Croatian magazine Ljepota&Zdravlje, and then to the position of editor-in-chief of the respected licensed magazine, the domestic edition of Bravacasa. 

So, where did Nikola get into journalism? 

I have always shown an inclination towards the media, which is why I studied Business Communication Management. However, my path in journalism was quite interesting. I started at Radio Korčula, where I hosted two music shows a week, and then I opened a fashion blog as a hobby and became the first Croatian fashion blogger. When I say blogger, I mean that I wrote my own texts and reviews of collections, etc., and not photographed my own outfits . Since that segment was still in its infancy in Croatia at the time, the profession quickly recognized my work, and even Playboy magazine once declared me something like the most influential young person in Croatian fashion. Then I worked for two years at Novi list, where I followed fashion, and at the same time I studied at VERN'. 

You recently became the deputy editor-in-chief of the most read and best-selling Croatian magazine Ljepota&Zdravlje, and since two months ago, the editor-in-chief of the respected licensed magazine, the domestic edition of Bravacasa. How did the cooperation with these magazines come about and what are your plans?

Two years ago, the editor-in-chief of Ljepota&Zdravlje, Martina Požgaj, invited me to her team as an assistant. I must admit that at first it was not easy for me to switch from the daily press to the monthly one, but I had the full support and help of the editor-in-chief. I did this job until the 100th anniversary issue of the magazine, when I was appointed deputy editor-in-chief. Since both editions are under the umbrella of Mediatop International, I was offered the position of editor-in-chief of Bravacasae.

I would like to point out that in journalism it is necessary to be able to think "out of the box", but to be moderate in this (depending on the publication you work for), but also to know that the licensing of publications does not tolerate any changes and that they stick to a well-established work pattern. Namely, these publications can tolerate some small changes, but in each country they have their own set pattern according to which they have to work and which ultimately brings profit. And that is why I am glad that the new redesigned cover of Bravacasae happened exactly when I became the editor-in-chief. Somehow, it is as if a new beginning happened exactly when I took over the issue. My wish is to introduce more domestic content and domestic works into that magazine and I hope I will succeed in that. 

However, in addition to the press, you are also active on digital channels, so Mediatoolkit included you on its list of "Influential People of the Regional Internet" as an influencer in the fashion and cosmetics segment.

Iskreno, nisam niti znao da sam na tom popisu, sve do sada. Odmah sam išao provjeriti i mogu reći da, s obzirom na sva imena koja se tamo nalaze, čast mi je biti na tom popisu. Taj digitalni izričaj mi je zasad samo hobi, kroz koji sam uspio ostvariti i nekoliko suradnji s lifestyle i sportskim brendovima, poput primjerice Nikea. 

We wish Nikola much success in his further business challenges!