Creative Stories 2026 unveils seminar program

Ukrainian Creative Stories 2026 (UCS) — a key event for professionals in Ukraine’s advertising and communications market — will take place in Kyiv on 28–29 May. Over two days, the industry will discuss creativity, branding, design, marketing transformations, AI, media and the future of communications.

This year’s UCS slogan — Metal Forever — is reflected in the theme of the seminar programme. About ideas that stand the test of time. About creativity that cuts through the information noise. And about communications that shape culture, not just a news feed.

UCS 2026 will bring together over 40 experts from the advertising and communications industry — representatives of leading agencies, brands, media and creative teams.

28 May

Smells like Cannes spirit: how to create ideas that win awards

On the first day, we’ll discuss how to create work that wins awards, gets audience likes, and will still sound cool 50 years from now. And whether that’s even possible. 

Speakers will discuss creative effectiveness, AI in communications, new approaches to creating meaning, brands in a cultural context, how to stand out in a world of information noise, and how agencies attract new talent and develop their teams. A separate section of the program will be dedicated to military advertising. 

The day’s programme will be moderated by Iryna Mushtina, founder of CF Digital. 

On the evening of 28 May, the ADC*UA Awards, Ukrainian Design: The Very Best Of, CRAVE Awards and Brave Awards ceremonies will take place.

29 May

Marketing Rhapsody: how marketing communications are changing

The second day of the seminar program will be dedicated to the changes taking place in Ukrainian marketing communications. We will also discuss the future.

Speakers will discuss the transformation of marketing communications, the creator economy, AI analytics, influencer marketing and new content formats. The focus will be on case studies where creativity becomes a business solution, communications go beyond advertising, and brands build new ways of engaging with their audience through content, design, media and technology. 

The program for the day will be moderated by Natalia Boronina, CEO of Vivid. 

On the evening of 29 May, the awards ceremony for the winners of the 27th Kyiv International Advertising Festival will take place.

Ukrainian Creative Stories 2026 is a space for insights, case studies and professional discussions, as well as a meeting place for the entire Ukrainian advertising ecosystem: agencies, brands, media, production companies, marketers and creatives. 

The seminar program has already been published and will be updated with further details and announcements.

Tickets for 28–29 May are now available on the creative-stories.com.ua platform.

For any queries regarding booking tickets for the event, please contact the organising committee: project@vrk.org.ua, Olga.

We encourage the advertising community to join Ukrainian Creative Stories 2026!