Vocento

Vocento, S.A. is a prominent Spanish multimedia communications group that was formally established in September 2001 following the merger of Grupo Correo and Prensa Española. The group's historical roots, however, extend back to the 19th and early 20th centuries with the founding of newspapers that now form its core, such as El Norte de Castilla in 1854 and El Pueblo Vasco in 1910 by the Ybarra family. The merger of El Pueblo Vasco with El Correo Español in 1938 laid the groundwork for what would become one of Spain's major media conglomerates. Since November 2006, Vocento has been a publicly traded company on the Spanish stock market.

The company operates as a diversified media entity with a business model centered on generating revenue from information, advertising, and entertainment. Its primary market is Spain, where it holds a significant position in the regional press. The business model relies on several streams, including newspaper sales, digital subscriptions, advertising revenue across its platforms, and diversification into new business areas like gastronomy and events. Vocento generates income through its extensive portfolio of media assets, which includes national and regional newspapers, supplements, magazines, and digital platforms. The company serves a broad audience, from general news readers to clients seeking advertising solutions and specialized content.

Vocento’s core operation is its press division, which boasts the national newspaper ABC and a strong collection of over a dozen regional newspapers, including El Correo, El Diario Vasco, and Diario Sur. This makes it a leader in the Spanish print press market. Beyond print, the group has a substantial digital presence, having undertaken large-scale digital transformation projects to enhance user experience and drive online subscriptions. The company also operates in the audiovisual sector, holding a digital terrestrial television license through Net TV. It has expanded into classified advertising markets and other ventures such as gastronomy and event organization through Vocento Eventos. A recent strategic focus has been on digital transformation and diversification, including the development of new digital products and services, sometimes in partnership with technology firms to create AI-driven solutions.

Keywords: Spanish media group, regional newspapers, digital media, press, advertising, communications, ABC newspaper, El Correo, public company, media conglomerate, digital transformation, journalism, audiovisual media, print media, content services, media assets, information services, shareholder value, corporate communications, media investment