“La Cope does not give up more traveling companions” after its association agreement with Vocento

The president and CEO of Cope, Fernando Giménez Barriocanal, assures at the New Communication Forum that the company has “the door open” to “new traveling companions” after its association agreement with Vocento.

The president and CEO of Cope, Fernando Giménez Barriocanal, assured this Friday in the New Communication Forum that his company has reached an association agreement with Vocento on ABC Punto Radio, but “has the door open” to new “travel companions,” because it is “time to add.”

During a conference he gave in the aforementioned debate forum, organized in Madrid by Nueva Economía Fórum, Barriocanal stated that he is not in favor of “exclusivities of any kind.” La Cope has joined forces with Vocento for Punto Radio, he assured, but wants to continue to have on its antenna those responsible for other groups who are now talk shows and, business-wise, “is willing to walk together” with other partners who are willing to do so.

Regarding the alliance with Vocento, Giménez Barriocanal confessed that it is “an agreement that has been highly pursued for years and that only now has it found its proper accommodation.”

“It is an agreement that does not go against anyone and that, respecting the business structure and the independence of both, will contribute to the promotion of values ​​that are specific to both companies,” he remarked.

According to the first executive of Cope, the new network that emerged from the integration of its network and Punto Radio comes to respond to the “serious coverage problem” that Cope had until now, thanks to the addition of the Punto Radio posts.

He indicated that the new network will be a reality as soon as they receive the approval of the National Competition Commission, and regarding the news, he said that they are looking for a formula so that the new business marriage is well visualized, beyond its name.

In the economic field, he was convinced that it will be an association that will give very positive returns to both parties, which he hoped will exceed some figures published in this regard in recent weeks.

An “enviable” box

Regarding the situation of Cope's cash, he was proud that in the last two years “the financial health of the company” has been ensured. “Cope has an enviable situation, without bank debt and with a real possibility of undertaking new projects, thanks to the incorporation of some new shareholders,” added Barriocanal, who also highlighted that his channel has never asked for money from the Episcopal Conference and hopes that it will not have to do so in the future.

In addition, he boasted that under his mandate, total spending has been “rationalized” and human resources spending, “with agreements that have limited the departure of personnel, because, as far as I know, until now we have not made any ERE.”

Regarding programming, he said that “it has gone from the radio of the stars to the radio of the listeners.” Now “we are a friendly sound, critical when it has to be, that contributes and does not destroy.”

“I walk as I walk”

The conference was attended by executives from several communication groups, including Unidad Editorial and Vocento, who were asked for their opinion in the subsequent discussion on the offer of new traveling companions held by Barriocanal.

By Unidad Editorial, its president, Antonio Fernández-Galiano, was asked specifically about a possible alliance with Vocento, and said that his company is always willing to share “common projects if they can generate value,” but “it is too premature to say anything concrete.”

From Vocento, its president, Enrique de Ybarra, stated that, beyond the association agreement with Cope, his group is now involved in “an efficiency and adjustment plan” and that is what it is focused on. “But the future is a path that is made by walking and God will provide,” he added.