Sotogrande Is Changing: Local Media, AI, Community Growth & the Future of Grupo HCP

How is Sotogrande changing, and what role will local media, digital content and AI play in its future? This episode explores Sotogrande news, community life, Grupo HCP, El Periódico de Sotogrande, digitalisation and the changing way residents and businesses communicate.Charlie sits down with Curro Espinar, the new owner of Grupo HCP Sotogrande, to discuss the acquisition of one of the area’s best-known media groups and what comes next. They talk about preserving the value of print, growing Sotogrande Digital, balancing advertising with useful community content, how AI may change the way people discover local businesses, water and infrastructure concerns, the growth of Sotogrande as a year-round community, and why personal brands and podcasts are becoming increasingly important.00:00 Summer in Sotogrande and what has changed01:35 Heat, rainfall and Sotogrande’s water concerns03:54 Community responsibility as Sotogrande grows04:33 The acquisition of Grupo HCP06:24 How the deal came together07:09 From marketing agency to local media owner09:21 What should change — and what should be preserved12:06 Why print still matters in Sotogrande13:52 The three-year vision for the media group16:36 Free local media and the advertising model17:24 Branded content without losing community value19:15 Why good communication is about being understood21:33 AI and how people will discover restaurants and businesses23:14 Why premium print can still feel valuable25:33 AI, SEO and the future of Sotogrande Digital27:25 Curro turns the interview on Charlie28:28 Why Charlie built a personal brand around Sotogrande30:47 How the podcast became a community platform36:23 Future formats: panels, debates and Spanish episodes38:11 Could live community events be next?Grupo HCP has been part of Sotogrande’s media landscape for decades, with publications including El Periódico de Sotogrande, La Revista Sotogrande, Polo by La Bocha and Absolute Sotogrande. Its acquisition in 2026 marks a new phase focused on preserving the group’s established print presence while expanding its digital reach.That wider shift reflects something happening across Sotogrande itself: the community is becoming more active year-round, more international and more digitally connected, while still valuing the physical spaces, publications and institutions that create a sense of belonging. The challenge — and opportunity — is to modernise without losing the character that makes Sotogrande distinctive.MORE INFORMATIONGrupo HCP — Official websiteSotogrande Digital — Local news and publications8Directo — Campo de Gibraltar newsCONNECT WITH CHARLIE!📲 Mobile +34 607 911 661✉️ Email: connect@charlesgubbins.com🔗 Website: https://charlesgubbins.com/STAY CONNECTED!📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charlieinsotogrande/👤 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/charlieinsotogrande👨‍💻 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/charliegubbins🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nollsotogrande🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/charliegubbins📱 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@charlesgubbins