Emerson

Mergers & Acquisitions in a 24-Hour News Environment

A successful M&A communications plan must start early, with a focus on what each key audience needs. So when Emerson saw the opportunity to capture a leading technology that could leverage its existing innovation and bring all-new management solutions to data centers, it brought FleishmanHillard to the table.

Emerson’s acquisition of Avocent was one of its largest deals ever — and presented challenges to investor and customer audiences in understanding not only the fit of a complex technology but the company’s vision for strategic growth with it. FleishmanHillard worked closely with Emerson’s management teams and with those of the acquired company, carefully coordinating timing to avoid leaks. And the teams worked together to promote consistent and up-to-date communications between many financial and legal advisers and others when developing and delivering the rollout plan, messages and all core materials.

The result: positive media and financial analyst coverage and a successful deal that has since become a vital new technology platform for Emerson.