5 Things You’ll Learn in Just 5 Minutes
- How companies can strategically anticipate leaks in the M&A process
- The influence media relations can have on narrative control
- Why success or failure often depends on a clear communication strategy
- How preparation and role clarity save time and energy
- How reflection and dialogue can provide long-term strategic benefit
A leak in the M&A process is not unusual – but it is manageable
Leaks in mergers and acquisitions pose a significant risk to all concerned. They can derail negotiations and damage the company’s reputation. For small and medium-sized businesses without specialist IR or communication teams, such a leak has the potential to get out of hand.
That is why it is important to have a prudent and foresightful media approach in any M&A transaction. We outline below significant steps that allow you to manage leaks well as part of an integrated M&A communications approach.
- Preventive Planning throughout the M&A Process
Companies ought to set up scenarios even before a transaction begins, so they can respond quickly and adequately in the event of a leak.
What to pay attention to:
- Develop realistic leakage scenarios
- Establish clear roles for crisis management
- Keep public-statements, press releases and Q&A manuals in advance
- Rapid Analysis and Crisis Management
When a leak is detected, instant action is required. Therefore, companies must immediately analyse the following:
- What information has been leaked?
- Where did the leak occur?
- What harm can it cause?
A communications team should be dedicated to help keep a consistent message both inside and outside.
- Anticipatory Communication During M&A
Communication has to be based on two principles: speed and openness – especially in case of a leakage. Therefore, it is advisable to issue a statement promptly after carefully assessing the situation. A public statement has to follow fast enough in order to take control of the story and stop speculation from getting out of hand. When you make such a statement, keep two things in mind:
- Create openness – but avoid disclosure of operations details
- Limit information carefully – enough to reduce uncertainty, but no more than necessary
- Avoid antagonizing others: Be friendly and diplomatic toward both the media and third parties, even if you perceive certain aspects as unfair or inappropriate.
- Strategic Media Engagement During M&A
Building long-term relations with the media is invaluable in times of crisis. Those who maintain regular contact with relevant journalists have a better chance of helping to shape public perception in the company’s favor.
Practical strategies that prove most effective are:
- Giving background interviews on M&A topics
- Releasing specially targeted briefings before a transaction
- Having clear media contacts with adequate messaging experience
- Sustainability and Reflection
Crisis management doesn’t end when the headlines fade. How a leak is handled should always be documented and reviewed in order to be better prepared next time.
Significant steps to do so:
- Lessons learned – What worked, and what didn’t?
- Adjust communication processes based on experience
- Open lines of communication with stakeholders to repair and reaffirm trust
You can check whether your communication strategy is prepared for leakage scenarios by asking the following questions.
- Have you identified who will be the main speaker in a crisis?
- Do you have pre-prepared communication modules for M&A-Leakage cases?
- Is your media outreach approach clearly outlined?
- Are you familiar with your primary journalistic multipliers for sensitive reporting?
If you can’t answer “yes” to all of these confidently, reach out to us through our contact form — we can help.
An overview of all the services we offer to support the success of your M&A transaction can be found in our M&A factsheet.
