Strategic Communications
for High-Stakes
Transitions
The STAKES
70% of M&A transactions underdeliver.¹
The #1 reason isn't financial. It's human.
Deals close in spreadsheets. They succeed or fail in the way the story is told. We work with deal teams, investors, and portfolio company leaders to protect value through the transitions that matter most.
Acquisitions
Recapitalizations
Portfolio Integrations
New Leadership
Deal teams invest months in financial and legal diligence. Communications and culture get days, if they get anything at all. The result: misaligned messaging, confused employees, departing talent, and an integration that burns value instead of building it. A third of acquired workers leave within the first year. The effect can be even stronger with key employees.²
We make sure the narrative is right across every stakeholder at every phase of the deal, so the value you modeled actually gets captured.
WHAT WE DO
A Steady Beat for All Stakeholders
Narrative DesigN & Messaging Strategy
We build the deal narrative — for your board, investors, employees, customers, and the market. Stakeholder-specific messaging that protects value and keeps every audience aligned from day one.
Messaging stress tests before the announcement. Cultural integration playbooks after close. We embed alongside your deal team and internal comms to cover the gaps that slip between legal and HR.
Rebranding & repositioning
When portfolio companies merge, identities collide. We've led the process from naming through launch — uniting teams, protecting culture, and accelerating the path to enterprise value.
leadership & change communications
New leadership? New investors? New direction? We help leadership teams and their comms partners communicate with clarity and confidence, keeping all stakeholders on the beat.
OUR POV
In music, the kick and snare are the foundation...The pulse that makes people move and the beat that holds everything together.
Communication works the same way during a deal. The right narrative grabs attention, sets the tone, and drives momentum. The wrong one (or worse, silence) lets uncertainty erode the value you worked to create.
We work alongside deal teams, operating partners, and internal comms leaders — not to replace anyone, but to make sure the story holds up under pressure.
Get the rhythm right and people move with you.
THE WORK
Sustained Growth Through Continuous Transition
Over four years, Equativ (formerly Smart AdServer) acquired three companies and completed recapitalizations with two new PE firms. We had a lot of comms work to do...
Three Acquisitions.
Two Recapitalizations.
One Steady Beat.
Uniting 3 Brands Under a New Identity
Led the full rebrand of Smart AdServer, DynAdmic, and LiquidM into Equativ. Zero talent disruption. Recapitalization closed 7 months later. Valuation: €37M → €300M+.
Positioning an AI Music Platform for 2 Distinct Markets
Shaped the communications strategy and market positioning for a fast-growing AI-powered music technology company serving artists, producers, and developers.
"During his six years as our Chief Marketing Officer, Michael served as a trusted advisor, offering me the honest guidance and clarity I needed as a CEO. He handled sensitive issues with great insight, ensuring that our internal and external communications were well-aligned with our overall strategy. Michael was a wise and steady partner throughout a period of intense rapid growth."
Arnaud Créput, CEO Equativ (formerly Smart Adserver)
Let's talk before
the deal closes.
Whether you're advising on a transaction, leading an integration, or managing communications through a major change, a 30-minute conversation is the right first step.