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M&A quick-start guide

The role strategic comms plays in successful M&A

HQ and Gladius Communications gleaned insights from 100+ transactions — and compiled the insights and comms strategies that smoothed transitions

M&A is ready for a strong comeback

After a slow start to 2024’s transactions — but a strong showing for transaction size — dealmakers are feeling bullish, according to KPMG. 

  • More than 50% of dealmakers expect more corporate and private transactions year-over-year.
  • Nearly 75% believe 2026 will be even more active still.

The big picture: M&A may be a strategic growth lever, but 70%–90% of all deals fail to reach their goals post-close.

  • The most common issue: lack of alignment and communication. 
  • A clear answer: bring comms in sooner to safeguard your investment.

Whether you are a corporate development exec approaching a transaction or a communicator looking to get involved in deals, we want to be your partner in keeping communicators embedded at the highest levels of decision-making and to magnify the growth your organization can see. 

👉 Download the full report.

A preview of what's inside

In the early stages of a transaction, knowable risks can get overlooked. By the time teams hit integration, misaligned means culture clashes and breakdowns in employee trust. Comms leaders can avoid both.

Non-financial risk

How comms can ID and avoid non-financial risks

Communicators can play an important role in gathering and analyzing the reputational impact of merging with or acquiring an organization. The sooner you unearth intel — good or bad — and develop a point of view on the impact to your brand and what your post-close story will be, the sooner you can validate a good idea or rule out a weak one.

→ PLUS: A free landscape analysis example
Buy-in

How comms can build stakeholder buy-in

Communicators are a deal's editor-in-chief. Unearthing each stakeholder group’s needs, concerns, ideas, and perceived priorities — from business opportunities to team retention — will help crystallize the team’s decision about this deal and begin to inform the story you tell staff and stakeholders once you can.

→ PLUS: A free "Know, Feel, Do" comms template
Integration

How comms can prepare for team integration

Proactive, honest, and authentic communications will help acknowledge the change, care for your people, and dial down the day-to-day disruption people are bound to feel in any transaction, whether they’re being brought in, spun off, or even staying exactly where they are. Establishing a clear communication cadence to keep stakeholders informed is key.

→ PLUS: A free stakeholder analysis template
Value

How comms can accelerate success and build value

Engaging each stakeholder group, in each organization, with proactive communication helps leaders stay ahead of concerns and keep an expanding workforce feeling supported, understood, and well taken care of through what will be a disruptive event. It also sets a precedent that the combined organization will listen to staff and communicate transparently.

→ PLUS: A free post-close comms checklist example

Get the full report today

In collaboration with Axios HQ, Gladius Communication analyzed more than 100 M&A transactions where it supported an organization’s process and communication strategy. The outcome: a set of best and common practices for how communication leaders — in-house or external — can make any transaction smoother and more likely to be successful.  

Who we are:

  • Axios HQ is an internal communication platform powered by Smart Brevity® — a data-backed communications formula. Rooted in years of research, Axios HQ’s tools, templates, and AI make it possible for any communicator to distill vital information in less time, and deliver it to staff inboxes. 

  • Gladius Communication is a boutique strategic advisory firm of senior communicators with leadership experience at global multi-market companies. They apply strategic internal and external communications as a catalyst for stronger business results, more engaged employees, and operational improvement for organizations navigating transitions, transformations, and transactions. 

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Level up your internal comms

Axios HQ has all the tools, templates, and data you need to launch — and track — high-impact internal communications.

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