Previously published on July 11, 2024 in
Comms lessons from the Paramount-Skydance merger
A shakeup began in the entertainment industry when earlier this week, after months of posturing and negotiation, Skydance and Paramount agreed to a merger.
According to a report from The New York Times, if the deal closes after a 45-day window in which Paramount can shop for a better deal, David Ellison, the mind behind Skydance’s tech-forward push, will take the reins at Paramount. While the exact ramifications of the changes in store for Paramount’s brand profile remain to be seen, it’s clear that adjustments are coming for the once-robust media empire that’s hit a bit of a lag lately.
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According to Ted Birkhahn, managing director at Vested, comms pros need to be proactive in their comms tactics to ensure that culture stays afloat, even when answers remain in limbo. That means talking to your employees early and often and using different touchpoints, including email and in-person meetings about what the process means for them.
“Too many companies retreat throughout the communications process out of fear of disrupting it, but silence is deafening during times of change, fueling rumors, speculations and fear,” Birkhahn said. “Conversely, proactively communicating signals that we still have a business to run as the M&A process unfolds, helping keep employees on track and focused on their core responsibilities.”
