I read your post with interest. While I think you make many fine points, my experience with the merger of two large biotechs five years ago proves that power in the executive suite trumps all attempts at communicating the positive attributes of the new, re-branded company, especially internally.

In my particular experience the larger company prevailed, i.e., crushed, the smaller company and drove most of the productive senior and middle managers out of the company. I stayed on in my position as Director of Corp. Comm. for another year, but I was told in so many words and ways that my contribution wasn’t welcomed. It was a discouraging experience. If I were ever work for another company that announced it was merging with a larger company, I’d resign immediately. Life is too short for what is euphemistically calling “blending of cultures,” or “marriage of equals.” You can’t PR reality. It will bite.

Disgruntled But No Longer Deluded