Working under siege

A hostile takeover bid is one of the toughest challenges a communications team can face

 
Hostile takeover attempts normally happen only once in the lifetime of a communications team. The strategies for handling these attempts do not follow standard templates and thus demand intelligence, a firm grip on strategy and the ability to improvise. Here, we highlight the challenges of defend-and-attack strategies through the lens of the communications team. The challenges recently faced by two Central European oil companies are assessed in detail. In both cases, the authors led the communications team of the defence side.

Szabolcs Ferencz

Szabolcs Ferencz is vice president corporate communications at MOL Group since 2003. Previously, he worked as head of communications for the Hungarian Prime Minister’s Office and before that as political campaign manager and head of the Ministerial Cabinet in the Ministry of National Cultural Heritage.

Attila Karvalics

Attila Karvalics is group head, strategic communications and corporate marketing at MOL Group since 2006. He has also been head of vommunications and public affairs at Coca-Cola and South African Breweries, in Hungary and also editor-in-chief of business magazine Invest.