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United Airlines & Continental Airlines Merger

United Airlines Takes Flight Through Merger

The APCO team worked alongside United’s merger team and executed a strategic campaign from announcement through the day of the completion of the merger. APCO’s team included a broad spectrum of communications and government relations professionals, who helped United with key stakeholders -- and in that regard, APCO was a key partner in our efforts to create a leading global airline."

Glenn Tilton

Chairman of the Board United Continental Holdings Inc
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Challenge: United Airlines and Continental Airlines planned to merge to create the world’s leading airline. The companies needed a strategy followed by tactical execution to announce the merger and gain support from internal and external audiences.

Approach: APCO executed critical elements of a comprehensive merger strategy for United that focused on educating key audiences about the benefits of the merger from its announcement through completion. Tactics included digital advertising announcing the merger; preparing key executives for congressional hearings; online communications and social media; and ally development and coalition building.

Results: APCO helped United effectively communicate with all of its key audiences about the benefits and impact of the merger and successfully generated broad-based support for the successful transaction.

Results At A Glance: 

  • Broad-based support for the merger among employees and key stakeholders
  • Department of Justice approved the merger
  • Coverage in every major newspaper and broadcast news outlet in the United States
  • Dedicated morning segment on CNBC featuring both CEOs
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