Media Relations

Executive Visibility

Transaction Communications

the situation

Over a decade, a private golf club network grew from seven to over 50 clubs, emerging as a fast-growing company in the sector. A large pending sale to a major acquirer promised a significant exit for the Founder. We aimed to highlight his entrepreneurial journey and industry impact to position him for his next venture.

PROBLEM

Outside of the core golf and hospitality communities, the Founder's rise in business remained largely unrecognized. Without a strategic communications plan, mainstream media coverage could have focused solely on the acquirer, overshadowing years of astute business strategy and market leadership. If there was not immediate and widespread acknowledgment of his company’s achievements and his personal vision, securing future high-profile opportunities would likely become even more challenging.

SOLUTION

We launched an accelerated, three-pronged media program that took control of the narrative before, during and after the announcement:


  • National, Local and Trade Media Exclusives: We arranged advance interviews with prominent outlets such as The Wall Street Journal, Houston Chronicle, and Golf Digest. This allowed the CEO to present the transaction as the result of a bold growth strategy to his most relevant audiences.


  • Strategic Transaction Framing: We positioned the sale as a win-win for the golf industry, spotlighting the acquiring company's expansion, member-experience innovations and cultural impact. Strategic storytelling balanced inputs from both brands, ensuring neither was overshadowed.


  • Third-Party Validation: We secured endorsements from respected industry voices, including the president of a leading industry trade association, who labeled the deal “a rare bright spot” in a sector often dominated by negative headlines.


RESULTS

By managing the narrative throughout the transaction process, we ensured that both parties received equal attention, and the Founder's decade of entrepreneurial success received the recognition it deserved.


  • For the founder:
  • National coverage chronicled the company’s transformation from seven to fifty-plus clubs, cementing its status as a valuable business.
  • The founder exited with a well-earned reputation as a visionary deal-maker, fueling interest from investors and boards seeking experienced leadership.


  • For the acquirer:
  • Stock price rose 30% in the months following the announcement.
  • Year-over-year revenue growth reached a record 24%, reinforcing market dominance.
  • The acquirer’s CEO was named the most powerful person in golf by a major trade publication for the second straight year.



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