Situation

Headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, with more than 100 locations worldwide, Stanley is a full-range government IT integrator that offers systems engineering, enterprise integration, operational logistics, and more.

Recently the company had completed a major acquisition—its fourth in just five years. While Stanley employed some experienced marketing communications people, they did not have dedicated PR specialists and had never worked with an external agency.

Goal

Stanley wanted help with making the most of this achievement and a steady stream of high-profile contract wins, with the ultimate goal of a successful IPO. 

Solution

Strategic helped Stanley publicize the success of its acquisitions and contract wins in key media, while establishing a framework to guide its financial communications as a public company. Tactics included:

• Using multifaceted media—federal trade, business, and general print pubs—to promote Stanley’s rapid growth, including acquisitions such as Morgan Research and Techrizon; contract wins for the Marine Corps and Treasury Department; and a major win to manage national passport production and processing centers for the State Department.
• Refreshing and adding content and navigation aids to Stanley’s website, including corporate messaging, investor relations, and the newsroom.
• Supporting enhanced internal communications to ensure all employees were aware of the organizational benefits and changes resulting from key acquisitions, contract wins, and the IPO.
• Contributing content for successful industry award submissions, such as FORTUNE® Magazine’s 2007 “100 Best Companies to Work For”, to boost industry visibility and attract talented people.
• Providing high-level messaging suggestions for quarterly earnings announcements.
• Providing media counsel on public communications leading up to and following the IPO, including disclosure requirements, earnings announcements, and other material news, and training executive spokespersons for media interviews and contact with Wall Street influencers.

Results

Stanley’s IPO on the New York Stock Exchange debuted at $13, a price that had doubled a year later. The company continues on a steady growth track, both organically and through potential targeted acquisitions.