Case Studies
By Melissa Menzie, Staff Writer
“Building One New Elan: Retaining and Relocating Employees Post-Acquisition,” Elan Pharmaceuticals 
Dublin-based Elan Pharmaceuticals had acquired five companies in the U.S. and faced the challenge of consolidating the multiple operations and establishing one North American Headquarters. There were five divisions in three locations that needed to be moved to the new San Diego, CA headquarters. This involved some shuffling of employees: one group was deemed necessary to the company and would hopefully move with them, a second group would be asked to remain through the transition to help make sure things went smoothly, and a third group would be terminated in the short term. Elan needed to implement a strategy to retain their key employees during the transition and help the employees understand the rationale behind the consolidation and how they would be affected by it.
“ServiceMaster Management Services Announcement,” Dome Communications Inc.
In 2001, 54-year-old ServiceMaster sold the Management Services Division of its company to Aramark. This sale was the result of a review by the new CEO, Jon Ward, which established that restructuring was needed to create a more focused company that would provide the greatest growth and profit. Dome Communication was approached to develop a communication program that would educate employees, shareholders and media about the restructuring.
“Labor Dispute in Health Care,” Capital District Health
Authority, Halifax, Nova Scotia
The Capital District Health Authority (CDHA) was the third merger and reorganization in less than 10 years of the Nova Scotian Health Care system, comprising 8 hospitals and 3 health programs. When labor discussions failed in June of 2001, CDHA had been in place for less than 6 months. The Public Affairs team had to prepare and implement a communication plan for the period of the strike. This plan had to gain the support of staff and physicians and reassure patients and civilians that their medical needs, including emergency care, would be met during the time of the service reduction.
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