Rejection

Although it was clear to the Origin Energy board that the takeover bid the BG Group proposed should be rejected, relaying this message to Origin Energy’s shareholders remained a challenge of complex and ever-evolving proportions. Conveying the message to shareholders to reject the offer was anything but straightforward and was being played out on a constantly shifting field.

Precinct was engaged initially to manage and design the target's statement to Origin Energy’s key stakeholders. Precinct’s involvement soon widened to encompass a tactical and strategic campaign in the press, as well as working with the shareholder call center to distil and communicate the logic and weight of the Origin Energy board’s thinking.

The communication went two ways. Precinct was also able to gauge (via the call center) the shareholders’ impressions, concerns and feelings, and factor these into its communications advice.

Precinct partnered with Origin Energy and other agencies as tactical and strategic communications adviser, advertising agency and designer.