VitesseLearning, Inc.

About VitesseLearning, Inc.

VitesseLearning is North America’s leading independent provider of performance-based learning solutions. The company focuses on bringing scalable learning solutions to its customers through vertical expertise and solid production processes. Vitesse delivers a full-spectrum of learning services — from strategic consulting services and curriculum design to instructional and visual strategy, and development of blended learning programs, as well as learning delivery and deployment.

Bringing Two Companies Together

In 2005, the Canadian-based e-learning company, Provinent Corporation, identified U.S.-based VitesseLearning as having strong complementary services that could enhance its business and provide greater access to the U.S. market. The two companies decided to merge under the VitesseLearning name, combining the unique strengths from each organization to position the new company as the standard for quality, performance-based learning solutions.

However, the critical messaging associated with this transition needed to be clearly defined. Neither company had internal resources with the knowledge or experience to create and communicate the market-facing messages for the new entity. MarketPoint was engaged to manage the communication issues associated with the merger and to ensure that the right messages were disseminated appropriately to customers, employees, partners and the industry.

Providing Bandwidth to Create the Right Messaging

In order to meet the aggressive timeline set for announcing the merger, MarketPoint quickly assessed and synthesized all facets of each company including their strengths, competition, place in the market and clients. The goal? Create the right messaging for the new company and translate it into the most effective and immediate communication vehicles and mechanisms associated with the transition.

By ensuring that all communication delivered a cohesive, consistent and concise message, MarketPoint was able to position the new VitesseLearning as a powerful entity right from the start. MarketPoint made certain the branding and communications aspects of the merger went smoothly, both internally and externally, by:

• Interviewing key executives and conducting brainstorming sessions to discover the historical perspective of each company and to determine the intended values, distinction and direction for the combined entity
• Defining a messaging framework for internal and external communications built on the outcomes of the strategic sessions and an evaluation of each company’s strengths, weaknesses, clients, competitors and position in the marketplace
• Creating and managing external communication strategies and tools, including the development of talking points and FAQs, managing all public relations and media contacts, creating an interim integrated web site, and producing “Day One” client communication materials which announced the merger

“We didn’t have the internal resources to create the messaging and execute it properly,” explains Ted Root, CEO of VitesseLearning. He adds, “MarketPoint helped guide us through the process by engaging us in working sessions, identifying key issues and developing talking points to ensure our messaging was tight and our external communications were clear, concise and consistent across the board.”

Welcoming in a New Era of Learning

The result? The company was successful not only in managing the internal perceptions associated with the merger, but also in generating positive industry response to the new VitesseLearning. Clients perceived the merger as positive, and quickly discerned the company’s messages surrounding the merger as well as how it would impact and benefit them.

“Internally, the new messaging was received positively,” says Root. “We weren’t met with silence, which is good. People weren’t confused about it. Our clients immediately recognized the value as well, which makes this effort a true success.” He notes MarketPoint’s professionalism, flexibility and solid framework for managing the flow of projects as playing a significant role in the success of the Provinent-VitesseLearning merger.

By bringing focus and clarity to messaging across all communications mediums, clients, shareholders, employees and the public were able to quickly embrace the change associated with the merger. Moreover, it provided a smooth transition for the two companies into “A New Era of Learning.”

top