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Groupon Goes Public: Communication Strategy and Challenges

Frank, Jun, Sauerhoff, Eric, and O’Rourke, J.S. (Editor)
February 15, 2018
SKU:
BUS-004116
Region: 
North America
Topic: 
Strategy & General Management, Accounting & Finance
Length: 
20 pages
Keywords: 
E-Commerce, IPO, scrutiny, IPO process, Business Model, financial viability, accounting practics
Copyrighted by: 
Notre Dame
Student Price: 
$4.00 (€3.75)
Average rating: 
0

Three-year old daily deals company Groupon filed for an IPO on June 2, 2011 seeking a valuation of $20 billion. However, the offbeat, local e-commerce firm has come under intense media and investor scrutiny during the IPO process over its business model, financial viability, and accounting practices. After postponing its IPO amidst market uncertainty, Groupon must work to restore credibility with the investor community.

Learning Outcomes: 
  • Familiarize students with the challenges a firm faces in its communication with investors, especially at a sensitive time;
  • Stimulate discussion on the role of corporate culture in corporate communication and investor relations;
  • Encourage students to think about having a corporate communication strategy that aligns a firm’s communication with its corporate objectives while maintaining its corporate culture and developing singularity in its voice.