The M&A market is experiencing a highly active period, and it has created a plethora of opportunities for financial and IR agencies to not only take part in the action, but also to drive it.

Hostile takeover attempts may be the most cutthroat version of M&A work. Public statements are carefully calculated, but behind the scenes, communications professionals are figuring out how to turn bared fangs to their own client's advantage.

Mirant, an international power company, sought to bolster its own ...