DALLAS: Southwest Airlines is leading communications around its acquisition of AirTran Holdings, parent company of AirTran Airways, with help from PR agency Dix & Eaton. The companies announced the $1.4 billion acquisition today with a press release, a press conference live-streamed on Facebook, and investor and analyst outreach.

"We have reached out to employees, media, our stakeholders, and shareholders," said Ashley Dillon, communications specialist for Southwest. "We want to make sure everyone feels involved and everyone has the information ...