Applied Materials and Tokyo Electron Ltd. are relying on outside PR counsel in the $7B combination of the semiconductor equipment makers.
Applied is the world's top producer of chip-making products, while Tokyo Electron is No. 3. The all-stock deal would create a $29B giant fueling production of semiconductor and display technology used in smartphones, PCs and tablets, among other devices.
Brunswick Group's Hong Kong office is supporting communications for Santa Clara-based Applied Materials regarding the deal. Joe Pon heads communications and public affairs for Applied.
Tokyo-based Ashton Consulting is outside PR counsel for Tokyo Electron.
The deal, announced Sept. 24, is expected to close in the second half of 2014, pending shareholder and regulatory approval.
Thomson Reuters said the merger is the second-largest foreign purchase of a Japanese company, following Citigroup's $7.9B buy of Nikko Cordial Corp. in 2007.
Applied's third quarter 2013 revenue was essentially flat at $1.98B with net income of $168M.
The combined company, incorporated in The Netherlands, will have a new name, headquarters in Tokyo and Santa Clara, and dual listings on the Tokyo Stock Exchange and NASDAQ.
The companies have created a microsite regarding the deal at newglobalinnovator.com.
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