Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision significantly boosts the company’s prospects in the gaming space. In a statement, Microsoft said, “This acquisition will accelerate the growth in Microsoft’s gaming business across mobile, PC, console and cloud and will provide building blocks for the metaverse.” Games under assets now include millions of players of “Warcraft,” “Candy Crush,” “Call of Duty,” and others.

As expected, Microsoft’s announcement doesn’t include bad news about Activision—reported just the day before the acquisition. Rampant sexual harassment allegations resulted in more than three dozen terminated and another 40 disciplined employees. The day after the acquisition, the Wall Street Journal reported, “Activision Blizzard’s Workplace Problems Spurred $75 Billion Microsoft Deal.” Similarly, Activision CEO Bobby Kotick’s email to employees fails to mention that the company may have been in trouble before the agreement.

As usual, what is not said is often as important as what is said. Both messages announce good news and omit the bad news. This story illustrates that positive business messages are also persuasive messages.