The Challenge

An emerging technology company discovered that a key intermediary was developing a competing product and negotiating with supliers to deny inputs to the company.

The ASG Approach

ASG’s Europe team decided that EU regulators would be the quickest, most influential avenue of approach. We identified key policymakers in Brussels and relevant EU member states, then directed EU regulatory attention to the disproportionate power of intermediaries. We developed response plans based on both the EU competition doctrine, working with legal council, and broader EU policy goals, including consumer welfare, innovation, and diversity in market.

The Result

Due to ASG’s high-level advocacy and outreach efforts, regulators warned the intermediary against negotiations with suppliers and efforts to deny inputs. Inquiries into the power of intermediaries changed the competitor's behavior, created opportunities for both enforcement actions and rule-making in a rapidly changing sector.