Can people name examples of this actually happening?

I can see it both ways. My instinct would be to stay below the radar as long as I could. But I do see advantages in publicizing success: 1. Large and rising revenue signals desirability to other customers / clients, and thus works as marketing. 2. Known success stories can more easily recruit talent. 3. Can't be bought out at crazy premium from stealth mode.

Looking through some cases would help sort it all out.