Looks like hyper-acquisitive Cisco Systems Inc. is on the hunt with a keen interest in video targets. During a presentation at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Cisco chief executive John Chambers (pictured) said to expect a "stream of acquisitions" and new products from the company as often as every two months. He later told Reuters that
video is a "key application."
On Tuesday in Las Vegas, Cisco introduced a handful of
new products and services in its consumer business, which has been built on dozens of acquisitions in the past few years.
This will certainly keep Ned Hooper and his team busy. Hooper heads up both Cisco's corporate development operation and its consumer business. Having a single executive oversee dealmaking and the company's growth engine helps Cisco spot shifting market conditions and the right targets to pursue.
Of course, Hooper and his corp dev team are always busy. Cisco has made more than 125 acquisitions since 1993. And in a December profile of Cisco highlighting the company receiving the top award in The Deal's Most Admired Corporate Dealmaker survey, Hooper said he didn't expect the down economy would slow that pace. "Successful companies acquire in both good times and difficult times. And during this challenging economic period, we expect to be particularly active in looking for companies that will position Cisco to capture value for our shareholders and customers during the upturn."
- Suzanne Stevens
Cuong Viet Do
And the winners are...
