The Deal Economy 2013

When it comes to cross-border M&A, U.S. corporate dealmakers typically find that hurdles for macroeconomic, legal and execution risks are much higher than those they encounter on their home turf. In an uncertain global economy that continues to contain significant risks, it has become increasingly critical to have proven best practices through the acquisition cycle-- from target selection to due diligence and especially integration, where so many deals fail. How are emerging economic and regulatory realities influencing the global dealmaking landscape? What are the best ways to access key growth markets such as Asia? Leading dealmakers share their roadmaps for execution and integration--where they are looking for growth and how they are identifying key challenges as they plan for more activity in 2013.

Confirmed Panelists

Anne T. Madden,VP, Corporate Development & Global Head of M&A, Honeywell

Hilton Romanski, Vice President, Head of Corporate Business Development, Cisco Systems

Aileen P. Stockburger, Worldwide Vice President, Business Development, Johnson & Johnson

James Rosener, Partner, Pepper Hamilton

Moderator

Suzanne Miller, Senior Editor, The Deal

Simon Hobbs, Anchor, CNBC

William E. Kovacic, Former Chairman, Federal Trade Commission

Interviewer

William McConnell, Bureau Chief, Washington, The Deal

Economic inequalities have come under sharp attack of late, not only from the White House, but some members of Congress and protesters at Occupy Wall Street. Suddenly the venerable notion that the rich get richer and the poor get poorer has stirred calls to do something about it. Given the financial crisis of 2008, the struggles of the euro zone, mounting inequality and stress on the safety net, not to say an emphasis on job creation and competitiveness, many argue that traditional American capitalism must give way to different model with a social conscience and a repaired safety net. China's brand of capitalism comes, of course, with an authoritarian political system. The euro zone attempts to soften the edges of capitalism with expensive welfare systems and bureaucracies. Brazil and India work their own models. Can you have creative destruction without destruction? The panel looks at whether capitalism is broke and needs fixing - and if so, where to look for the answers.

Confirmed Panelists

Richard M. Jeanneret, Americas Vice Chair, Transaction Advisory Services Ernst & Young LLP

Kenneth B. Mehlman, Head of Global Public Affairs, KKR

Leo E. Strine, Jr., Chancellor, Delaware Court of Chancery

Jim Woolery, Co-Head of North America, M&A, J.P. Morgan

Moderator

Michelle Caruso-Cabrera, Chief International Correspondent, CNBC

China-bashing is a popular sport in the West these days, deployed by politicians pushing everything from patent-law reform to deficit-cutting to trade protectionism. A decade after China joined the World Trade Organization, it continues to be the subject of multiple complaints, from undervaluing its currency and mobilizing trade policy to dominate global industries to demanding ownership stakes from foreign entrants. How should the U.S. compete--by adopting an arsenal of like-minded, protectionist trade practices and inequitable policies and hindering the Chinese... for being Chinese? Or should U.S. regulators and businesses find a better way, moving up the manufacturing ladder in the U.S. to make advanced technologies the Chinese can't match and shoring up education and training to produce a more productive workforce? Some critics of China's critics say it may be time to stop whining... and intensify efforts to do a better job of competing. Join a rousing group conversation led by Jeff Sonnenfeld on free markets, trade and how the U.S. can level the playing field.

Facilitator

Jeffrey A. Sonnenfeld, Senior Associate Dean for Executive Programs and Lester Crown Professor in the Practice of Management, Yale School of Management

Featured Town Hall contributors

Christopher K. Johnson, Senior Adviser and Freeman Chair in China Studies, Center for Strategic & International Studies

Stephen A. Orlins, President, National Committee on United States-China Relations

Lynn Tilton, CEO, Patriarch Partners

Jim Cramer, Host, "Mad Money w/ Jim Cramer" & Co-Anchor, "Squawk on the Street," CNBC; Founder, TheStreet

Panelists explore the chances for easing gridlock in Washington now that the real victors have emerged. Much work needs to be done, without derailing the recovery: simplifying the tax code, cutting wasteful federal programs, unlocking new sources of revenue, devising a long-term plan to sharply reduce the national debt--and fixing the safety net once and for all.

Confirmed Panelists

John R. Ettelson, President & CEO, William Blair & Company

Barbara G. Novick, Vice Chairmain and Chair, Government Relations Steering Committee, BlackRock

Steven Rattner, Chairman, Willett Advisors; former Counselor & Lead Auto Advisor, U.S. Secretary of the Treasury

Leo E. Strine, Jr., Chancellor, Delaware Court of Chancery

Moderator

William McConnell, Bureau Chief, Washington, The Deal

The agonies of Europe continue, as the forces of integration and distintegration struggle for supremacy. But whether Greece stays or leaves, or whether the euro zone comes up with ways to save Spain or Italy, Europe will almost certainly look different by the end of the year. Our panel reviews where a unified Europe stands, examining new threats and fresh initiatives. Will new European political and regulatory institutions rise from the crisis, or will the forces of nationalism and radical politics surge to the fore? Which countries and sectors will best be positioned to ride out the storm - and which are vulnerable to contagion? Can the world recover without a healthy and unified Europe? Dealmakers will share their thoughts on capital flows, regulatory developments and the state of dealmaking in Europe.

Confirmed Panelists

Jean-Claude Gruffat, European Chairman, Global Subsidiaries Group, Citi Corporate and Investment Banking

Raymond Svider, Co-Chairman and Managing Partner, BC Partners

Jamie M. Weinstein, Director & Co-Head, Special Situations, KKR Asset Management

Moderator

Matt Miller, Editor-at-Large, The Deal

Robert Uhlaner, Senior Partner, McKinsey & Co.

Jean Case, CEO, The Case Foundation

Steve Case, Chairman & CEO, Revolution LLC & Chairman, The Case Foundation

Moderator: Duncan Niederauer, CEO and Director, NYSE Euronext

Where should dealmakers be looking to do deals in 2013, domestically and globally, and what can they expect? After a couple years of weak rebound following the financial crisis, the M&A market appears to be headed back to a decline for 2012. There has however, been a notable momentum shift recently. Will 2013 finally be the inflection point for the start of a sustainable rebound? Cash on the sidelines, low interest rates and pent up demand push against an uncertain economic and political framework. Three industry experts will speak for 20 minutes each highlighting the most important trends investors can expect to see in 2013 and the industry changes that could create opportunity and value.

Confirmed Panelists

Sarah E. Alexander, President & CEO, EMPEA

Scott Cutler, EVP & Global Head, New Listings, NYSE Euronext

Paul G. Parker, Head, Global Corporate Finance and M&A; Executive Committee, Investment Banking Division, Barclays

Facilitator

Matt Porzio, VP, M&A, IntraLinks

Gregory Rayburn, Chairman and CEO, Hostess Brands

Interviewer

Heidi Moore, US Finance & Economics Editor, The Guardian