Lincoln Essay, Research Paper

Over the past few years we?ve seen the glamorous acquisitions and mergers of some of the world?s largest companies. Looking towards consolidating resources, minimizing risk and greater control over the product from inception to marketing, these mergers incorporate both vertical integration and horizontal integration.

Times Warner?s? merger with Turner broadcasting created the largest media company in the world. It owns cable distribution, cable channels, production, music publishing, book and magazine publishing, retail interests, film production and theater chains. An example of possible problems:

The 1996 controversy over Time Warner?s cable provider not wanting to distribute Fox?s 24 hour channel, a competitor with Turner?s CNN. Add to this that TCI, the country?s largest cable provider, is now the third largest shareholder in the corporation through its stake in Turner.

These new organizations have the ability to control and promote a product from multiple angles. However, the size doesn?t tell the whole story. A greater measure of the level of competition comes in terms of market share and the barrier for new companies to enter the industry. While the current trend seems to be toward both vertical and horizontal integration, there are possible reasons for the trend to reverse itself. Because of the financial risk involved with new, large-scale ventures, companies that compete in one market find themselves in partnerships elsewhere. This could cause conflicts should these competing ventures find themselves in the same market.

We have witnessed many mergers in recent months. Here are some mergers that might happen in the future:

Names of Co. Merging New Name

W.R. Grace Co., Fuller Brush Co., Mary Kay: Hale Mary Fuller Grace

John Deere & Abitibi-Price: Deere Abi

Honeywell, Imasco, and Home Oil:Honey, I?m Home

3M, J.C. Penney, Metropolitan Opera Co:3 Penney Opera

Grey Poupon & Dockers Pants:Poupan Pants

Over the past few years we?ve seen the glamorous acquisitions and mergers of some of the world?s largest companies. Looking towards consolidating resources, minimizing risk and greater control over the product from inception to marketing, these mergers incorporate both vertical integration and horizontal integration.

Times Warner?s? merger with Turner broadcasting created the largest media company in the world. It owns cable distribution, cable channels, production, music publishing, book and magazine publishing, retail interests, film production and theater chains. An example of possible problems:

The 1996 controversy over Time Warner?s cable provider not wanting to distribute Fox?s 24 hour channel, a competitor with Turner?s CNN. Add to this that TCI, the country?s largest cable provider, is now the third largest shareholder in the corporation through its stake in Turner.

These new organizations have the ability to control and promote a product from multiple angles. However, the size doesn?t tell the whole story. A greater measure of the level of competition comes in terms of market share and the barrier for new companies to enter the industry. While the current trend seems to be toward both vertical and horizontal integration, there are possible reasons for the trend to reverse itself. Because of the financial risk involved with new, large-scale ventures, companies that compete in one market find themselves in partnerships elsewhere. This could cause conflicts should these competing ventures find themselves in the same market.

We have witnessed many mergers in recent months. Here are some mergers that might happen in the future:

Names of Co. Merging New Name

W.R. Grace Co., Fuller Brush Co., Mary Kay: Hale Mary Fuller Grace

John Deere & Abitibi-Price: Deere Abi

Honeywell, Imasco, and Home Oil:Honey, I?m Home

3M, J.C. Penney, Metropolitan Opera Co:3 Penney Opera

Grey Poupon & Dockers Pants:Poupan Pants