Bonuses to retain important executives are common in mergers, but keeping them secret is unusual.

At the same time, he must try to retain several prominent creative executives connected to MCA.

That is why few consultants still argue that options are a tool to retain executives in Silicon Valleys.

Despite that endorsement, there still may be something to Mr. Gold's concern about retaining crucial executives.

Mr. Hodgson added that energy companies often justify big pay and generous perks by saying that they could not possibly retain talented executives without them.

Also, Anthem has built a reputation for retaining local executives who stay to run the business.

'Crony capitalism' Critics blame companies' remuneration committees, whose job is to set out pay structures deemed appropriate to retain executives and support strategic aims.

The loan program, created to retain crucial executives, was approved by a committee of Kmart's board in October and November 2001.

The company said it was a necessary step to retain executives.

And many investors are not convinced by management arguments that repricing options is required to retain executives who might otherwise be lured away by competitors.