Since 2005, GHD has completed a series of strategic mergers including:

The court said Time did not have to accept Paramount's bid, but could go forward with its strategic merger with Warner.

The 1990s were marked by a series of strategic mergers and acquisitions.

"This is a strategic merger of equals."

His memo said that "no strategic merger yet envisioned matches the promise of our own growth strategy if we execute it successfully."

The company has diversified its founding technology in ceramic materials through internal development as well as strategic mergers and acquisitions.

The two companies would say yesterday only that their boards were "considering a possible strategic merger" and that the proposed transaction could still fall through.

"When companies seek to create shareholder value with far-fetched strategic mergers, it almost always masks shortcomings in their underlying businesses."

One is technical: "Organize these three companies by their betas," or "Walk me through how you would value this company in a prospective strategic merger."

In an era where just about every media company is searching for strategic mergers, companies appear prepared to explore linking up with Viacom in some way.