Summit Notebook

Exclusive outtakes from industry leaders

Silicon Valley execs self-absorbed (and thats not all bad)

With the white noise of MicroHoo ringing in everyone ears, we asked Adobe SystemsShantanu Narayen, president and chief executive officer of Adobe Systems Inc., speaks during the Reuters Global Technology, Media and Telecom Summit in New York CEO Shantanu Narayen why he thinks “royal weddings” — idylic mergers between multi-billion dollar companies — in Silicon Valley are few and far between.

You know, because, giant Deathstars are better for everybody, right?

The answer: Even though some merger adviser is probably ringing to talk about “strategic alternatives” (we suppose), Silicon Valley entrepreneur-types are, like, you know, obsessed with minding their own beeswax.

I think the Valley is all about innovation and about charting your own course. And companies seeing opportunities for themselves. I’m focused on how do I continue to drive great new products and deliver value to my shareholders.

I think the zen or the DNA of people there is all about growth and all about driving new innovation.

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