“The value of Corel Corp. shares rose 60% yesterday following
the US$135-million investment by Microsoft Corp. and Derek Burney,
the interim chief executive responsible for the deal, was named as
the permanent CEO of the Ottawa-based software company….”
Tim Button, a Microsoft executive and friend of Mr. Burney, sent
an e-mail three days after Mr. Cowpland’s Aug. 15 resignation,
inquiring about the possibility of the two companies working
together.”
“‘[Mr. Button] felt that with my appointment, and the fact that
we have had a working relationship, it represented an opportunity
for them to work with somebody at Corel who was interested in this
type of alliance,’ said Mr. Burney.”