Yahoo. In one word, the most powerful brand on the Internet. It helped define the dot-com era. When ex-movie moghul Terry Semel was named Yahoo chairman and CEO in 2001, business analysts were shocked because he was a rank outsider.

But they had reckoned without Terry’s legendary deal-making skills. It worked wonders for Yahoo. He powered a company built around the dot-com phenomenon and turned it into a money-making machine, with ad revenues and premium content swelling the coffers.

Under Terry, revenues and profits have surged to record highs, and the company's stock doubled in value. Investors are once again saying "Yahoo!", thanks to Terry.

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