Word from the CEO: Exciting times again for new TLDs?

Welcome to my blog – a new feature from Com Laude where I will cover exciting developments from our business as well as significant updates from the domain name industry. I hope you find the content interesting. As Com Laude’s CEO, I am privileged to lead an outstanding group of domain name specialists who deliver the best services to many of the world’s foremost brands. It’s a fun job, every day’s a learning day and we always have lots going on.

The new gTLD Programme

To get things going then, this month I am looking forward to what many regard as a pivotal moment in our industry – as the policy for future new top-level domains is considered by the ICANN board.

A slice of Domain Name History

This process takes me back to my first foray into the domain name industry – way back in 2008 – when the policy for the 1st round of new TLDs was approved. Back then, the ICANN board voted in favour in Paris, presenting the first major opportunity to apply. Plans were made, the applicant guidebook drafted (and redrafted) and as we moved into 2012 the window finally opened. The landslide came when ICANN received 1,930 applications for around 1,400 unique terms. Brands applied along with communities and geographies and commercial open TLDs (the so-called next dot coms). Heralding a more liberalised namespace.

This was also a significant event in the development of Com Laude’s business – we were 8 years old in 2012, with a very strong team of advisors who managed 20% of all the applications submitted by brands as well as providing specialist services to geographic and community applicants.

Com Laude’s new TLD Experts

Well, the team is still here, albeit we’re a little older and more experienced now. We have welcomed new talent to add further strength. And we are really excited as approving the new TLD policy for the next round is firmly back on the ICANN board’s agenda. The next public meeting in Cancun scheduled for March 11-16.

Will the ICANN Board approve SubPro?

So, will the new TLD policy recommendations be approved in the next 2 weeks? We hope they will – or at least the majority of them – and if this happens the industry will move onto the implementation runway – creating the opportunity to secure your very own Top-Level Domain. So are we about to embark on the next phase of DNS history in ICANN’s 25th anniversary year? It would seem fitting. We look forward to hearing more from Tripti Sinha (ICANN Chair) and Sally Costerton (Interim CEO).

Time to Start Work? Get in Touch

Assuming approval happens, brands and others will want to start working on feasibility assessments and business plans. And boy do we have an outstanding team to help them on the journey! With over 300 1^st round TLD applications successfully delivered by our current team, our friendly advisory function is unparalleled. And we offer the proposition that delivers maximum realisable value.

So, if you are keen to explore the benefits of your own TLD and would like our advice, contact us here. Our team would love to hear from you. They will happily discuss the opportunity and provide you with ideas that will create lasting value for you.

Want to be kept updated on ICANN?

And please look out for our post-ICANN meeting updates. We’d love to keep you updated – you can join our distribution list by subscribing in the footer below. New TLD newsletters, updates, case studies and more will follow. And you will receive a recording of our post-meeting webinar – which might be a good place to start.