Source: NEWS gTLDs
Link: Leading Brands Participate in Launch of .Wiki Top-Level Domain
Source: The Domains
Link: Apple, Weather Channel, Ericsson, Hallmark, Chanel: Brands Are Getting Their .Wiki
Source: NEWS gTLDs
Link: .Wiki Will Be CentralNic’s First New gTLD to launch
Source: The Telegraph
Link: CentralNic set to launch .wiki domains
Source: Interactive Investor
Link: CentralNic set to launch .wiki domains
Source: MorningStar
Link: CentralNic To Begin Launching New Domains From March 3
Source: ClickZ
Link: Top 10 gTLDs to Watch in 2014
Leading Brands Participate in Launch of .Wiki Top-Level Domain
Source: NEWS gTLDs. http://www.newsgtlds.com/2014/03/leading-brands-participate-in-launch-of.html
[March 12, 2014] CentralNic Group plc (AIM:CNIC), the internet platform business which powers domain names, is pleased to announce the launch of the new Top-Level Domain (TLD) .wiki, with an exclusive invitation for brands to secure domain names in the format ‘TheirTrademark.wiki’ before .wiki domains are released to the general public through leading domain retail outlets worldwide. Leading global brands including Apple, Ericsson, Hallmark, the Weather Channel, Chanel and Old Mutual PLC were among the first to take advantage of the opportunity to obtain their .wiki domain names.
CentralNic is the technology platform which exclusively powers .wiki domains and makes them available to domain retailers globally, sharing in the worldwide revenues from the subscription sales of all .wiki domain names. The .wiki TLD is the first of CentralNic’s new Top-Level Domain launch program, marking a milestone for the Internet’s addressing system, expanding choice for those wishing to obtain a domain name, by offering new, meaningful and valuable alternatives to the limited names remaining available with such endings as .com, .org and .co.uk (133 million domains are already registered under those three endings).
The world’s best-known online collaboration tool thanks to Wikipedia.org, “wikis” are a specific type of Internet content that is rapidly becoming an essential asset for brands worldwide. Under the .wiki namespace companies can finally locate their organizational hubs somewhere intuitive and memorable (such as apple.wiki or chanel.wiki), facilitating quick and easy access for worldwide staff and ensuring optimum use and participation. The unique .wiki offering also enables the creation of publicly accessible areas that can be used to educate consumers and obtain valuable customer feedback and interaction.
The CEO of the company behind .wiki, Top Level Design, Raymond King, is a recognized entrepreneur and wiki-evangelist, having founded major wiki projects such as WikiIndex, AboutUs.org, and ICANNWiki. Commenting on the launch, Raymond said: “What’s exciting about wikis is that they further the original goal of the Internet; to be an open medium for the exchange of ideas. A .wiki domain name clearly invites like-minded individuals to become teachers, creators and collaborators. A team, company or the whole world can write and learn together. Every effective company should have theirname.wiki to amplify their teamwork.”
Ben Crawford, CEO of CentralNic PLC, said: “Every company and not-for-profit organization can make use of a wiki, if it does not already. And now is the opportunity for domain name owners to claim the .wiki version of their domain name for their own exclusive use.”
Other groups that stand to benefit from a .wiki domain include enthusiasts, hobbyists, developers, communities and academics as well as individuals who wish to create a public wiki profile. Such groups will have the opportunity to secure first choice names from May 8, 2014.
Apple, Weather Channel, Ericsson, Hallmark, Chanel: Brands Are Getting Their .Wiki
Source: The Domains. http://www.thedomains.com/2014/03/11/apple-weather-channel-ericsson-hallmark-chanel-brands-are-getting-their-wiki/
[March 11, 2014] Top Level Design LLC, the company behind the new gTLD, .Wiki announced today that leading global brands including Apple, Ericsson, Hallmark, the Weather Channel, and Chanel were among the first to take advantage of the opportunity to obtain their .wiki domain names through the “TheirTrademark.wiki” program.
The world’s best-known online collaboration tool thanks to Wikipedia.org, “wikis” are a specific type of Internet content that is rapidly becoming an essential asset for brands worldwide.”
“Under the .wiki namespace companies can finally locate their organizational hubs somewhere intuitive and memorable (such as apple.wiki or chanel.wiki), facilitating quick and easy access for worldwide staff and ensuring optimum use and participation.”
“The unique .wiki offering also enables the creation of publicly accessible areas that can be used to educate consumers and obtain valuable customer feedback and interaction.
The CEO of the company behind .wiki, Top Level Design, Raymond King, is a recognized entrepreneur and wiki-evangelist, having founded major wiki projects such as WikiIndex, AboutUs.org, and ICANNWiki.
Commenting on the launch, Raymond said: “What’s exciting about wikis is that they further the original goal of the Internet — to be an open medium for the exchange of ideas. A .wiki domain name clearly invites like-minded individuals to become teachers, creators and collaborators. A team, company or the whole world can write and learn together. Every effective company should have theirname.wiki to amplify their teamwork”.
Other groups that stand to benefit from a .wiki domain include enthusiasts, hobbyists, developers, communities and academics as well as individuals who wish to create a public wiki profile. Such groups will have the opportunity to secure first choice names from May 8, 2014.
Top Level Design LLC, the company behind .wiki, initially applied to run 10 new TLDs, though .wiki will be its first new TLD to go live.
Top Level Design’s next TLD to launch will be .ink, which is aimed at tattooists, writers, artists and other creative types.
.Wiki will enter Sunrise March 31st and be generally available in mid-June.
The company remains involved in an additional 7 TLD applications.
The .wiki registry already has agreements in place with over 122 registrars to retail.wiki domain names.
.Wiki Will Be CentralNic’s First New gTLD to launch
Source: NEWS gTLDs. http://www.newsgtlds.com/2014/03/wiki-will-be-centralnics-first-new-gtld.html
[March 1, 2014] CentralNic’s first new gTLD to launch will be .wiki, which takes a term that is synonymous with online collaboration and high quality websites, and makes it available for the use of companies, developers, communities and hobbyists alike.
CentralNic set to launch .wiki domains
Source: The Telegraph. http://shares.telegraph.co.uk/news/article.php?id=4764107&epic=CNIC
[February 28, 2014] CentralNic Group has given an update on the progress of the new generic Top-Level Domains (gTLDs) which will be exclusively using the CentralNic technology and cash-collection platform. Chief executive Ben Crawford says this is the biggest change to the internet since its inception as each new gTLD launch represents a completely new alternative to the traditional domain extensions such as .com and .co.uk. He says this creates new, relevant and meaningful domain names that are compelling both for well established markets and for the vast number of potential internet users in developing countries.
He added: “The CentralNic board is excited to be taking such a strong list of new Top-Level Domains to market, from the most generic and universal of all gTLDs, .xyz, to gTLDs designed for significant and clearly-defined verticals such as .bar, .college and .wiki.”
CentralNic is the exclusive platform powering 25 ‘uncontested gTLDs confirmed so far, to begin launching from next week, as well as 27 gTLD applications that have passed the Initial Evaluation from industry governing body ICANN, and are now in the contention resolution process. CentralNic has also succeeded in attracting additional domain extensions, including .co.com and TLDs to be acquired by Domain Venture Partners via its DVP II fund.
CentralNic’s first launch, .wiki, takes a term that is synonymous with online collaboration and high quality websites, and makes it available for the use of companies, developers, communities and hobbyists alike. The first .wiki domains will be available for registration to trademark holders on 3 March, and to others from 8 May.
This will be followed by .xyz – a mass-market Top Level Domain designed for global appeal, priced below the likes of .com and designed to be appropriate for any website in any language. The first .xyz domains will be available for registration to trademark holders on 20 March , and to anybody who wants to join ‘generation XYZ’ from 20 May.
CentralNic’s clients have an additional 23 new TLDs that are currently in the contracting process with ICANN. These fall into two categories: 1. TLDs from existing CentralNic clients, to be retailed through registrars. These domains are: .bar, .college, .contact, .fans, .feedback, .ink, .pid, and .rest – the global domain for restaurants. 2. Sixteen ‘DotBrand’ TLDs for corporations obtaining their own business names as Top-Level Domains so as to create their own branded universe of websites. CentralNic’s ‘DotBrand’ clients include Global 1000 enterprises such as Saudi Telecom, Qatar Telecom, Etisalat and Kuwait Finance House, as well as media and entertainment leaders The Guardian (.theguardian) and the world’s leading talent agency, William Morris Endeavor.
At 9:49am: (LON:CNIC) share price was 0p at 82p
CentralNic set to launch .wiki domains
Source: Interactive Investor. http://www.iii.co.uk/research/LSE:CNIC
[February 28, 2014] CentralNic Group has given an update on the progress of the new generic Top-Level Domains (gTLDs) which will be exclusively using the CentralNic technology and cash-collection platform. Chief executive Ben Crawford says this is the biggest change to the internet since its inception as each new gTLD launch represents a completely new alternative to the traditional domain extensions such as .com and .co.uk.
CentralNic To Begin Launching New Domains From March 3
Source: MorningStar. http://www.morningstar.co.uk/uk/news/AN_1393586254449955600/centralnic-to-begin-launching-new-domains-from-march-3.aspx
[February 28, 2014] LONDON (Alliance News) – CentralNic Group PLC said Friday that it will begin launching its 25 uncontested new generic top-level domain names, including .bar, .college, .wiki and .xyz, starting from next week.
CentralNic said it also had 27 generic top-level domain applications that have passed initial evaluation from the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, which are now going through the process to resolve competition over the applications.
A top level domain name is the suffix of an internet address such as .com or .net which are designated to approved organisations by ICANN. ICANN has only allowed a relatively small number of domains until now, such as .com, .org and .gov, but following a change of rules governing domain names it is now allowing a plethora of new domains to go online.
The first launch will be .wiki, which will be available for registration to trademark holders on March 3, and to others May 8. This will be following by .xyz, available to trademark holders March 20 and others May 20.
CentralNic’s remaining 23 uncontested domains are currently in the contracting process with ICANN, these include .bar, .college and .fans.
The company is currently battling over 24 further domains it has applied for, including .app, .blog, .mail and .news amongst others.
Shares in CentralNic were trading down 2.4% at 80.00 pence Friday morning.
Top 10 gTLDs to Watch in 2014
Source: ClickZ. http://www.clickz.com/clickz/column/2321262/top-10-gtlds-to-watch-in-2014
[January 7, 2014]As 2014 begins, the moment every gTLD applicant has been waiting for is finally here – the first gTLDs will actually start to launch this year. For most digital marketers, mobile, social and big data have been driving forces in their plans and little attention has been given to top level domains.
But, as new top level domains actually make their way into the internet and consumers begin the journey of discovery in the new digital frontier, marketers may want to give this a careful look. After spending countless hours reviewing the gTLD applications, discussion in the industry and researching shifts in consumer behavior, there are a few top level domains to watch.
In selecting the top ten, I focused on TLDs with no opposition, meaning those that are ready to go as soon as they complete contracting. They won’t be bogged down with an auction process fighting for ownership of the TLD with other applicants.
Additionally, I’ve looked really closely at both Google and Amazon. These two powerhouse digital brands have a clear advantage over all the other TLD applicants. They have a built-in consumer base, name recognition and credibility, and hordes of data about all of us.
I’ve also focused on top level domains which will be open to users and affiliates so it’s something every digital marketer could potentially use in a campaign this year. I have not focused on the other brands because most will not launch until later this year and will have a very focused strategy.
These are the top 10 gTLDs to watch in 2014:
10: .wiki owned by Top Level Design
This one has a low prioritization number (should get to market soon) and has the potential to provide great secure, shared workspaces for companies large and small. Hopefully, they combine interesting technology solutions to coordinate with their top level domain and provide some controls to brand the site so that companies want to build their knowledge sharing platforms in the .wiki space. It’s a great way to brand internally and differentiate it from other platforms. Consider yourcompany.wiki, or bigproject.wiki. It could also be great in a class room setting.
9: .republican and .democrat owned by United TLD
With a battle ahead between the red and blue states in the coming mid-term and run up to the next presidential election, these could be invaluable to politicians wanting to distinguish themselves and get out of the saturated .com space. For every politician that can’t get his or her name in .com, this provides a much clearer space to build your brand. .Democrat has a much lower prioritization number so they could have an edge in their branding if they use it to their advantage in the digital age of campaigns.
8: .smile owned by Amazon
This new top level domain by Amazon appears to be free of any hurdles and with a priority number that should get them to market by Q2 or Q3, they could certainly use this to build a social network focused on photos and sharing of photos to give Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat a new competitor. Or, it could be great for dentists and orthodontists too. I’d go with the social media approach. Still, it’s one to watch to see what Amazon does with it and how they offer it up to digital marketers.
7: .prime owned by Amazon
While they don’t have a great prioritization number, they should still be able to launch this year since they are unopposed and it is a clear brand for them. Amazon could easily provide all businesses access to a .prime domain name if they use Amazon’s distribution system. What a great brand for any company to piggyback on in communicating to customers free 2-day shipping. Retailers everywhere should keep an eye on this one.
6: .channel owned by Google
Every brand could have its own channel in Google’s .channel. With a reasonable prioritization number and no opposition, Google can roll this out for digital marketers to build their own channel of content. Coupled with Google products and analytics, this could be a powerful way for every brand to tap into the renewed “content is king” approach to marketing. The big question will be how Google differentiates this from You Tube channels.
5: .singles owned by Donuts
Donuts will soon be launching the .singles top level domain. As matchmaking was one of the original successful business models on the internet, .singles could certainly spur creative and innovative thinking by not only the existing matchmakers, but every entrepreneur who has run out of good names for a dating site in .com. Other organizations within universities, churches or other social groups could also create their own secure .singles pages as a safe space to meet others within existing groups.
4: .youtube owned by Google
You Tube is already one of the most watched networks in the world. As Google transforms it from Youtube.com into a .youtube with significantly more opportunities for branding channels of content, could Google disrupt the cable industry by providing the next single source of surfing content? Their new Chromecast allows users to surf their TV easily by plugging it into your existing TV. How easy is that? They could accelerate cutting the cable cord with this dynamic duo.
3: .author owned by Amazon
With no competitors in the .author space, Amazon can clearly build upon its existing self-publishing solutions, not to mention drive all of the authors selling books anywhere in the world to build their digital presence within their universe of .author. For authors of all types, having a landing page in Amazon’s network could be invaluable. Amazon’s data machine can drive important analytics to help authors write what will actually sell. As an author, Amazon, please do this right!
2: .hangout owned by Google
Google’s hangout is still building momentum, but with new capabilities in the top level domain environment, could they build the next social network with the added Skype like benefit? Will they combine the best of what others have done?
1: .tunes owned by Amazon
Amazon could certainly leapfrog Apple’s iTunes brand with easy consumer recognition of what they might offer in the .tunes top level domain. As a closed eco system for Amazon to mine data and offer artists exclusive domains to market and promote themselves while selling music, Amazon is in a prime position to further entrench itself as a digital powerhouse. Apple applied for .apple, but that was it. In hindsight, clearly a missed opportunity.
In addition to the above top level domains, it’s worth keeping an eye on big technology and digital brands who have the greatest incentive to do something innovative in 2014. Most of the brands will have the opportunity to launch by the end of the year.
We will see in 2014 which brands are first to make a bold move. Market leadership is up for grabs in the digital frontier.
Apple, Weather Channel, Ericsson, Hallmark, Chanel: Brands Are Getting Their .Wiki
Source: Paper Blog. http://en.paperblog.com/apple-weather-channel-ericsson-hallmark-chanel-brands-are-getting-their-wiki-826192/
CentralNic set to launch .wiki domains
Source: Money AM. http://www.moneyam.com/action/news/showArticle?id=4764107
CentralNic set to launch .wiki domains
Source: Stock Market Wire. http://www.stockmarketwire.com/article/4764107/CentralNic-set-to-launch-wiki-domains.html