From .com to .brand
Ogilvy, July 2011
Early next year, ICANN will be accepting applications for the creation of new gTLDs (generic Top-Level Domains), which will allow companies to take ownership of branded domains such as .coke or .ibm, or more generic, but relevant domains such as .money or .food. The shift from a .com-centric to a .brand-centric domain architecture carries the potential to dramatically alter the online landscape, leading to expectations that hundreds of new gTLDs will be registered over the course of the next year.
For brands' online presence, the new domains represent a transformative opportunity. However, to successfully take advantage of this opportunity, brands must be strategic in their approach. Before brands even begin navigating the complex application process, they must first understand exactly what owning a gTLD means for them as well as consider a number of questions such as: "Should I register my brand name just in case?" or "How will this play a role in my overall brand architecture?"
In this paper, we will provide an overview of the shift toward the new gTLDs. We'll address how gTLDs can be registered and what is means to operate one, we take a look at the exciting opportunities they provide brands, and we show how Ogilvy can help brands make the most out of the gTLD shift.
Contents:
- New gTLDs: The Facts
- Applying for a gTLD
- After the gTLD is Granted
- Implications for Brands
- The Opportunities of the New gTLDs
- Generic domain names
- Brand focused domain names
- Customer focused domain names
- Collaborations
- Implications for Brands
- How Ogilvy can help
- Appendix
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From .com to .brand (pdf, 70.3 Kb)