FairWinds Partners Sees New gTLDs Inspiring New Internet Business Model

WASHINGTON, June 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) published the list of  the 1,930 applications it received for new gTLD extensions – applications for everything from .CITY to .BRAND to .PHRASE. FairWinds Partners, the leading domain name strategy consulting firm, co-founded and run by Managing Partners Josh Bourne and Phil Lodico, said, "Today is an exciting day for the Internet: the Internet business model as we know it is gone and a new era begins. Businesses will have to innovate to stay on the cutting edge of the Internet frontier."

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As the leading domain name advisor to major brands, FairWinds has worked to educate companies about the program and to help them reach a decision that best fulfills their business goals. We have worked to correct misinformation in the marketplace and aid brands that chose to apply in navigating ICANN's lengthy and constantly changing application process, as well as companies that did not apply to ensure they are kept well informed and prepared to respond to this massive shift in Internet addressing.

There has been an ongoing debate about the benefits and risks of the New gTLD Program. However, for better or worse, would-be applicants had to consider participating in this new Internet world once the program was approved by ICANN's Board on June 20, 2011. It was on that day that brand owners had to begin to truly weigh the options of applying for new gTLDs, taking into consideration whether new gTLDs hold the potential opportunity for innovation or whether they should risk being "left behind" in an unknown future chapter of the Internet.

FairWinds filed 130 new gTLD applications for 50 of the world's biggest brand owners, as well as advised companies who chose not to apply on next steps. We look forward to continuing our work at the Internet's frontier as the New gTLD Program continues to move forward. With almost 2,000 total new gTLD applications, the Internet is poised to change significantly, and FairWinds will continue to help brands optimize their place in the domain name space.

FairWinds works with clients to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of their online branding efforts through the optimal ownership and use of domain names, social media usernames, and gTLD extensions.

CONTACT: Samantha Demetriou, +1-202-223-9252, [email protected]

SOURCE FairWinds Partners