Mayor of London Champions New "Ground-Breaking" Dot London Domain Launch

LONDON, September 18, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --

The Mayor of London Boris Johnson today championed a phenomenal opportunity for businesses to link to the capital's powerful brand, as Dot London domain names are now on sale worldwide.

     (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140918/706462 )

Interest in Dot London has been strong and on the first day the new domain name went on general availability over 9000 domains were registered making a total of over 44,000 registrations now received.  Leading businesses signed up include Fortnum & Mason, KPMG and Cath Kidston.

After a three-month priority period for Londoners, Dot London domains are now available to all companies and individuals who want to create a digital link with the city.

Boris Johnson, The Mayor of London said: "The launch of Dot London is one of the most exciting things to have happened on London's digital scene for many years, and it's thrilling to be right at the centre of this ground-breaking moment. London's new domain name provides a phenomenal opportunity to link businesses all over the world with our city's powerful brand."

Gordon Innes, Chief Executive of London & Partners, the official promotional company for London, said: "London is an internationally recognised city brand and we are delighted a huge range of global businesses and individuals have registered for Dot London. Dot London enables businesses big and small to put London at the heart of their brand."

Many London and UK-based sports teams and associations, including West Ham United and Harlequins, have registered for Dot London to align with London's reputation as a leading sport city.

Harlequins Head of Marketing and Communications, Imogen Gaunt said: "Adopting a Dot London domain name was a very easy decision. We are the London rugby club with a vibrant history within the capital. This domain reinforces our London position and augments our relationships with supporters and partners in the city."

The new domain name has proved popular with many London SMEs. Paul Michaels, chairman of Hexagon Classics, said: "For over 50 years we have been in the business of dealing with iconic luxury British motoring brands, so a Dot London domain name will allow us to stand out from the rest and strengthen our link with one of the most seminal brands in the world - London."

Antony Van Couvering, Chief Executive of Minds + Machines, the commercial partner of Dot London, said: "By acquiring a Dot London domain name, businesses, museums, shops, theatres and galleries will secure a web address that is more relevant to them as a London brand, identifying them as being located or associated with the city. This will not only strengthen their link with the city but also help raise their profile and improve their credibility as an internationally recognised brand."

Demand for Dot London domain names remains strong with registrars, such as  123 -reg, Easyspace, Fasthosts,  1&1, Minds + Machines  and Go Daddy. Dot London is one of over 1,000 new gTLDs released by global internet body ICANN as alternatives to '.com' or '.co.uk'.

SOURCE Dot London