Brand TLD
Brand gTLD is an innovative top level domain name (TLD) program introduced by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers under its January 2012 New gTLD Expansion Program. The Brand gTLD provides opportunity for corporations with multiple brands, products or services to use their corporate name as their website address instead of using the traditional .com or .net domain space. For example, Apple Inc, may use www.iPhone.apple instead of www.iPhone.com.
In an interview, ICANN CEO Rod Beckstrom explained that the .brand domain is just like a logo change and a new marketing strategy for companies. Companies and organizations have varying reactions regarding the brand gTLD. Deloitte, Canon, Hitachi, Motorola and Unicef expressed their enthusiasm to apply for their own .brand TLD to enhance their SEO strategy and security against cyber attacks.[1] On the other hand, Gary Elliot, Chairman of the Association of National Advertisers said compnies like Procter and Gamble and HP are not interested to apply for a .brand TLD because the cost is confusing and expensive. He estimated that companies will spend as much as $1.5 million to operate their own TLD registry. [2] [3]
Benefits of Brand gTLD
The benefits of operating a Brand gTLD include:[4]
- Enable companies can create shorter and easy to remember internet address.
- Consumers will be able to easily access information regarding the products and services.
- Allows companies to control their web presence by creating second level domains for their products and services.
- The trademarks of companies will be secured and protected against cybersquatters.
- Provides new opportunities for website marketing campaigns and strategies.