Around the Net
Big Apple After .NYC Suffix
- The New York Times, Thursday, March 22, 2012 12:18 PM
The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, which oversees the Internet address system, recently approved the creation of a large number of new “top-level” domains. Not wasting any time, New York City is preparing to apply for a new Internet domain with a .nyc suffix, reports The New York Times’ City Room blog.
“Businesses have long jockeyed for an address on Fifth Avenue -- and the city is now hoping it can create a similar phenomenon online,” it writes. To land the suffix, the big apple is reportedly seeking a contract with a Virginia-based company, which is going to apply for the domain and operate and market it on the city’s behalf. The company will pay the upfront costs, while the city will get a share of revenue, City Room reports. Under the five-year contract, it is guaranteed at least $3.6 million. Worldwide, London, Berlin, Paris, and Barcelona have already said that they plan on seeking domains.
However, Rachel Sterne, New York City’s chief digital officer, said she believed New York is currently the only major city in the United States to be pursuing one. What do businesses think of the possibility of getting hold of the sexy suffix? It’s a no-brainer, says Kevin Ryan, founder and CEO of ecommerce giant Gilt Groupe. “The domain space is a very lucrative space,” he tells City Room. “Would I buy kevinryan.nyc? Yes.”
