Expert view: John Berard

With the release of applications for the new gTLD process, we asked a number of industry experts for their views of what the information shows.

John Berard

CEO, Voxpopuliregistry.com

What is your overall feeling about the applications?
I was impressed with the mix of applicants. Some came from branded companies, some from long-time domain industry players and still others from entrepreneurs who see the possibilities inherent in the expansion of the Internet landscape. I feel very good that each one projects a credible business proposition.

What are you most surprised by?
How tightly the opportunity clearly was embraced by marketing executives. The applications show that Fiat wants to create a global fleet of dot-abarth, Chanel hopes to make the Internet more alluring with dot-chanel, Bridgestone wants to improve its mileage by installing dot-firestone and Dot Vegas wants everything to stay in dot-vegas.

What are you most excited about?
I am most excited about the chance to break new ground. DotSucks may seem a rude label, but the chance to bring criticism out of the dark corners of the Internet and make it a part of the dialog that can lead to new products, better service and deeper customer loyalty is important work.

What are you most irritated about?
Not irritated but certainly anxious about the time between now that we know which applications have been filed and which will be successful.

What application(s) stand out to you as particularly interesting?
The applications that interest me most are those that seek to create a new hub for industries or activities that have so far been distributed across the Internet. The benefits for consumers and companies are clear; so is the opportunity for new companies to arise in these new town squares.

What application(s) would you give the WTF Award to?
That is way above my pay grade.

John Berard is CEO of VoxPopuliRegistry which has applied for the dot-sucks gTLD.