NamesCon 2024 is just weeks away, and it’s not too late to register to attend.

On today’s show I preview the event with two interviews. First, I speak with Soeren von Varchmin, Chairman of the Advisory Board at NamesCon. Soeren tells us what to expect at this year’s show, including fantastic keynotes with Vint Cerf, Matt Mullenweg, and Paul Mockapetris.

Then, Monte Cahn and Scott Pruitt of Right of the Dot join me to talk about the live domain auction that takes place during NamesCon. There are some great names coming in this auction, and we discuss how to register for the auction to take part in pre-bidding, the live auction, and the extended auction. 

Haven’t registered for NamesCon yet? Listen to the show for a discount code.

Also: Good news for TRX.com owner, Squarespace Domains and more

Sponsor: Sav.com domain transfers

We often hear about domain name sales, but the public sales just scratch the surface. Many more sales are never made public.

Some of these sales happen on DomainAgents. On today’s show, DomainAgents CEO 

Ryan McKegney discloses that his company brokered a three letter domain name for $2 million earlier this year.

Ryan also discusses what he’s seeing in the domain aftermarket right now. Spoiler alert: things are looking up.

Sponsor: Sav.com domain auctions

Darpan Munjal has been a guest on this podcast many times, but he gets a different introduction this time: CEO of Atom. 

That’s because his company Squadhelp recently rebranded as Atom and moved its site to atom.com.

On today’s show, Darpan discusses why his company outgrew its old name and how it used its own platform to review potential names for the rebrand.

He also shares the work the company undertook to prepare for the transition.

Also: .Com doldrums, ID verification, and a weird rebrand

Sponsor: Sell your domains with Sav.com domain landers

Domain buyer broker Bill Sweetman of Name Ninja returns to this show this week with more wacky domain name tales. 

Bill has run into some interesting people while acquiring domain names. On today’s show, you’ll hear the tales of Pedro the Paranoid, The Satisfied Senior, The Lucky Lady, and many more.

And if you want more, be sure to go back to episode #338 for more crazy stories.

Also: Atom, Nissan.com, and GoDaddy Auctions

Sponsor:  Sav.com backorders

It's been just six months since I had Fred Hsu, co-founder of D3, on the podcast. The company has made many announcements since then, and it's becoming clear that it will be one of the more significant portfolio applicants in the next round of new TLDs.

Back on episode 456, Hsu explained how he wanted to bridge web2 and web3 in the right way. We're not talking about alt-root domains. We're talking about helping web3 communities get ICANN-accredited TLDs.

Since then, D3 has announced it will apply for .shib, .core, .gate, .near, .ape, and many other top level domains in agreements with web3 communities.

On today's show, Fred talks about how some of these deals came about, including its unique deal for .ape, in which it received the equivalent of $5 million in ape coin.

Fred also talks about an event D3 is holding in Vegas later this month.

Also: Woo-oh, X’s fumble, stolen domain judgment, NamePros landers and an argument about domains

Sponsor: Sav.com domain transfers

Domain investor Richard Lau joins me on today’s show.

We talk about his $1 million sale of gld.com, and how a domain buyer broker was able to help seal the deal.

Richard also explains why he hopes his sale of passes.com will turn into much more than the $70,000 purchase price, and what he’s telling companies that use .ai domain names. 

Sponsor: Sav.com domain auctions

Oh, Canada! This week I chat with domain investor Frank Mardian, founder of the DN.ca domain name forum popular with Canadian domain name investors.

Frank talks about becoming interested in websites when he ran a Mercedes Benz dealership, and how he started collecting domains.

We discuss some nuances of the .ca domain name extension, how Frank avoids domain sales commissions, and much more.

Also: .IO domains, price caps, and Handshake.

Sponsor: Sell your domains with Sav.com domain landers

Jeff Neuman has just about seen it all in the domain business over the past few decades. The former VP of Registry at Neustar currently serves as a lawyer and policy consultant and is the chief legal officer of Dot Hip Hop.

Jeff has attended 72 (!) of the 79 ICANN meetings and was in Puerto Rico this month for the latest meeting. On today’s show, Jeff shares what happened at the meeting regarding the next round of new TLDs, registration data requests, and what went on behind the scenes.

And with another one of his hats, Jeff talks about what it’s like being a UDRP panelist. 

Also: Temu, RDNH, top keywords

Sponsor:  Sav.com backorders

Last year the world’s most popular YouTuber, Mr. Beast, changed his merch store domain to .store and promoted the switch in a video viewed nearly 200 million times.

On today’s show, Radix CEO Sandeep Ramchandani explains how his company worked over many months to strike a deal with Mr. Beast.

We also discuss other influencer and other marketing campaigns Radix has run and how it calculates a return on the investment. 

Additionally, Sandeep sheds some light on how Radix’s top level domains performed last year.

Also: A golden domain, sales landers blocked, Squadhelp features and more. 

Sponsor: Sav.com domain transfers

Chris Koerner reminds me of a lot of people in the domain business: he has his hands in multiple businesses ranging from tree trimming to cryptocurrency to reselling Buc-ee’s goods.

He partners with lots of founders to start businesses, and recently paid $65,000 to acquire cofounders.com to promote this opportunity.

On today’s show, Chris talks about why he acquired the domain and what the process was like buying it through Godaddy. He also discusses the time he pitched John McAffee on a crypto project. That experience will show you his grit and determination.

Also: My domain sales/acquisitions in 2024, Squarespace, .Food, and more.

Sponsor: Sav.com domain auctions