Domain Name Wire Podcast

David Ciccarelli, a serial entrepreneur and the mind behind Lake.com, dives into the immense value of a great domain. He shares how acquiring Lake.com for over a million dollars transformed his vacation rental business. Listeners learn about the significance of a category-defining domain, negotiation strategies for high-value deals, and the power of branding. David also discusses innovative features like AI-powered searches and a commission model focused on shared success, showcasing how he's redefining the rental landscape.

James Beck, Head of Growth at ENS Labs, dives into the fascinating world of Ethereum Name Service. He explores the evolution of the .eth domain, detailing its utility for wallets, apps, and payments. James explains ENS's governance by a DAO and its funding model. The conversation highlights crucial topics like privacy, digital identity, and the integration of registries with ENS. Listeners will discover the implications of name collisions and the importance of traditional DNS integration for blockchain naming projects.

Michael Rader, a seasoned domain investor and founder of BrandRoot, shares his journey from a DMV employee to a successful brandable domains entrepreneur. He reveals his recent surge in registering nearly 2,000 domains and reflects on the emotional ties to his portfolio. Listeners learn about the evolution of BrandRoot, its sale, and how insights on market trends shape strategic decisions. Rader also introduces tools that streamline domain research, turning laborious tasks into swift processes while discussing effective pricing strategies and transitioning into full-time investing.

Maria Cypher and Laurel Sutton, co-founders of the successful naming agency Catchword, discuss their journey from branding giants like VW and Upwork to the world of domain investing. They dive into the importance of crafting evocative names and the impact of intentional misspellings. The duo shares insights on domain registration strategies and the critical link between brand identity and online presence. They also reflect on a UDRP dispute, offering valuable lessons in ethical domain negotiations.

Leah Smith, an Assistant Professor at the Walton College of Business, dives into the intriguing world of misspelled brand names. She discusses how these typos can influence consumer perceptions and decision-making. The podcast reveals why some misspellings detrimentally impact brand image and explores creative spelling as a unique branding strategy. Smith also highlights research showing that certain misspelled names can both confuse and attract consumers, emphasizing the fine line brands walk between creativity and clarity.

Mike Cyger, a domain investor and entrepreneur, introduces Nerve.io, an innovative project designed to simplify domain management with advanced API access. He tackles common frustrations with registrar APIs and discusses how Nerve can revolutionize portfolio management and application development. The conversation also delves into transparent pricing strategies, navigating domain valuations, and the importance of humor in community engagement. Insights into domain verification complexities and new tools for valuing domains further enrich this engaging discussion.

In this engaging discussion, Todd Hahn, CEO and founder of Dynadot, shares insights from his rapidly growing domain name registrar. He reveals new initiatives aimed at showcasing aftermarket domains to end users, including the innovative NameClub project. The conversation dives into the complexities of auction management and the rising trend of tokenizing domain names with blockchain tech. Todd also highlights the vibrant Chinese domain market, spurred by increased Alipay transactions, shedding light on emerging TLD trends and investor interests.

Join domain investors Mark Levine of Domain Theory and Logan Flatt of MediaCode as they discuss their 2025 sales results. They reveal impressive sell-through rates and share their strategies for buying and selling domains, including innovative lease-to-own models. The duo dives into the impact of AI on domain investments and explores the dynamics of various domain extensions like .gg and .AI. Their personal anecdotes and insights into market trends provide valuable takeaways for anyone interested in the evolving domain landscape.

Ron Jackson, publisher of DN Journal and an expert in domain name sales, joins the discussion to reveal the booming domain market of 2025. Sales have skyrocketed to $48.7 million, with highlights like the high-value Icon.com. The duo dives into the intrigue of two-letter domains and their allure for Chinese investors. Recent notable transactions include Slash.com and cloud.ai, emphasizing innovative business strategies and the connections to the evolving crypto landscape. The conversation showcases the growing significance of premium domains and the dynamic nature of this digital marketplace.

Carlos Armada, Director of Product at Name.com, dives into the revolutionary impact of AI on the domain name industry. He highlights how Name.com’s new API promotes seamless integration with AI tools. The discussion covers exciting advancements in domain registration, innovative coding solutions, and the evolving needs of both technical users and small businesses. Armada also emphasizes the importance of simplifying domain management for newcomers and the ongoing significance of domain names in the age of tech-driven transformations.