ICANN Collects $350 Million in gTLD Application Fees

ICANN has revealed some shocking numbers for its new generic top-level domain (gTLD) applications. Since the application window opened in January, ICANN has received over 2,091 applicants and collected $350 Million. The application window closed April 12.

It is not clear exactly what ICANN is going to do with all that money, as it is a non-profit organization and is now well over its budget. What is clear, however, is that there will be quite a few new gTLD once the dust settles. ICANN has temporarily taken the TAS (TLD Application System) offline to fix some glitches, but will reopen it soon so that the applications can complete the final phases of the application process.

Top-level domains (TLD) currently number in the tens, ranging from the most common, such as .COM, .NET, .ORG, and .EDU, to the most obscure, such as .WEB. Each country also has a country-code TLD associated with it. The plan to open up the gTLD creation process, which would make more generic TLDs like .COM and .NET, was met with some opposition, but ICANN has proceeded with the plan.

Eventually, ICANN will release a list of the new organizations that will essentially own a chunk of the Internet. Some municipalities, such as Rome, Italy (.ROMA), made their intentions to create gTLDs very well know. Others will remain cloaked in mystery until ICANN unveils their names. The application fee for purchasing a gTLD was $180,000 USD. For those organizations unable to afford the large fee, ICANN initiated the New gTLD Applicant Support Program, setting aside $2 million as seed money for “needy applicants”. It also provided access to pro bono services.

Eurovision 2013 and Why “What If” Won’t Ever Happen, Not Ever

This year’s Eurovision contest showed promise. Promise of human beings coming together in Europe, maybe across the world. Now, days after Denmark’s Emmelie de Forest, sanging the winning song in the finale, Only Teardrops the idea and ideology still enshrouds Europe. With Azerbaijan launching an investigation into its own voting schema, and an enrage Russian fan base, the Europe of medieval times just doesn’t seem so far off.

Jon Ola Sand, Executive Supervisor of the Eurovision Song Contest - Courtesy Eurovision

ZOA Calls for Israel Commentary on Netzarim Junction Affair

The Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) is calling for the state of Israel to hold a press conference to address a new investigation into what they say is a libelous past report on a Palestinian youth shooting.

A world, a people, outraged by reporting of an incident - courtesy Al Durah Project

EXCLUSIVE: Columbia Sportswear Sends Out RFP

Just in, Columbia Sportswear has sent out a request for proposal (RFP) for entertainment marketing firms to attend a coming campaign to focus on the Columbia Sportswear target demographic. Columbia Sportswear Company owns Columbia, Mountain Hardwear, SOREL, Montrail and the Pacific Trail brands, but according to the request questionnaire the company sent out, the focus will be exclusively for the Columbia brand name.

Ronn Torossian on Brand Angelina Jolie

With Angelina Jolie being lauded as a hero worldwide for her valiant effort to have a preventative double mastectomy, there’s also the BRAND and PR story of Angelina Jolie. Even previous to this, Jolie’s brand has shined – Best-selling PR Book “For Immediate Release: Shape Minds, Build Brands, and Deliver Results with Game-Changing Public Relations” by CEO of 5WPR Ronn Torossian had a section on Jolie.