Andrew Allemann
Editor — Domain Name Wire
Twitter: @domainnamewire | Facebook: /domainnamewire
FAST FACTS
Location: Austin, TX
Domain name you wish you owned: Austin.com
Favourite extension: I don’t play favorites, but I mostly own .com.
Currently reading: Little Fires Everywhere. It helped me think about how life experiences shape how we act.
Your mentor: My local entrepreneurs group.
Q&A
Describe your company. How long have you been there and what led you to this career choice? DomainNameWire.com is the longest running blog covering the business of domain names. It started in March 2005 as a side project and then morphed into a nearly full-time job.
NamesCon is all about business networking. Can you tell us a story about the success of a meeting at NamesCon?
Many great stories on Domain Name Wire originated from conversations at NamesCon. If you have a great story to tell, be sure to find me in January.
Can you tell us about how your service or product helps deliver value to your customers?
My readers are domain name investors, domain registries, domain registrars, corporate brand managers and website developers. I strive to publish succinct, clear news stories and tutorials that help them succeed.
How does your career compare to what you envisioned in your youth?
I always thought I’d be an investment banker. But then entrepreneurship called.
How would you describe what you do in a single sentence to a stranger?
I own a niche media business for the domain name industry.
What are your thoughts on the new TLDs?
The reality has set in that demand for new domain options isn’t as high as people expected. However, when you remove all of the noise and registration volume gaming, there’s a slow and steady march up for many of the companies offering these domains.
What kinds of changes to you foresee within the industry in the next year? The next 5 years?
Look for new technologies to change how people use the web. These changes will impact how people use domain names, too.
Who would you like to hear speak at NamesCon? Why?
I’m interested in listening to anyone I haven’t heard before, especially people from outside the industry who might have lessons for the domain business.
What are you most looking forward to at the upcoming NamesCon?
NamesCon is like an annual reunion. I love catching up with people I don’t get to see in person throughout the year.
What industry trends or topics do you think will be at the forefront of panel and keynote discussions this year?
There’s no doubt that people will be talking about cryptocurrencies even though they have little to do with domains. Blockchain actually could have something to do with domains, so I’ll pay attention to what’s going on there and try to separate the hype from reality.
What was one of your biggest “A-ha!” moments in life?
When I was in college and sold my first developed website on eBay. I think I developed it using Microsoft Frontpage or HotDog.
If you had 15 extra minutes each day, what would you do with them?
Read The Economist.
What are you proudest of in your life?
I’m proud of getting a 4.0 GPA in college. But my wife likes to remind me that no one cares what I did in college.
What was the best surprise you’ve experienced so far in life?
I think that would be when the St. Louis Cardinals came back twice in Game 6 of the 2011 World Series.
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