Marco Hoffmann
Head of Domain Services and Product Management — InterNetX GmbH
LinkedIn
FAST FACTS
Session Name: Meet The Expert: Head to Head: Comparing Domain Registrars
Location: Regensburg, Germany
Number of years in the domain industry: 16 years
Favourite extension: .de/.com/.bayern/.club
Domain name you wished you owned: bier.de
Now reading: 11freunde
Now watching: House of Cards
Best city for conferences: Los Angeles, CA
Your mentor: Hakan Ali
Q&A
Describe your company and how long you have been there?
InterNetX is an award-winning ISP, founded in Regensburg, Germany, in 1998. With over 3.8 million managed domains, about 3,000 physical servers and more than 20,000 managed SSL certificates, InterNetX is one of the largest Internet service providers on the international market for resellers and professional users, serving a network of over 25,000 partners worldwide. I’ve been working at InterNetX for more than 15 years.
What can attendees look forward to during your session?
They will find out more about the must-haves for a successful, smooth-running domain and registrar business taking into account future-oriented domain strategies, security aspects and the ongoing transformation of the domain business.
What can attendees do in order to prepare for your session? Are there any questions or scenarios they should consider in advance?
The attendees should examine their current business situation: how they run their portfolio, how they deal with security aspects, which problems they face and what could help to optimize their domain business.
What would you like attendees to learn or take away from your session?
I want to provide participants with new business ideas and show how they can improve their business when looking at it from the view of a registrar.
Can you tell us about how your service or product helps deliver value to your customers?
A well-functioning administration background tool is the basis for a smooth-running domain business. Our domain management software AutoDNS and the services that go with it, such as WhoisProxy, Privacy Service, domain monitoring, parking and monetization tools or secure name server solutions, help our clients run their business efficiently – saving time and money and thus generate more revenue.
What are your thoughts on the new TLDs?
The new gTLDs are a breath of fresh air for the market. They open new business perspectives and provide new cross-selling models.
What kinds of changes do you foresee within the industry in the next year? 5 years?
The awareness for domains, DNS and online activities in general will increase in terms of security, online reputation, online marketing, etc.
What are you most looking forward to at the upcoming NamesCon?
I’m looking forward to meeting all the inspiring people from the industry. Surely, it will be fun to listen to the keynotes, join workshops and discussions, and get new industry insights.
What industry trends or topics do you think will be at the forefront of panel and keynote discussions this year?
I suppose, the focus will lie on new ICANN policies, premium domains and the administration and consolidation of registries of new gTLDs.
Who are you excited to hear speak at NamesCon? Why?
I am curious about what Frank Schilling has to say on the “Future of Domaining” and how Frank sees the future.
What’s something most people don’t know about you?
I love Bayern München.
What advice can you offer those who are just getting their start in the domain industry?
In an evolving business like this, it’s essential to stay up to date. Therefore, beginners should keep an eye out on all industry related topics such as domains, DNS, hosting, SSL and follow industry trends.
What was one of your biggest “Aha!” moments in life?
When I started my job a InterNetX and discovered what’s behind the scene. The Internet and the online business in general is a huge future-oriented industry full of exciting opportunities to create new products, services and ideas.
How does your career compare to what you envisioned in your youth?
I have always been excited about computers – it started with a Commodore64. It’s fantastic that I had the opportunity to turn my passion into my job.
How would you describe what you do in a single sentence to a stranger?
We are a part of the Internet and provide services to use the Internet.
If you had fifteen extra minutes each day, what would you do with them?
I would use the spare time to play soccer with my son.
Latest and greatest accomplishment in your career?
I am happy to work for InterNetX for more then 10 years now – every single day is great. I enjoy making a living with my passion.
Describe a recent challenge, at work or in your personal life, that you overcame.
The birth of my son brought a me new perspective. It’s challenging and wonderful at the same time.
Where is your favourite place to escape?
Bavaria, in Germany.
What was the best advice you were ever given?
Never drink wheat beer out of the bottle, always use a Weißbeer glass.
What object would you put in a time capsule that best represents who you are today?
A Bayern München shirt, a pretzel, a bottle of wheat beer and a Weißbeer glass.
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