Strong demand shown for new Top-Level Domains as ARI Registry Services wins 21 new contracts in the first seven days of the application window.

ARI Registry Services today announced it signed contracts to provide technical registry services for 21 new Top-Level Domains within the first week of applications opening.

Adrian Kinderis, CEO of ARI Registry Services, said signing 21 contracts in the first week was the perfect start to the application window.

“The opening of the application window on 12 January has clearly motivated applicants to get moving on this unique, yet limited opportunity. We immediately witnessed an influx of enquiries and 21 contracts had been signed by the end of the week,” Mr Kinderis said. “The majority of these contracts are .brand TLDs, representing some the largest and most recognisable brands around the world. This indicates that the time of procrastination is over. Applicants need to move now or run the risk of missing out.”

According to an analysis by ARI Registry Services, brands have shown the strongest interest (60% of interest) in applying for a new Top-Level Domain, followed by entrepreneurs (30% of interest) and then governments or other groups (10% of interest) wanting to represent their city or region online. An analysis of the industries shows technology brands (20%) lead the pack, closely followed by banks and other financial service providers (11%).

Mr Kinderis said he expects to make public client announcements with major brands in the near future. He also noted there is now no doubt about the level of demand for new Top-Level Domains.

“Critics of the program have suggested there is little demand for new domains. However, from the results we have seen in the first week of applications, we can clearly see strong demand exists.”

Although the first week saw a strong result, Mr Kinderis warned that many potential applicants were still sitting on the fence with a ‘wait and see’ mentality.

“We have clients that are still undecided about whether they should apply. They have been put off by the negativity that has been surrounding the program. There have been delays and speculation. There is also a misguided perception amongst some that they can wait until the next round to secure their brand or generic category name. My message to those clients is that there is no certainty about when there will be another round. Potential applicants need to understand that if they take a ‘wait and see’ approach, they may miss out all together,” Mr Kinderis said.

The application window for new Top-Level Domains (TLDs) opened on 12 January. ARI Registry Services signed the 21 contracts in the seven day period between 12 and 19 January. Due to confidentiality agreements, ARI Registry Services is unable to reveal any specific details about the contracts. The names of the clients, along with all the other clients ARI Registry Services is working with, will be revealed on 1 May 2012 when ICANN publishes the list of applications it has received.