First Demand Media, Now NameMedia: the Domains Market is Really Heating Up

Paul Sloan at Business 2.0 reports that NameMedia has acquired AfterNIC. (Paul's the author of the Bob Parsons article I mentioned last week.)

I just checked out NameMedia's website. Like Demand Media, they too focus on monetizing traffic to unused domains, rather than selling hosting-related products to domain owners. They currently manage 1 million+ "search destinations and online properties" (aka domains). The AfterNIC deal adds another 1.8 million domains.

Kelly Conlin, NameMedia's CEO, began his career at CNN and the New York Times before becoming the CEO of first IDG, then Primedia. He brings his traditional media background to creating "a proprietary publishing platform that creates revenue-generating search destinations, including the company's network of vertical online properties in over 100 categories that include travel, finance, dating, health, shopping and technology".

I think I like Demand Media CEO Richard Rosenblatt's approach better. He brings his MySpace experience to building a "lazy-man's media company", where accidental visitors who land on unoccupied domains are encouraged to contribute content, participate in discussions, and become regulars. It's great to monetize every point of contact, but even better to do so repeatedly!

In any case, neither newer player is following in GoDaddy's domain buyers as hosting prospects business model. Maybe Bob, too, should consider expanding his monetization strategy?