Domain investors see it time and time again. "Big Companies" rolling out a product/service and give it a name and make press releases without having the domain name to match it.
This time a total of 7 companies go in on "slotMusic" . Four major music labels, Scandisk, Best Buy Inc. and Wal-Mart. Didn’t just ONE of these companies have somebody wise enough to even think of the domain name slotMusic.com? I guess Not!
slotMusic are little Scandisk micro cards like the ones in your digital cameras, but these will be designed to hold music. Many computers, Mp3, TV’s etc already accept the card so I could see this really taking off. They are much smaller then a "CD" and they give the music companies a great option to offer A Lot more to the customer in a tiny package.
So it looks like some little band will be getting contacted for a deal, but it’s not the "Record Deal" they will be looking for. It’s because they "got it" and had the domain name that matched their band and now a new service/product is using the name as well.
You can read more about the slotMusic disk here. Source: Yahoo.com
UPDATE: I contacted the owner of SlotMusic.com and he said he "just sold the domain" but would not reveal to who. Checking whois this morning, it appears that Stratis Marketing is now the new owner. This does not appear to be a big company and is likely not a company hired by the 7 backing the slotMusic.
Trendicator
doesn’t it happen all the time?! all the major companies have got their own marketing team, and you just wonder if they’re domain-savvy enough to work there
Damir
If the domain name sells will see what $ amount is sells for
**Jamie Says**
I contacted the owner and he said “he just sold it”! I asked if he could provide the buyers information and I didn’t get a reply. It was either a wise buyer, or one of the 7 companies came knocking…
vic
I was working at an internet convention at a registrars booth several years back when a stately gentleman sat down beside me. After chit-chatting about the importance (and ignorance) of companies acquiring domain names prior to a big launch, the guy tells me he was the original owner of AOL.com … now considering this was a year or two AFTER AOL (the giant of IPSP’s at the time) was off and rolling – it boggled my mind.
He eventually settled for a modest amount for the domain but did land one of the cushiest ‘do nothing’ jobs with unbelievable benefits for his generosity. What a world ….
Mickie Kennedy
The smart companies do their due-diligence during branding/marketing by locking up (or getting prices/contracts in place) for domains and potential brands. I’ve personally signed what would have been a lucrative sale – but it didn’t result in sale. I did receive a good fee for reserving the domain for 90 domains. Anyone who ignores this level of IP protection will suffer the consequences — and make their attorneys fat and happy.
Russ
I guess the big guys will be catching up eventually. I think the recent sale of that name means something is moving in the right direction. Shows the power of a good generic.
eblog
Good piece.