Bill Sweetman shared an interesting job opening that he saw, and I want to share it with you. H&M, a trendy clothing store with retail stores across the world, is looking to hire a Search & Domain Strategist. The reason I found it interesting is that the company has specifically listed domain names as a tool in its SEO strategy.
Here are a few of the requirements I found most interesting, with respect to domain names (full details can be seen within the job listing):
- Create and maintain the search and domain name strategy, coordinating with stakeholders across the company.
- Act as an advisor to legal department and all H&M brands on acquisition and legal actions for domain names and domain name owners profiting our brand.
- Keep up to date with trends in search and domain name industry.
I find it interesting that the company is not only looking for someone to help protect the H&M brand when it comes to domain names, but they also appear to be interested in buying or owning domain names that would be helpful to them in selling product.
DomainTools shows that there are over 500 domain names owned by H&M Hennes & Mauritz AB, the registrant of the brand’s primary HM.com domain name. Some of these domain names include COS.CO, CircusSale.com, and many others that appear to be directly related to its brand. I am not sure if the company owns or operates descriptive domain names, but perhaps this new hire will take the company in that direction.
A number of large companies in the clothing space own excellent descriptive domain names. For instance, Zappos/Amazon owns Clothes.com, Burlington Coat Factory owns Coat.com, JC Penny owns Gift.com, Ralph Lauren owns Rugby.com, and there are many others as well.
It’s good to see a multi-national retailer like H&M realize the importance of domain names by hiring someone in that space who isn’t focused solely on the legal aspect of the job.
Thanks to Bill Sweetman for sharing the job listing with me to share with you.
Except a job requirement is
• Ability to effectively communicate information and ideas in written and verbal format, in both Swedish and English
Kan skära ner på antalet sökande
It is very encouraging to see the domain field growing and establishing itself within corporate industry.
The Swedish communication and writing requirement practically eliminates many candidates. Acting as an advisor to the legal department requires experience in the legal field. It is like trying to sell the perfect name to the only end-user in the world that will pay top dollars, whereas no other entity will pay even 10%.
Good luck on H&M finding this person. It will be interesting if the hire is skilled in all those requirements.
Excellent piece of information! I believe domain names/SEO will become an important part of the retail strategy/marketing functions of any major corporation. How about a new job title called CDO (Chief Domain Officer)?
I believe these concepts of domaining within the corporate industry fall under PR and advertising of a company….and that the actual domain of the business should be taken into account as part of the Goodwill calculation, imo. : \
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