I just received word that geodomain owner, Jess Bookstaff Doppelt, has added Sausalito.com to her portfolio, which already includes PigeonForge.com, Durango.com, and TheVirginIslands.com.
The domain name was purchased from Fred Mercaldo and of Scottsdale.com and Red Apple Domains of Scottsdale, Arizona. Although the purchase price was not disclosed, it had been previously on the market for $150,000 in 2008, prior to the site’s launch on Mercaldo’s City in the Box platform.
According to Jess, “2010 has been an incredible year for me. Acquiring Sausalito.com is the perfect ending. I’m looking forward to what 2011 has to bring.”
This certainly has been a great year for Jess. As you can tell from the addition in her name, Jess was married earlier in the year to a dermatologist from Knoxville, where they currently reside with their two children.
Congratulations to Jess on these big acquisitions!
Press Release Below:
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. –December 9, 2010 –Knoxville, Tennessee based PigeonForge.com, Durango.com and TheVirginIslands.com, leading online advertising websites for premier vacation destinations, added Sausalito.com to their portfolio.
“I’m thrilled to bring Sausalito.com our expertise in promoting this unique and popular vacation destination online,” says Jessica Bookstaff Doppelt, president. “Our success with PigeonForge.com, Durango.com and TheVirginIslands.com again shows an overwhelming and resounding interest in Geo Domains as superior online resources for vacation planning as well as a valuable domain asset. Sausalito.com has the name recognition that is a natural choice for information about Sausalito, CA and the surrounding bay area.”
Doppelt purchased the domain from Fred Mercaldo of Scottsdale.com and Red Apple Domains of Scottsdale, Arizona. “Our CitiesPlanet project of developing 65 City.com brands has taken all of my time and attention, not allowing me to properly focus on one of my favorite cities in the country, Sausalito. Since Jessica has been both a friend and business associate of mine for years, knowing that it is now under her control and ownership makes me happy. Her expertise in developing these boutique destination geo portals is proven, and Sausalito.com fits into her network perfectly. I tend to get emotionally attached to our City.com projects, but knowing that I can still stay somewhat involved with Sausalito.com through working with Jessica makes it much easier.
Doppelt plans to build on the strengths of Sausalito.com by adding the features most popular with other destination domains. The focus will be on providing original and updated content to bring new visitors to the site and keep them coming back for more. “Blogs, social media, eNewsletters, and local events are the most popular features in addition to the directory of local businesses that help visitors plan their vacation.” Doppelt says.
Doppelt, owner of PigeonForge.com, Durango.com and TheVirginIslands.com, has been active in the Internet industry since 1998, managing marketing and public relations initiatives. She is an early leader in promoting vacation destinations through effective site design, social media and content management with the goal to increase overall revenue, visitor retention and satisfaction. Sausalito.com is her fourth Geo Domain acquisition. She is actively involved as a board member of CASA of East Tennessee (Court Appointed Special Advocates), a mentor with knoxAchieves and an instructor with Operation Boot Camp. She resides in Knoxville, TN with her husband and two children.