Trump .Sucks the Most

VoxPopuli, the company that owns and operates the .Sucks domain name registry, is hosting a .Sucks domain name contest. Here’s what I was told about the contest:

“Starting today, the company announced a marketing rebate of 99 percent on new registrations, and complimentary web hosting for a year to whoever creates the most creative, original personal business or cause-related URL. Winners will be announced on November 14, December 15, and January 15, 2019, which is the day the promotion ends.”

Not surprisingly, I was also told the most popular registration theme entry in 2017 was Donald Trump related domain names. I guess people think he “.Sucks” the most. I would not be surprised if the same theme hold true again this year, although US Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh could potentially give President Trump a run for his money.

For those who are interested in entering the contest, the press release and details are below. More information about the contest, along with important details and disclaimers, can be found on the contest website, TellUsWhat.Sucks.

Personally, I think the contest prize could be a bit more inspiring than a 99% rebate and free hosting, but I wouldn’t enter the contest either way so my opinion probably doesn’t matter much.

Press release:

NEW YORK — (OCTOBER 15, 2018) — VoxPopuli, the registry that owns and sells online destinations under the .sucks domain, today announced a marketing rebate of 99 percent on new registrations, and complimentary web hosting for a year to whoever creates the most creative, original personal business or cause-related URL. The categories are as follows:

Most Creative Marketing Site/Campaign
Most Interesting Consumer Complaint Site
Bravest Branded Feedback Forum
Most Creative New Business Idea
Most Inspiring Cause-Related Site/Campaign

As such, registrar platforms, such as Gandi, Uniregistry, Lexsynergy, and Rebel.com, can offer .sucks domains for one year to their customers at a retail price of $9.99 (down from $249) or $29.99 (instead of $2,499) for market-premium domains. Vox Populi first launched this annual promotion January 2 2017, and it ran until May 6, 2017.

Participants can enter their ideas at www.telluswhat.sucks

That first rebate program resulted in a boost to registrars’ average sustained growth of more than 30 percent in .sucks domains under management during the first and second year of renewal, according to VoxPopuli. The success of that first rebate campaign drove the launch of this second campaign, which begins October 1, 2018 and runs through January 15, 2019.

Participating registrars also experienced a 51% increase in domains under management and an encouraging renewal rate averaging 25% under this offer last year.

“Trust of brands is at an all-time low. Almost 50% of customers don’t believe a company will take any notice of their feedback,” said Christina Beavis, COO of VoxPopuli. “And 94% of consumers look at online reviews before making a purchase. Purchasing a unique domain platform such as ours can demonstrate that they are truly willing to listen to customer issues and create customer advocates. Brands that are not serious about customer service need not apply.”

Frustrated consumers often resort to calling out brands on social channels because they don’t feel heard, Beavis added. “The whole premise of .sucks is to stand up and admit you are not perfect. We want brands to convert an upset customer into a brand advocate.”

Offering the first-year domain registration at a significant rebate, enables brands to see the value of owning their .sucks domain as a hub for open, honest, transparent communication with their constituents.

This time around, a portfolio of ready-to-use artwork and design assets are available for .sucks, enabling registrars to easily communicate the program details to their customers. Creative assets also will promote cancer.sucks, enabling registrars to attach their campaigns to Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October.

The most popular registration themes during the first rebate offer in 2017 were as follows:
Donald Trump-related URLs
Consumers purchasing brands .sucks sites and putting up a complaint site
Small businesses wanting a creative domain to promote themselves
Brands purchasing their own .sucks sites

Winners will be announced on November 14, December 15, and January 15, 2019, which is the day the promotion ends.

About VoxPopuli
VoxPopuli Registry provides unique opportunities to market, elevate and protect brands. Only the most trusted, transparent and honest brands will ever know the total clarity that a .sucks domain delivers. Whether housing creative marketing campaigns, protecting against negative buzz, or providing a hub for candid critiques, .sucks brands and causes are obsessed with helping solve communications challenges and “brand dissonance” to shape new realities. Brands handle in-market challenges by owning their sh*t under the .sucks domain to inspire innovation through passionate discussion.