Demand Media Files For IPO – Isn’t Profitable… Yet

Demand Media’s IPO prospectus indicates the company isn’t yet profitable. In 2009 Demand Media made a loss of $21.9 million on revenues of $198 million. In the first half of 2010, the company made a loss of $6 million on revenues of $108 million.

Check out the detailed coverage over at Kikabink News.

PETA Wants Sex.com

PETA has announced their desire to acquire sex.com. Executive Vice President has written this letter to Dom Partners LLC stating:

“Visitors to the newly revamped Sex.com site could watch our sexy Super Bowl ads like “Veggie Love” (about how a vegan diet can enhance your time between the sheets) or watch Alicia Silverstone’s naked testimonial—living proof that a vegan diet does a body good.

They could gaze on sultry ads featuring gorgeous vegetarians, like Pamela Anderson and Owain Yeoman, or join the action and participate in one of our Sexiest Vegetarian contests. They could also read about the many vegan foods that are natural aphrodisiacs.”

Based purely on the above photo, I think that its a great idea; lets see Sex.com and PETA hook up.

Godaddy Girl Crashes In NASCAR – Video

Danica Patrick was involved in a 12-car crash in Daytona. The accident wasn’t her fault; it occurred after Colin Braun and Josh Wise clashed.

Skysports reports that Patrick said after the race “It’s important to have realistic expectations”. “There’s going to be spikes in performance, I don’t doubt that. But there’s also going to be tough days. And [Saturday], I would say, was more of a tough day.”

Sony Registers playstationarc.com For New Controller

Sony appears to have registered the domain playstationarc.com for its new motion controller – the Arc. However its another site, ps3arc.com which is attracting attention. Many gamers are debating whether or not the site is legitimate, or just a marketing ploy by Sony. The domain was created on 1/20/2010 and is registered to “UnderHost Networks” with additional privacy.

The Arc is scheduled to be unleashed upon its fervent fans during the Fall of 2010.

Pamela Anderson In Crazy Domain Name Video!

This company has obviously been influenced by the Bob Parsons school of highly effective commercials. Warning to our “straight” female readers, you may find this objectionable.

Since watching this commercial, I’ve decided to quit domaining and apply for a job with this organisation.

China Wants Your ID For .CN

Chinese State-Run Media is reporting that CNNIC (China Internet Network Information Center) is requesting that applicants must submit written applications to the registration agents.

The written materials must include an application form with an official seal, an enterprise business license and the registrant’s ID card.

Liu Zhijiang, vice director of CNNIC confirmed the news saying that the administration was determined to screen the applicant’s qualifications strictly to stop individuals obtaining domain names using fake information.

Its been reported that the announcement came after a report by China Central Television (CCTV) which critisized the registration process and linked it to the prevalence of pornographic websites.

Source: Global Times & China Daily.

Russia Adds Domain Name To Olympic Emblem

This is the first time a domain name has been part of an Olympic host city’s emblem.

The word “sochi.ru” appears above the number “2014″ in an apparent reflection, symbolizing the southern city’s water-based location on the Black Sea.

“It’s very appealing. It’s very creative, innovative,” International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge said at Tuesday’s unveiling. “I think it will appeal especially to the young population.”

It’s been reported that the IOC president then asked someone what a “domain name” was.

For those that believe there could be an opportunity – the .com, .net and .org is taken… as is the .ru.

Melbourne IT Appointed To Manage Twitter’s Domain Name Portfolio

Melbourne IT (ASX: MLB), have announced that they have been selected to manage Twitter’s domain name portfolio.

“Melbourne IT could not disclose the contract value but has conceded the Twitter account is reasonably small. Compared to some other clients that hold in excess of 10,000 domains, the social networking company is relatively new and is starting off with only a handful of critical names.”

The two year contract is believed to be centered around Melbourne IT’s Corporate Domain Management solution and includes protection against infringement and malicious web attacks.

Source: Melbourne IT & ARN.

Woman Changes Her Name To Princess-Rainbow.com

Its been reported that a woman in the UK has become the first person to change her name by Deed Poll to a domain name.

24 year old Claire Forshaw changed her name earlier this week to Princess-Rainbow.com.

“I knew that if ever I got the chance I would change [my name] to a web domain, to hopefully become the first. My boyfriend has always told me it cost hundreds of pounds to do, so I just forgot about it”

“When I realised it actually cost as little as £10 my boyfriend said that Princess-Rainbow.com was ideal for me because I am mad on rainbows!”

“My dream has always been to sell my artwork to a wider audience and after studying art at college, me and my friend who has an art degree, said that we would love to go into business together selling our creations. Changing my name has given me that kick-start into pursuing my dream and the new site will feature everything from paintings, textiles, 3D work and jewellery.“

“My name change is great and although my friends have started referring to me by my new name, and my place of work have changed all of the paperwork to include my new name, both my boss and my mum are refusing to call me Princess-Rainbow.com!”

Commentary

To be honest, I’m surprised that certain individuals in the domaining industry haven’t changed their name! Perhaps this will spark a new trend?

I’m going to change my name right now to:

“domaining wire king journal acro elliot whizzbang parked chef”

What do you think? Like my new name? Ohhhh…. what’s that? I can hear the ka-ching of UDRP’s coming!

Sources: Independent and PRUrgent.

Oversee Appoints New CFO and Two Board Members

Elizabeth Murray has been named Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Senior Vice President.  She will report directly to company President Jeff Kupietzky.

Board Members

Allen Morgan – Venture Partner at Mayfield Fund
Scott Jarus – CEO of Cognition Technologies

Background – Elizabeth Murray

• More than 25 years of experience in financial management, strategic investment and M&A activity.

Previously

• Executive Vice President and CFO of Fluid Music Canada, Inc.,
• CFO for RazorGator Interactive Group, Digital Insight Corp, and KornFerry International.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business Studies from Robert Gordon University in Scotland
• Chartered Accountant and member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland.

Murray replaces Stacey M. Peterson, who has resigned to pursue other professional opportunities.

Background – Allen Morgan

• Almost 30 years counseling entrepreneurs
• Closed more than 750 venture capital financings, mergers and acquisitions, and public offerings.

Previously

• Partner at two Silicon Valley law firms, Latham & Watkins and Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati.
• Serves on the boards of directors of BlackArrow, DECA, Electric Cloud, Jobster, Slide, Snap Technologies, Tagged, Perfect Market and Zenprise.
• Undergraduate degree (summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa) from Dartmouth College
• Second bachelor’s and a master’s degree from Oxford University ( Christ Church )
• Juris Doctor from the University of Virginia

Background – Scott Jarus

CEO of Cognition Technologies, Inc., an advanced Semantic Natural Language Processing (NLP) technology company.

Previously

• Chief executive of j2 Global Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: JCOM)
• President and COO of OnSite Access
• Senior management positions at RCN Telecom, Multimedia Medical Systems, and Metromedia Communications.
• Serves on the boards of directors of Cognition Technologies, Global Conference Partners and Ironclad Performance Wear (ICPW.OB), where he is Executive Chairman.
• Bachelor’s and master of Business Administration degrees from the University of Kansas

What do you think about these appointments? Strategic? Financial? Feel free to post a comment.