Services

Strategic consulting for domain industry-related problems

I advise domain registries, registrars, RSPs, TLD applicants, and related organizations facing high-stakes decisions around growth, compliance, market entry, DNS abuse, and operations. My role is to help you move faster and with less risk by bringing practical judgment, industry context, and hands-on experience from thirty years inside the domain name business.

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Here is a sampling of what I’ve actually done, because experience is most useful when it is tied to outcomes:

I helped build the dotMobi (.mobi) TLD from zero registrations to over one million paid active domains under management, a Top 20 registry operator out of about 270 worldwide at the time, by constructing a 250+ reseller network across 120 countries, then assisted in its acquisition by Afilias (now within Identity Digital) and stayed on to launch two new product lines globally.

I co-managed a successful MIIT accreditation process in China for TLD Registry Ltd., meeting directly and repeatedly with ministry officials and other stakeholders in China to secure formal government approval in 2017. That process doesn’t have a manual. It requires patience, relationships, and the ability to navigate systems designed to be opaque.

I managed a live RSP backend migration for two TLDs already in General Availability, one of the most technically and operationally fraught transitions a registry can undertake, without disrupting registrants.

I built the original go-to-market sales and product marketing functions for iQ Global’s AI-powered DNS abuse management and domain analytics platforms, closing business across 180+ TLDs and ccTLDs and repositioning the company brand in the market from RegistryOffice to iQ.

I launched two brand protection products, AbuseShield and BrandLock, through corporate registrar channels, and brought an API version to market via partnership with Dynadot.

The problem: Many applicants underestimate the effort required to turn a promising idea into a credible, well-prepared application. The real challenge is not just filing. It is building a sound strategy, making the right partner choices, and preparing for the operational and sales realities that follow delegation.

I help applicants evaluate whether they should apply, shape the business and operating case, and navigate the path from concept through application planning and beyond. This is especially useful for applicants who want senior guidance without having to assemble every piece themselves.

• Feasibility assessment and strategic planning
• Application preparation, including business, branding, compliance, and technical considerations
• Project management and timeline support
• Introductions to trusted RSPs, advisors, and specialist partners

New gTLDs, Next Round: Who Really Wins This Time?

Four under-discussed questions worth adding to a 2026 dotBrand TLD decision checklist

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The problem: Once a TLD or registry-related business is operating, commercial, policy, technical, and channel issues rarely stay neatly separated. Growth can stall because of distribution, operations, partner strategy, market fit, or regulatory friction, and often more than one at the same time.

I advise established operators and service providers who need practical, senior-level support in business development, operational direction, channel strategy, market expansion, and ecosystem relationships. I can also help organizations navigate China-related opportunities and constraints, where local knowledge and stakeholder management matter.

• Registry and registrar business development
• Partner and channel strategy
• RSP-related advisory and operational coordination
• China market entry, accreditation context, and commercial development
• Strategic support for growth, positioning, and resilience

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The problem: DNS abuse is no longer just a compliance issue. It is a trust, reputation, contractual, and operational issue, and many organizations still struggle to connect policy expectations with workable detection, mitigation, and response programs. I see this area getting more attention and international accountability in the coming years.

I help registries, registrars, and ecosystem providers evaluate practical solutions, sharpen their abuse posture, and identify the right partners, tools, and messaging. This includes both strategic advisory and business development support for organizations building or adopting abuse-related solutions.

• Thought leadership, education, and strategic communications
• Solution evaluation and vendor guidance
• Business development partnerships for abuse detection and mitigation services
• Policy and compliance strategy related to DNS abuse and security

The problem: Trademark holders, registries, and registrars need more proactive ways to prevent abusive registrations before harm is done, but many still rely on reactive workflows that are costly, duplicative, or too slow.

I advise on approaches that connect brand protection goals to scalable operational solutions, including domain-blocking models, channel strategy, and the commercialization of protective services.

• Domain blocking and brand protection strategy
• Commercialization support for protective products and services
• Registrar and registry channel positioning
• Practical guidance on prevention-focused approaches

Why Reliable Whitelists Matter as Much as Blocklists: Introducing Reputable Domains

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A note on how I work

I’ve spent the past 14 years operating as an independent contractor, working remotely across multiple time zones and continents. My clients get direct access to 30 years of relevant context and a network built over decades — not a junior team member who escalates to me.

That said, I’m always open to discussing full-time roles with no existing client conflicts. If you’re looking for senior-level domain industry expertise on a permanent basis, let’s talk about whether it’s the right fit.