ICANNWiki

DOTZON

Organization
Type Commercial
Focus Internet
Country
    City Berlin
    Founded 2005
    Founders Dirk Krischenowski,
    Johannes Lenz-Hawliczek
    Katrin Ohlmer
    Websites

    DOTZON is a consultancy based in Berlin, Germany, specializing in digital identities and top-level domains (TLDs). The company advises brands, cities, organizations, and communities on planning, launching, and operating their own domain extensions, such as dotBrand and geoTLDs. Its work includes strategic, operational, and marketing support throughout the TLD lifecycle.

    DOTZON was founded in 2005 by Dirk Krischenowski, Johannes Lenz-Hawliczek, and Katrin Ohlmer.

    Overview

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    The company provides consulting services across the entire TLD lifecycle, from the initial idea and ICANN application process to launch and ongoing operation. DOTZON also operates the .berlin and .hamburg TLDs.

    DOTZON conducts and publishes market analyses on digital visibility and brand use of TLDs. These include the annual “Digitale Stadtmarken (Digital City Brands)” study (since 2017) and “Digitale Unternehmensmarken (Digital Company Brands)” study (since 2018), which examine how cities and companies use their digital identities.

    Services

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    DOTZON’s services include:

    • Strategic consulting for TLD projects
    • Feasibility assessments, including legal and risk evaluations
    • Development of business and financial plans
    • Registration policy design
    • Market research and technical provider selection
    • Application preparation and process support
    • Project management during launch
    • Marketing and communications strategies for TLD promotion
    • Operational support, such as abuse management and data analysis

    DOTZON participated in ICANN’s Applicant Support Program in 2012, providing pro bono assistance for the .hiv application.

    Clients

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    In the 2012 new gTLD round, DOTZON advised over 30 initiatives and wrote 24 applications, all of which were approved. Clients included Volkswagen, Stada, Ikano, and Lamborghini. The company has supported launches for TLDs such as .wien, .tirol, .ruhr, .bayern, .koeln, .hotel, .gmbh, .reise, .versicherung, and .hiv.

    Examples of TLD use by DOTZON clients include:

    ICANN Engagement

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    DOTZON’s leadership participates in ICANN policy-making processes.

    Dirk Krischenowski, Head of Business Development and co-founder, has been active in promoting geoTLDs since 2005, including presenting on cityTLDs at the December 2005 ICANN meeting. He initiated a special interest group for geoTLDs, which led to the creation of the geoTLD.group, and is involved in the Registries Stakeholder Group.

    Katrin Ohlmer, CEO and co-founder, has participated in various ICANN processes, including the Vertical Integration Working Group PDP (2009–2010), the Domain Name Marketplace Indicators advisory panel (2016–2019), the Policy Development Process for New gTLD Subsequent Procedures (2015–2021), and Work Track 5: Geographic Names at the Top-Level. From 2023 to 2025, she was a member of the Subsequent Procedures Implementation Review Team.

    Industry Outlook

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    As ICANN prepares for the next new gTLD application round, interest in dotBrand domains, geoTLDs, cityTLDs, and community-based TLDs has been increasing.

    References

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