Managing the launch of your gTLD is a complex and daunting task, with many inter-connected tasks, dependencies, not to mention uncertainties dictated by the ICANN process and even competitors.  As a new gTLD, you only have one chance to launch your gTLD, as it has been proven time and again that it is hard to recover from a sub-optimal launch.  The Benchmark Study of past gTLD launches (http://archive.icann.org/en/topics/new-gtlds/benchmarking-report-15feb10-en.pdf) has shown a successful launch is a great indicator or the overall success of the gTLD and its expected lifetime Domains Under Management.

Architelos is the only consulting firm with principals who have direct and executive level experience in planning, managing and successfully launching new TLDs.  Our launch planning services, includes:

• A strategic plan, to break down your gTLD financial and qualitative objectives into concrete launch expectations and goals
• An overall launch project map, identifying the key milestones, dependencies and the launch critical path
  • Outline of each launch task and deliverable
  • Managing the launch requirements and milestones with your back-end provider
• Defining the organizational resource requirements (both on the project team and if applicable outside)
  • HR organization and resource planning for pre-launch, launch and longer term, including both functional areas as well as head count requirements
  • Defining and structuring the customer service functions
• Technology and resource assessment
  • Devising a cost effective plan to support the optimal resources needed for launch while managing the costs by helping you decide what tech or resources to outsource or bring in house
• Channel Strategy and Set-up
  • Defining your channel recruitment strategy if applicable
  • Or setting up the integrated registrar functionality, technology, process and procedures
• Develop your marketing program pricing and promotions
  • Defining and validating sunrise, landrush and General Availability pricing
  • Defining promotions, structure and terms
• Pioneers, Sunrise and Premium Names planning
  • Creating and managing a “Pioneer Program” if applicable
  • Devising your premium name strategy, including selecting the optimum sales channel, processes and technology platforms as necessary
• Setting up the financial registry systems
  •  Establish your financials to conform to ICANN requirements
  • Defining the chart of accounts, setting up the deferred revenue system
  • Write your new gTLD policies for payments, escrow and auction services
  • Creating an executive management dashboard, defining Key Performance Indicators and management reports needed for launch and post-launch
  • Defining procedures to manage foreign exchange risks
• Defining governance structure, policy and set up
  • Where applicable, defining advisory board structure, makeup, rules, governance and procedures
• Setting up anti-abuse procedures
  • Develop procedures and security requirements to prevent phishing, spam and other gTLD attacks
• Outsource of key other executive management roles to Architelos if needed