[news release] Mayor Bill de Blasio today announced that the first .nyc websites have gone live. The owners of these domain names, officially called “.nyc Founders,” represent a diverse group of New Yorkers—including First Lady Chirlane McCray—and organizations from across the five boroughs who applied to be among the first to get a .nyc domain.

The .nyc domain is part of the creation of a new class of generic top-level domains (gTLDs) that will greatly expand the web’s domain name system. With the historic launch of .nyc, the City of New York has become one of the first cities in the world with a top-level domain, creating a unique opportunity for local businesses, organizations and residents to brand themselves online and to showcase their affiliation with New York City. The .nyc domain will launch to the public on October 8, giving all New Yorkers the chance to claim their own piece of the City’s high-demand digital real estate. Learn more: on.nyc.gov/UX6DEp

“It’s exciting to see New York City’s official domain coming to life with the launch of our first .nyc Founder websites,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “Our .nyc Founders include an eclectic mix of small businesses, well-known brands, non-profit organizations, entrepreneurs, artists, agencies and individuals embodying the spirit and opportunity of New York City—including our First Lady Chirlane McCray—who are using their .nyc web addresses to share their stories, develop their businesses, engage with their communities, and support their fellow New Yorkers. Today, we move one step closer toward placing our city on the digital map and allowing more New Yorkers to own a small piece of cyberspace.”

The .nyc Founders were given the opportunity to publish their websites early in an effort to showcase .nyc domains to the public, and will be featured in many of the City’s pre-launch marketing and awareness building initiatives.

“It’s moving day for #FLONYC! Today, my blog leaves ‘dot com’ behind and moves on to the newest and coolest destination on the web – “dot nyc.” And I’m thrilled to be a part of its historic launch,” said First Lady Chirlane McCray, one of the Founders and Chair of the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City. “The address may have changed, but the content and purpose of my home on the web remains the same: to help tell the stories too often untold in our city, by documenting and sharing my work as First Lady of New York City.”

The First Lady will be relocating her personal blog to flo.nyc, where she chronicles her work as First Lady in an effort to shine the light on the people and stories of New York City. Read more: flo.nyc

“I’m so proud to have sponsored the City Council resolution that helped create the .nyc domain. It’s a new beginning on the web for small businesses and organizations to brand themselves as uniquely and specifically made in NYC,” Manhattan Borough President Gale A. Brewer said. “The sheer range of those participating in .nyc Founders shows the vast potential for what .nyc can become,” said Manhattan Borough President, Gale A. Brewer.

“I’m thrilled that .nyc has taken this next step and has established Founders,” said Council Member James Vacca, Chair of the Committee on Technology. “It’s great to see. nyc being utilized by a variety of businesses, including iconic brands, small businesses and up-and-coming entrepreneurs, and I look forward to this domain helping companies across New York City reach more people and grow stronger.”

“The first .NYC sites are going live, and the best city in the world is about to get better with its own dot NYC domain,” said Council Member Ben Kallos a website developer. “This opportunity to support our city’s small businesses and grow jobs with dot NYC is thanks to Thomas Lowenhaupt who has made his singular vision into a reality through years of unwaivering advocacy, the understanding and support of Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer during her years in the Council, and the leadership on technology of Mayor Bill de Blasio. I hope that local businesses will continue to participate and learn more about how to get their own .NYC domain names.”

“The Shubert Organization is proud to be a founding member of the .nyc initiative. Every year, over 12 million people from around the world come to the heart of NYC to see a Broadway show. Our new website, shubert.nyc, will extend the digital outreach of Broadway and New York City,” said Philip J. Smith, Chairman, and Robert E. Wankel, President, of The Shubert Organization, Broadway’s largest theatre owner and operator.

“We are thrilled to be one of the first agencies in the City to get our .nyc domain, and to use it as part of our branding efforts,” said Daniel Doebrich, co-founder of MISTER, a NYC-based digital design and new technology agency. “MISTER is inspired by New York City’s unique combination of innovative fashion, and the constant stream of new tech solutions through its thriving startup scene. The .nyc domain helps us to better communicate this aspect, and supports our goal to become the digital house for a new generation of fashion brands. It creates a strong identity, which we have already witnessed after the first few weeks with our new emails. Clients are reaching out repeatedly to ask how we landed the .nyc domain. They love it and want to get their own.”

“.NYC gives the world’s greatest city its own digital identity—.nyc addresses the lack of available domain options, while solidifying NYC as a preeminent place to start a technology business today,” said Michael Lazerow, a serial entrepreneur and investor at Lazerow Ventures. “I am proud to call NYC my home and Laz.nyc my new digital home, dedicated to helping entrepreneurs build great companies in this great city.”

“It is so important for a nonprofit tech startup like us to represent New York City and our local community to both spread awareness and to increase community engagement,” said Jukay Hsu, Founder, Coalition for Queens (C4Q). “We’re thrilled to claim our own .nyc address at C4Q.nyc, as it will help us to empower local residents and support the growth of NYC’s tech ecosystem.”

“As a media brand with a largely New York audience, rebranding to GayCityNews.nyc will help us to better serve the residents, workers and visitors of our communities with the most relevant news, information and opinions that affect their lives,” said Jennifer Goodstein, Publisher, NYC Community Media LLC. “We’re excited to be one of the earliest adopters of the .nyc domain, and are looking forward to switching all of our brands to .nyc in the near future.”

“I am so excited to launch my new website, Bridget.nyc! I’ll be posting news and updates about my upcoming album release, tour dates, amongst other passions. I’m ready to share everything with the world,” said Bridget Kelly, singer and songwriter. “I was born and raised in this city, and being a New Yorker is an important part of my story. I can’t wait to take everyone on my journey on the new site—I hope my fans will follow along the way.”

While additional websites will be launching in the weeks ahead, the first wave of .nyc websites includes:

• 125th Street Business Improvement District (125thstreet.nyc)
• Armory Foundation (armory.nyc)
• Bell Environmental Services (wheresroscoe.nyc)
• Bike New York (bikenewyork.nyc)
• Birdland Jazz Club (birdland.nyc)
• Blue Sky Communications (bluesky.nyc)
• Brooklyn Music Festical (brooklynmusicfestival.nyc)
• Coalition for Queens (c4q.nyc)
• Dance / NYC (dancenyc.nyc)
• Droga5 (droga5.nyc)
• First Lady Chirlane McCray (flo.nyc)
• Flatiron 23rd Street Partnership (flatirondistrict.nyc)
• Gardega Studios (murals.nyc)
• Gay City News (gaycitynews.nyc)
• General Assembly (generalassembly.nyc)
• Gothamist (gothamist.nyc)
• Icon Parking Systems (wepark.nyc)
• Il Forno Bakery (ilfornobakery.nyc)
• Ink Creative Agency (ink.nyc)
• Journalist Tim McDonald (stories.nyc)
• Lazerow Ventures (laz.nyc)
• Lincoln Square Business Improvement District (winterseve.nyc)
• Livestream (livestream.nyc)
• Liz Christy Garden (lizchristygarden.nyc)
• Lower East Side Business Improvement District (pickleday.nyc)
• Manhattan Sideways (sideways.nyc)
• MESH Architectures (mesh.nyc)
• Mister (mister.nyc)
• Musical Theatre Factory (mtf.nyc)
• Musician Bridget Kelly (bridget.nyc)
• New York City Beekeepers Association  (bees.nyc)
• New York Rugby (newyorkrugby.nyc)
• NY Tech Meetup (future.nyc)
• Pace University (pace.nyc)
• Photographer Casey Neistat  (casey.nyc)
• Pickle Day (pickleday.nyc)
• Plenty (plenty.nyc)
• Row House (row.nyc)
• Staten Island Makerspace (makerspace.nyc)
• Studio M+ (studiomplus.nyc)
• Tech entrenpreneur Alex Godin (alex.nyc)
• Tech entrenpreneur Hilary Mason (hilary.nyc)
• The New-York Historical Society (nywomen.nyc)
• The Shubert Organization, Inc. (shubert.nyc)
• Times Square Alliance (newyearseve.nyc)
• Tinsel & Twine (tinsel.nyc)
• Union Theological Seminary (unionseminary.nyc)

The .nyc web address will be available to the general public on a first-come, first-served basis, starting on October 8, 2014. For those interested in registering .nyc domain names early, applications are still being accepted through October 3rd during the pre-launch “Landrush” registration phase. For more information about .nyc, the official web address of New York City, or to register your .nyc domain name, please visit www.OwnIt.nyc.

This news release was sourced from:
www1.nyc.gov/office-of-the-mayor/news/434-14/mayor-de-blasio-the-launch-first-nyc-websites

The Landrush period for the .nyc gTLD commenced on 4 August with New York City’s mayor Bill de Blasio urging New Yorkers to get their .nyc domains.The Landrush for the Big Apple’s gTLD is available to all businesses, organisations and residents with a physical address in New York City who will have an equal opportunity to reserve a .nyc domain in advance of the official public launch on October 8.The 60-day “landrush” phase offers New Yorkers a chance to reserve the .nyc domain names that are most important to protect or extend their business, brand or identity online. New Yorkers can apply for a .nyc web by visiting OwnIt.nyc.”The new .nyc domain presents a unique opportunity for New Yorkers, our small businesses, and organisations throughout the five boroughs to brand their identity, showcase their affiliation with the City — and to ‘own’ who they are online,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “As we continue to expand Internet access and put New York City on the digital map, this is a chance for more New Yorkers to claim their piece of the City’s high-demand digital real estate.The gTLD also received support from a number of other local politicians, business people and community leaders.”The opening of ‘.nyc’ domain names to the public is another step in New York’s effort to use technology to help connect businesses and community groups with the public,” said Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito. “Small business owners, neighbourhood groups, and private citizens now have the chance to claim a domain name signifying that they are part of this City’s vibrant and growing tech community.””Technology at its best helps make the world more accessible, and today’s public reservation phase for .nyc is a prime example of that,” said Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications Commissioner Anne M. Roest. “We’re pleased to play a role in helping New Yorkers and New York City small businesses own a virtual piece of our city, and look forward to helping build .nyc into a brand as great as the place it is named after.””A strong online presence is critical for success in today’s digital world, and the .nyc domain allows businesses in New York City to leverage New York City’s world-class identity and let buyers from markets around the globe know that they call New York City home,” said Maria Torres-Springer, Commissioner of the Department of Small Business Services. “I encourage New York City’s businesses to “own it,” and also to learn more about free services available to help small businesses build an online presence at nyc.gov/nycbusiness.””As the first U.S. city to acquire its own top-level domain, New York has an exciting opportunity to galvanise its reputation as the city of possibility. With .nyc, local organisations, small businesses, and individuals can label themselves as a uniquely New York brand. Neighbourhoods, too, can benefit from .nyc branding to identify unique products and services, and attract tourism. As a City Council member in 2008, I introduced the resolution that supported the .nyc acquisition. Now, as Manhattan Borough President, I’m thrilled to encourage local service providers and vendors of locally made goods to seize this opportunity to create unique .nyc domain names that identify their neighbourhood roots,” said Manhattan Borough President Gale A. Brewer.”I’m excited to see the .nyc web address taking another significant step forward with this landrush phase. This is a great way for New York City small businesses to improve their brands and grow their online identities, and I encourage people to take full advantage of this opportunity,” said Council Member Vacca, Chair of the Committee on Technology.”The best city in the world is about to get better with its own dot NYC domain — and it is only for New Yorkers. Businesses can show that they are local and proud New Yorkers by getting their dot NYC,” said Council Member Ben Kallos. “This opportunity to support our City’s small businesses and grow jobs with dot NYC is thanks to Thomas Lowenhaupt, who has made his singular vision into a reality through years of unwavering advocacy; the understanding and support of Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer during her years in the Council; and the leadership on technology of Mayor Bill de Blasio. I look forward to working with all of them to make sure that businesses know that if they want to make sure they have a chance to reserve their dot NYC, the landrush over the next 60 days is the best time to do it, before they miss out and dot NYC is first come, first served.”To raise awareness of the landrush phase, the City’s official registry, Neustar, is teaming up with business groups, community partners, and City agencies on a five-borough outreach campaign to celebrate the people, places and ideas that make New York unique; promote the new .nyc domain; and encourage New Yorkers to “own it.” The campaign will kick off with “Moment to Own It” countdown, enlisting New Yorkers to help identify and reveal the City’s top 100 ‘Own It’ moments. The campaign will include digital and social media outreach, signage on bus shelters and newsstands, radio and other targeted advertising, as well as special events to engage small businesses, organisations and residents across the five boroughs.”The launch of the .nyc domain is an important moment in New York City’s history, and we’re thrilled to be a part of it,” said Lisa Hook, President and CEO of Neustar, Inc. “We hope that individuals and organisations from across the City will take advantage of landrush by registering for a piece of their own .nyc digital real estate, and that they will share their unique New York City stories with us during our ‘Moment to Own It’ campaign.””This is a significant milestone for our organisation and our diverse membership,” said Mark Jaffe, President & CEO of the Greater New York Chamber of Commerce. “We look forward to being one of the first local business groups to adopt a .nyc web address, and we’ll be encouraging our entire database of 30,000 businesses to enhance their New York City presence by securing their brand on .nyc.”In a further effort to inspire meaningful use and development of the .nyc namespace, the City of New York is also launching Neighborhoods.nyc, an open application process for community groups to receive a premium neighborhood domain name like Harlem.nyc, Astoria.nyc or ParkSlope.nyc. The City has reserved roughly 400 neighborhood names for use by community groups to develop new online hubs for civic engagement, online organising, and information-sharing. The first set of neighborhood names will become available in late 2014 and will be licensed through a competitive application process. In order to be eligible for a .nyc neighborhood name, organisations must be registered as a not-for-profit, public benefit corporation or local development corporation, and be located within the neighborhood for which the .nyc domain name is sought. To learn more, visit Neighborhoods.nyc.”The roll out of .nyc neighborhoods names is yet another economic development tool community based organisations, like BIDs, can utilise to support local economies throughout the five boroughs,” said Tim Laughlin, Executive Director of the Lower East Side Business Improvement District and Chair of the NYC BID Association’s .nyc Working Group. “The opportunity to create dynamic digital destinations in individual neighborhoods will further our ability to help small business owners grow and succeed in an increasingly digital world.”During the landrush phase of .nyc, a domain name will be allocated to an applicant if there is only one applicant for that particular domain name. If two or more people apply for the same .nyc domain name during this period, an online auction will determine who is assigned the name. The .nyc web address will then become available to the general public on a first come, first-served basis, starting on October 8, 2014.For more information about .nyc and the application process, visit OwnIt.nyc.