Maria is Co-Founder & Creative Director of Catchword Branding and has personally created hundreds of brand names, including Asana, Upwork, Vudu, and VW Atlas. She’s also an avid domainer and oversees the Catchword Accelerator‘s inventory of 2000+ premium brandable domains.
Profile Questions
Name:
Maria Cypher
Company:
Catchword Branding
Favorite Domain:
Any domain I’ve sold that makes it as a serious brand.
Favorite Industry Conference: NamesCon
Favorite Industry Blog(s): I love Michael Cyger’s weekly roundup. He’s a born entrepreneur, and I love the fun and personality he infuses into helpful domain tips.
Tell us a little bit about your background and your personal story.
I’m Creative Director & Partner with Catchword Branding, which I co-founded in 1998. We’re a leading naming firm globally and have created household names like Asana, Upwork, VW Atlas, Vudu, and just recently, the Popcornmeter for Rotten Tomatoes. I also oversee our domain-name business, the Catchword Accelerator (https://catchwordaccelerator.com/), which lists 2000+ premium brandable domains—which we’ve registered very naturally as part of our work in creating names over the past quarter century.
On a personal level, I have three grown daughters and live in the Bay Area. I spent half my youth in Hong Kong and China and am half Chinese myself—so I have a lot of appreciation for other cultures and perspectives. My husband Charlie is an IP attorney, so we get to talk shop at home!
How did you get involved in the domain industry?
Funny story. Over 20 years ago, we were presenting name options to a Fortune 50 company and indicated the 10 or 15 that were available as dot-coms. The client literally paused the meeting to go register these domains. I immediately realized that we needed to maintain control over all the domains that wouldn’t ultimately be used by clients for their specific naming projects. That was the start of our brandable domains business!
Why did you choose to support the ICA?
Domain investors and owners are incredible entrepreneurs, and I really appreciate the ICA’s efforts to support them and promote confidence in the industry. Also, I was recently on the receiving end of a Reverse Domain Name Highjacking attempt, so the need to protect the rights of legimate domain holders was made all the more apparent to me!
What do you like most about the domain industry?
I love the entrepreneurial spirit and the sense of community.
If you could change one thing about the domain industry what would it be?
Given my recent experience, I suppose it would be instituting financial penalties for companies found guilty of RDNH.
What do you think are some of the biggest challenges the domain industry is faced with?
Educating the public about domain options available to them and generally getting them to appreciate the value of great domain names.
What do you wish other people knew about the ICA?
Every person I’ve met that’s associated with the ICA has been incredible! So smart, responsive, and human. Great group of people!
What would you tell someone who is thinking about joining the ICA?
Don’t hestitate. If you’re in the domain-name business, you’ll learn so much here and make great connections.
What unexpected doors opened for you because of your involvement in the domain industry?
The opportunity to meet many interesting people who are similarly entrepreneurial. The chance to work directly with the phenomenal Zak Muscovitch!
What’s the best advice ever received (domain related or otherwise)?
Like a lot of people, I’ve recently become very interested in Stoic philosophy, and the mantra to “just do what is right; nothing else matters” provides a lot of clarity.
What are your main interests outside of the domain industry?
Singing and playing guitar. I’ve been the lead singer of a performing cover band for close to 15 years. We do the occasional wedding and high school reunion, but mostly we do parties and restaurants. We’re just now pivoting to a slightly more folk/bluegrass/Americana vibe, so we’ll see how that goes!
Favorite place to get away
I love Lake Tahoe and Maui, but really, I want to travel everywhere!