Brands
Brands miss a trick with gTLDs as Icann opens digital land grab
MUMBAI: A fresh survey from the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (Icann) reveals that 52 per cent of marketing leaders see serious brand-boosting potential in owning a bespoke top-level domain—but a third haven’t the faintest clue what a gTLD actually is.
Top-level domains (the bit after the dot, like .london, .tech or .love) are about to hit the market again, with Icann gearing up to open its first application window in over a decade come April 2026. But despite the looming gold rush, many brands are snoozing through the starter gun.
Of the 2,000-plus marketers surveyed across eight countries—including the UK, US, China and India—only 19 per cent had ever worked at a firm that applied for a gTLD. Yet once they were told what a gTLD is, a staggering 92 per cent could see the upside. Chief attractions? Brand differentiation (46 per cent), improved trust (45 per cent), tighter online control (44 per cent), and better SEO (44 per cent). In short, more power behind the dot.
Still, roadblocks remain. Cost (31 per cent), ignorance (27 per cent), and tight resources (24 per cent) are keeping the gTLD dream on ice for many. Regional views are anything but uniform: Nigeria (74 per cent) and India (61 per cent) are bullish on the potential, while China is more split—half the marketers there think gTLDs are worth it, the other half call them a waste of money.
This matters. Marketers say standing out online is their top challenge (53 per cent), followed by grabbing the right audience (52 per cent) and keeping up with digital trends (47 per cent). A gTLD—essentially your own walled garden on the Internet—could be a game-changer. Think trust, exclusivity, and a domain that actually means something.
Icann SVP of global domains & strategy Theresa Swinehart says: “The New gTLD Program: Next Round presents an opportunity for businesses, communities, governments, and others to apply to operate their own secure space online, tailored to fit their organization, community, culture, language, and customer interests. Now is also the moment for brands to consider applying for a gTLD, and this research tells us there is still a lack of awareness. Icann can help provide information and raise awareness of the Next Round and the opportunity it presents for global communities, organizations, and businesses, including brands.”
For brands looking to own their digital patch—whether it’s .coffee, .africa or .you—the clock is ticking. And with consumers more sceptical than ever online, trust might just come in three characters or more.
Read the full report: Understanding the gTLD Opportunity for Brands
Brands
Devyani International names Sandeep Anand, Robinder Singh in key roles
Pizza Hut and Costa Coffee businesses see leadership refresh from April
MUMBAI: Devyani International has strengthened its senior leadership bench with a fresh set of appointments across its key brands, Pizza Hut and Costa Coffee, signalling a sharper focus on growth and brand momentum.
The company has appointed Sandeep Anand as chief marketing officer and business head for Pizza Hut. His appointment, approved by the board via a circular resolution on April 3, follows a recommendation by the Nomination and Remuneration Committee, as reported by CNBC-TV18. Anand will officially step into the role on April 6, 2026.
He takes over from Vijay Gogate, who currently serves as chief executive officer for Pizza Hut within the company’s operations. The move marks a strategic transition as the brand looks to sharpen its marketing and business playbook in a competitive quick service restaurant market.
Anand brings over two decades of experience across the food and FMCG sectors, with a strong track record in brand building and innovation. His career spans roles at major consumer-facing companies including Domino’s, Zydus Wellness, Zomato, GSK Consumer Healthcare, Reckitt and Ranbaxy, giving him a well-rounded perspective on both scale and agility.
Alongside this, Robinder Singh has been appointed business head for Costa Coffee and the company’s airport operations. He too will assume his new role on April 6, bringing more than 18 years of experience in operations, business expansion and customer experience transformation.
The twin appointments come at a time when Devyani International is doubling down on leadership depth to steer its portfolio through evolving consumer preferences and heightened competition. With fresh faces at the helm of two key verticals, the company appears set to brew up its next phase of growth with renewed energy.
