NameNora Nanayakkara
Job TitleDirector, Business Development, Sedo UK
Organizationwww.nanayakkara.co.uk
Member Since29 May 2007
Areas of ExpertiseB2B Marketing, E-commerce, Social Media, Search Marketing - Paid (PPC), Strategy and Planning
Contact Details
Email:
Telephone: 02074009093
Address: Sedo UK, New Penderel House, 283-288 High Holborn, 7th Floor, London, WC1V 7HP, United Kingdom

About Me

As Sedo's Director of Business Development for UK & Ireland, I established Sedo's UK presence in November 2007. Since then, I've been responsible for new client acquisitions, effective business development strategy and external communication through media/public relations.

My tasks include delivering impactful, clear and innovative messages to support our sales efforts and marketing campaigns through multiple channels including public speaking opportunities and media relations via relevant titles such as The Times, The Observer, The Telegraph, Web User, Brand Republic etc.

Prior to my current role, I was Sedo's International Operations Director at the German headquarters, where I managed the domain monetisation (PPC) teams for Sedo's English-speaking global market (EMEA, UK/Ireland, Australia).

I speak fluent German and hold a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) as well as a Joint BA in European Studies and German. I am an active member of Nominet's Policy Advisory Body (PAB), helping to guide future policy for .uk domain holders and channel feedback from its 2,800 members. In addition, I have recently become a member of Pilotlight, which brings together the passion and expertise of the voluntary sector with corporate business skills to help ensure the sustainability and effectiveness of charitable organizations.

My position involves:
• Developing and executing successful multi-channel external communications, relations and consumer education programmes, including media relations, PR, targeted publications and a public presence at industry events and key stakeholder working groups
• Producing viable business plans, setting the strategy for Sedo UK and mapping these plans against marketing and HRM roadmaps
• Sourcing and leveraging business partnerships to provide mutual value
• Ensuring fully integrated post-sale service delivery
• Developing and maintaining Sedo's high profile
• Setting KPIs and reporting to Sedo’s board of management

My Links

Sedo's Homepage - Buy, Park, Sell Domains

Nora Nanayakkara on VNUnet
Nora Nanayakkara discusses digital marketing with domain names, online asset management and the power of direct navigation.

Investing in online real estate - The Guardian Newspaper
Domain investors are the latest breed of dotcom entrepreneur, buying up website domain names - and making their fortune by dealing in them.

Toys R Us pay $5 million for Toys.com
Toy retailer ToysRUs has paid $5.1m (£3.6m) for the Toys.com domain name. It is believed to be the biggest payout for a domain this year but has some way to go to beat the $14m paid for sex.com in 2007 or the $9.5m paid for porn.com. UK domain name se

Career History

Elected Member of Policy Advisory Body (PAB) at Nominet
From June 1, 2007 and still in this role.

In my role as a Nominet member-elected PAB representative, I provide advice to the Board of Directors on the non-operational guiding principles regarding the oversight of the .uk domain name registry. This includes: * Providing policy advice which is clear and flexible * Assisting in advising on the policy direction Nominet should take * Considering and bringing to the attention of the Board any policy issues that may be of future importance or affect the .uk namespace. * The periodic review of current policies. * Periodic review of the performance of the PAB and PAB members

Director of Operations - UK/International at Sedo GmbH
From June 1, 2005 until November 30, 2007.

Key responsibilities included day-to-day operations of Sedo’s UK and international markets, managing an international team and handling a large portfolio of key B2B and B2C customers. Central tasks included the growth of Sedo's domain monetization and domain trade solutions in the UK and other key markets, internal and external contract negotiations and regular on- and off-site client meetings. I liaised daily with other team managers, the marketing and Bus Dev teams and reported directly to the VP of Sales.

Brokerage Manager at Sedo GmbH
From June 1, 2004 until June 1, 2005.

Key responsibilities included domain and website evaluations and high-value domain sales. I negotiated directly with traders, including the terms of their contracts and sourced and managed buyers and sellers as well as leading a team of brokers.

Education and Qualifications

2005 – 2007

* Financial Modelling and Information Systems
* International Marketing
* Operational Product Service Delivery
* International Business Strategy
* International Human Resource Management
* Research Methods
* Management Dissertation

1999-2003

1997-1998