SIDN - The story behind .nl

How do you bring attention to the story of an organisation that every Dutch person deals with almost every day, yet is often unfamiliar with? That is (part of) the challenge we faced when we started our partnership with SIDN in 2016. In the meantime, a lot has changed and that brand awareness is much better.

What is SIDN?

The abbreviation SIDN stands for Stichting Internet Domeinregistratie Nederland.

This organisation ensures that the .nl domain is secure and works properly. SIDN ensures that when you go to www.wisse-worldcom.nl, you actually land on our website. SIDN also has a research department (SIDN Labs), set up to improve the security of the internet infrastructure for the Netherlands, Europe and beyond through applied technical research. And finally, through SIDN Fund, it supports initiatives that make the internet safer and encourage internet use. SIDN is a living part of a unique internet history; for example, did you know that the .nl domain was the very first country domain in the world, alongside .com? Back in 1986, .nl saw the light of day, and ten years later SIDN was established to manage the registration process. Since then, the .nl domain has developed into a strong and innovative country domain. Worldwide, .nl even occupies the ninth spot on the ranking list of country domains with the most registered domain names. Not bad, right, for such a small country as the Netherlands?

PR activitities

In short, SIDN has a fascinating present and an interesting history. To generate attention to this outside the circle of connoisseurs, Wisse Kommunikatie has developed and rolled out numerous PR activities in recent years.

Some highlights:

The milestone of 35 years of .nl, which thus coincided with 25 years of SIDN. To mark the occasion, Wisse Kommunikatie produced the podcast 35 years .nl in 2021. For this podcast, our consultants spoke to key players in the 35-year history, including the man who came up with the idea of .nl. From the information from all the conversations, we made a four-part series outlining the history of .nl from the very beginning to the present.

• Using data analysis and research reports, we created more awareness around key internet infrastructure topics such as IPv6 and DNSSEC.
• In recent years, we have built relationships with SIDN-relevant journalists and publications on a structural basis, noting in recent years that SIDN's publications are increasingly seen as news and thought leadership sources.
• We rewrite technologically in-depth blog posts from SIDN Labs into articles of interest to a wider audience of uninitiated technology enthusiasts. We then pitch these articles for placement with relevant publications.
• PR and media support for the development of new (product) propositions within the SIDN portfolio and for milestones within the .nl domain, such as the 6 millionth .nl domain name registration in 2020.