It’s all fun and games at Hallpass Media – Bill Kara knows it well.
It’s all over the domain news and it’s gaining momentum:
Someone, somewhere, somehow paid $350,000 for the domain name CookingGames.com – breaking the jaw of many old school domainers that could not fathom to see such a figure next to a two-worder.
The sale amount is an 8x revenue multiple – which means that getting even will take a while.
However, Canada-based buyer Bill Kara is no newcomer to monetizing domains.
His gaming network, Hallpass Media, has millions of monthly visitors from a diverse crowd with a common interest: games, games, games!
Instead of focusing on the particular sale, we asked Bill Kara a few questions which he gladly answered, despite being happily occupied with the recent birth of his baby daughter.
DomainGang: Bill, as a kid, did you prefer arcade coin-ops or at home board games? What was your favorite pass time when “game time” arrived?
Bill Kara: Nothing beats a good game of R.I.S.K, treaties, breaking treaties, building up endlessly, and of course the inevitable flipping of the board.
That’s simply awesome.
DomainGang: What was your first domain name and did you develop it? Did you sell it or did you use that experience to develop your biggest active domain instead?
Bill Kara: First name was HackerNetwork.com, built it up and at its peak it received 6 Million page views in a month. Back in 1999-2000 that was a big deal. The ad company I was with kept having a hard time selling ads for the site as it was NOT about hacking, it was a E/N “everything/nothing” site (a term you old school Internet guys will remember). Anyhow the most popular features on the site were the flash movies and games. I took my ad companies advice and developed FlashPlayer.com shortly after. HackerNetwork was eventually hacked and perma parked from that time onward.
Truly amazing stuff. That’s like changing the domain paradigm that most domainers follow blindly.
DomainGang: Do you consider yourself a “domainer” gamer or a gamer that uses domains to engage in the global entertainment market?
Bill Kara: I consider myself a developer 🙂
Fun and games can go together with business after all.
DomainGang: Is it easier to make a dollar or spend a dollar? What would you spend your last dollar on? How would you make a dollar, if you had to quit gaming/domaining?
Bill Kara: Easier to spend, by far with my last dollar I’d buy a small slush and a bunch of 5 cent candies from 7-11. If I had to start something new… I’d… hmmm I used to have a plan B I just can’t recall it. I think I was going to be an accountant or lawyer… something stupid like that.
Very well said. You definitely seem to have your feet planted on the ground while searching for the stars!
DomainGang: About your Greek heritage while being a Canadian – is it gyro and retsina or poutine and beer?
Bill Kara: Neither, It’s crown n’ coke! 😀
Many thanks, Bill. Visit Bill Kara’s awesome network of gaming sites at Hallpass Media!
OPA!
*gives out ouzo & heavenly vanillas to all*
Hehe, Richard.
Bill is a very serious guy and knows his stuff quite well. This acquisition is one of these “OMG!” moments in domaining.
He is a young guy & a successful entrepreneur. It was a nice read.
Thank you Charley – TGIF!
No matter what the explanation. Still not a kosher sale.
I have sold a domain to Bill for some serious money, John, and I can assure you he’s as straight of a business man as an arrow.
Do you have an email to contact ?
Charley, you can reach him through the contact form of HallpassMedia.com