In 2002, a new top level domain extension called .info became available for people to register with no restrictions. This new domain option opened a whole new avenue for individuals who lost out in the .com registration process and had their desired name already taken by someone else. According to a press release issued by the Afilias, an organization that provides global registry services for the .info extension, .info has recently surpassed 1,000,000 registrations since it's inception just over a year ago. The movement of the .info domain into the mainstream has been illustrated by companies using the extension for ad campaigns and by individuals using the domain for personal use. These individuals, often looking for a more fitting .com alternative, are also using the easy-to-remember .info names.

A more than fitting illustration of the .info creative versatility is Jeremy Robinson, who is using a .info domain name to break into the acting industry and one day fulfill his dream of acting on Broadway. As an actor, Jeremy has made numerous acting appearances in theater including West Side Story, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Godspell, and Fiddler on the Roof. He has firsthand experience knowing that a .info domain name has the power to be an effective marketing tool when used in the right way.

DomainPurpose.com asked Jeremy Robinson a few questions about his new .info domain name. Here is what he had to say:

DomainPurpose.com: Can you tell us a little about yourself?

Jeremy Robinson: I have many years experience in the acting industry mostly involving theatre. I recently graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre from The Hartt School, a music conservatory in Hartford Connecticut . I am currently living in the New York City area to pursue my acting career, and I guess you'd call me a starving artist, going back and forth to auditions, waiting for that "big break". I aspire to be on Broadway one day so I can experience my passion for acting.

DomainPurpose.com: Can you tell us about your domain name?

Jeremy Robinson: My domain name is JeremyRobinson.info. I use my .info domain name on my resume and as an electronic portfolio so agency's and casting departments can contact me, learn about my acting talent, and view my headshots. JeremyRobinson.info enables me to give 24/7 access to casting departments who are looking for the acting talent and image that I possess.

DomainPurpose.com: How did you think of this idea?

Jeremy Robinson: I didn't really think of using a domain name and web site as a way to promote my acting career until I came across DomainPurpose.com. They gave me the idea to use a domain name as a tool to further my acting career. DomainPurpose.com inspired me to put my passion for acting on the Internet in the form of a web site and share my talents with an online audience.

DomainPurpose.com: Can you share with us any obstacles you overcame while registering your domain?

Jeremy Robinson: Being that .com is the most popular and most known domain name extension, I originally wanted to register JeremyRobinson.com, but it wasn't available. When my first domain search returned the disappointing news, I had to figure a way to keep my full name and brand intact. After learning more about what .info had to offer, I chose the best alternative to .com and registered a .info domain.

DomainPurpose.com: When did you realize that promoting your acting career via a .info domain could turn into a successful marketing tool?

Jeremy Robinson: I realized that using a .info domain would be an effective marketing tool when I started to understand the meaning behind the domain extension. I didn't want casting departments and other people to think I was trying to sell myself to them, so using .info gives the impression I'm looking to give. So now when I give my web address out to casting departments they know that JeremyRobinson.info is the place to go to find out more information about me and my acting talents.

DomainPurpose.com: As a successful .info domain name owner, do you have any words of advice for others who are thinking about using a .info domain name as a marketing tool to help promote themselves?

Jeremy Robinson: A .info domain name is the perfect domain extension for people who want to find information about you and what you have to offer. Don't get discouraged if your .com name is already registered. Instead of being discouraged, rework your domain strategy by using the next best thing, a .info domain! It worked for me!