Reglikedomain industry desk

Mixed Message from Tucows — Butterscotch.com Sends

Mixed Message from Tucows — Butterscotch.com Sends

Tucows launches Butterscotch.com. Why?

I’m a bit confused. Yesterday Tucows (AMEX: TCX) disclosed it entered into an agreement to sell its stake in domain registry Afilias for $7.4 million. Investors cheered, sending the stock up 25%. In the press release, Tucows CEO Elliot Noss stated:

“This sale is another step in our stated goal to divest non-core assets in order to unlock hidden value for shareholders. The proceeds of the sale provide additional funds that will be used to fund further share repurchases.”

Tucows has definitely been on a path to simplifying and focusing on its core strengths. It sold its web hosting business earlier this year.

So one day later I am baffled as Tucows discloses the launch of Butterscotch.com, “a fresh online video network that offers educational and user-friendly instructional shows designed to demystify technology for the average technology consumer.”

Tucows isn’t just a domain registrar. It is a popular software download site. But creating a site like this is expensive and lots of work (if you plan to execute on it). It certainly seems like a diversion from Tucows’ focus. There’s even a general manager of Butterscotch.com, which scares me. Hopefully he has other jobs within Tucows, too.

It looks like Tucows picked up Butterscotch.com in its NetIdentity buyout.

Perhaps a Tucows representative can chime in with just what the firm’s core mission and objective is right now. Since I certainly can’t figure it out. Here’s the firm’s description in its latest press release:

Tucows is a global Internet services firm. OpenSRS manages over 8 million domain names and millions of email boxes through a reseller network of over 9,000 web hosts and ISPs. Our Retail group sells services directly to consumers and modest businesses through Domain Direct, It’s Your Domain and NetIdentity. YummyNames owns premium domain names that generate revenue through advertising or resale. Butterscotch.com is an online video network building on the foundation of Tucows.com.

Also on the wire

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