I am looking for a name for my company. The company will be
offering video conferencing services to end users.
  
We are achieving all this through a wireless device.
 
The service itself consists of three distinct areas, local, long
distance, and roaming.
 
Potential customers include teenagers, corporate users (high level
executives, like sales or marketing), lawfirms, and casual users.
 
Competitors are cellular companies in the US and abroad.
 
I would like as many propositions as possible on how to name my
company. The names can:

1) ...emphasize the video conferencing
2) ...emphasize the general wireless part 
3) ...focus on the actual user demographic
4) ...explain the benefit for our customers
5) ...sound great and be positive and professional 
or 6) that symbolizes what a customer would expect from us.

Domain name availability is not critical but would be appreciated.

Also please let me know which of your propositions is your
favorite name - and explain why.

---

Request for Question Clarification by rippo-ga on 22 Jan 2003 20:46 PST

Hi again hoftfasner,

It's rippo-ga, who answered another question of yours on 3G cell site
costs/research:

http://answers.google.com/answers/main?cmd=threadview&id=145769

I was excited to see this additional question posted by you, first
because I am quite familiar with the technology related to your
product offering based on my research found in the question here...



... and second because I was a corporate analyst/consultant for a few
years and have a background in marketing/branding. I was responsible
for branding/naming new products at my previous companies. Yours seems
to be a worthy challenge as the name of a company becomes more than a
brand, it becomes your corporate identity. I'm familiar with all of
the requirements you mention for a name, including domain name
availability if possible. And I will warn you NOT to embrace a company
name that is too tied to your CURRENT product focus - ultimately, you
WILL EXPAND and your name should not limit you. I have been at a
company that has experienced this brand limitation and it is both
annoying and expensive to fix later.

For your reference, I have worked on naming a company here on Google
Answers before. Please reference the following link to see the type of
dialogue that took place between myself and another question asker
seeking to name his company here:

http://answers.google.com/answers/main?cmd=threadview&id=123740

If you are interested and satisfied with this kind of naming dialogue,
I am happy to work with you on naming your company, as it sounds like
a great challange. But I would first like to know if you are
interested in working exclusively with me on this one. My experience
has taught me that naming a company is so subjective that it requires
an extended dialogue, but I will have to post an initial answer as a
first stab to begin the dialogue with you exclusively. Please
understand that this would NOT be my final answer, but rather -- as
was the case in the answer above for the other individual whose
company I helped name -- an initial answer that would allow you to
request a series of answer clarifications by me, thereby allowing us
to narrow down the options you like and create a brief dialogue on
Google Answers until you are satisfied.

If you are interested in this arrangement, just respond to this
question clarification stating so and I can post an initial "answer"
to begin the dialogue. (Feel free to mention what you believe the core
value of your company's offering to be to kick off the process.)

Thanks, and I hope to work with you shortly on this,
rippo-ga

---

Clarification of Question by holtfasner-ga on 22 Jan 2003 21:03 PST

I have no problem with working exclusively with you.

As for the additional information...  To keep it short and sweet:

xyz will capture the video conferencing and mobile entertainment
market cheaper, better, and faster than wireless 3G

hoftfasner,

Thanks for the opportunity to work on this one. I'll walk you through
my thought process on how I arrived at an initial list of names you
can examine and then point me in a more focused direction.

First a question: Will existing/next generation cell phones be
compatible with this service, or will you be selling/giving a
standalone wireless device to your target customers (or are you going
to rely on other vendors to create/sell this to support your service?)
I'm assuming that cell phones ARE NOT the desired device for using
your service, as you list cell phone companies as your competitors,
but please clarify this point as this seems a logical installed base
to tap into, if the phones will ultimately support your service.

THOUGHT PROCESS:
You will be offering your service to a wide range of target
demographics (teenagers, corporate executives, lawyers and casual
users vary tremendously in branding strategy), the name should have
broad appeal based on the service's inherent value rather than it's
appeal to any one customer segment. Again, take caution in a name that
limits your company's appeal. Perhaps a name that connotes a service
for "people" without emphasizing consumers, to avoid pigeonholing the
service as consumer-only.

In order to come up with an initial consideration set of names, I
jotted down some notes about what the core attributes of your
company's offering were:

video conferencing
wireless
mobile entertainment
cheaper, better, faster than 3G
consumer-facing
connecting people

Let's dissect those briefly:

"Video conferencing" Regretfully, this gives the sense of a big boxy
solution deployed in two conference rooms on opposite coasts. I
suggest avoiding use of the phrase "conferencing" for now so we can
experiment with some alternatives that imply the mobile nature of the
service. Additionally, end-users that aren't in companies have a
pre-set notion of video-conferencing and it isn't so appealing.

"Wireless" This is a technical description that implies "mobile",
which is a slightly sophisticated term for flexibility or freedom. I
think mobile has more potential than wireless because it implies the
potential to go places physically unlinked, rather than simply the
state of being physically unlinked.

"Mobile entertainment" Mobile works, entertainment doesn't. It's not a
strong word to use if you want to appeal to corporate customers. It
pigeonholes the company as consumer-facing, games oriented, etc. I'd
advise against focusing on "entertainment" for now.

"Cheaper, better, faster than 3G" This is a next generation statement
about the quality and efficiency enhancement over current day
alternatives. It's forward thinking, which is great. People love
futuristic connotations, as long as they are not overdone or forced
down their throat. Let's work with the forward thinking aspect of the
service in the name.

"consumer facing" Nothing too complex, a name that is easy to
remember, positive and professional.

"connecting people" This implies allowing people across large
distances to *see and talk with one another*. A solid differentiator
that we should keep top of mind.

We should also consider that nomenclature differentiation from
competitors is *key*. You identified cellular companies - domestic and
foreign - as your competitors and your service offerings - local, long
distance and roaming - immediately create a connotation with a
cellular phone service company, so that is either a plus or minus
depending on your viewpoint. You will need to achieve positive
differentiation from them, if your service description sounds like
theirs on the surface. To achieve this, we can look at the core brand
attributes of end-user facing cellular companies like Sprint, AT&T,
Verizon, etc.

Finally, I like the idea that your service will allow people to see
each other anywhere in the world at anytime. There's an element of
transcending geographical and physical barriers and distance that
merits serious exploration. Also, since your product deals with
visualizing someone/something, it would be ideal if your company name
borrowed that brand attribute for its name - people should be able to
visualize the name.

Enough analysis, initial suggestions are below based on the thought
process above. Please let me know if you prefer a single name (e.g.,
Company, Inc.) or will consider double or triple word names (e.g.,
Company Services, Inc or New Company Solutions, etc.) I assumed that
you are most interested in a single word name for now, followed by
Inc.:


Mobilevision
Sound: Sounds like a visual phenomenon with flexibility
Meaning: Literally, viewing from anywhere
Domain Availability: .tv, .cc

Mobilevideo
Sound: Sounds like a video rental chain
Meaning: the ability to see video while moving
Domain Availability: .biz, .tv, .us, .cc

Video Anywhere
Sound: This two word option is straightforward
Meaning: Straight-up... users get video anywhere.
Domain Availability: .org, .biz., .us, .tv, .info, .ws, .cc

Genmobile
Sound: flexibility, generational sound
Meaning: almost sounds like a generation description, as in youth,
which is too consumer-sounding
Domain Availability: .com, .org, .net, .info, .ws, .cc, .biz, .us. tv

NextMobile
Sound: Not today's mobile carrier
Meaning: New and forward thinking mobile solutions
Domain Availability: .net, .org, .biz, .us, .tv, .info, .ws., .cc

Mobiletouch
Sound: tangibility, mobility
Meaning: touching people while roaming throughout an area
Domain Availability: .org, .us, .tv, .info, .ws, .cc

LeapMobile
Sound: mobile carrier named Leap
Meaning: freely overcoming physical barriers
Domain Availability: .com, .org, .info, .ws, .cc, .net, .biz, .us, .tv


Of the names above, I originally liked those that ended in "vision"
for two reasons: First, "vision" is a great word that captures the
visual nature of your offering. Second, it sounds like a phenomenon
rather than a product or service (e.g., the word "television" connotes
a phenomenon as well as a product.) Thus, I initially liked the sound
of "mobilevision", although I concluded it is perhaps a bit too
unimaginative. Also, Sprint has its PCS Vision offering, so this may
not be quite differentiated enough, though I'll leave it to you to
tell me otherwise.

My favorite of the names above is LeapMobile. The concept of "leaping"
is compelling, because it implies transcending geographical distance
to arrive somewhere else. Further, "leap" is tremendously flexible as
a word, because it can be a proper noun, a verb, and has great
potential for logo considerations. It also captures the aspect of your
service in allowing people to see/communicate with anyone anywhere in
the world - they just "leap" there - AND it seems visually
differentiated versus competitor names such as Sprint, AT&T, NTT,
Verizon, TMobile, etc. One might also construe that you are leaping
past today's mobile alternatives. Finally, it happens to offer domain
name flexibility in .com, .net and .org availability.

I look forward to your feedback on the above, as well as
answers/clarification to any questions asked. After getting
clarification, I can offer a more extensive list based on your
preferences.

Best,
rippo-ga

P.S. - Please note that I am on PST, so I may not be able to post my
next clarification until the morning.

---

Request for Answer Clarification by holtfasner-ga on 23 Jan 2003 06:58 PST

Rippo,

I like LeapMobile quite a bit.  

My only concern is that the name may be too long.  I am looking for a
very short name, perhaps two syllables at most.  As well, I would
prefer to stay away from the words geo, world, global, video, eye,
visual, network, and communications.

To answer the question you asked, in order to offer the product to the
general public a new device must be created.  It will allow for
roaming on 2.5G networks. However, current 2.5G and 3G phones will not
be able to roam on the network.

As well, perhaps it would be important to point out that the initial
target is the metropolitan market.  More specifically, downtown core
areas.

Thank you for your time.

---

Clarification of Answer by rippo-ga on 23 Jan 2003 11:54 PST

hoftfasner,

Thanks for the clarifications. I spent a good deal of time this
morning brainstorming on a number of new naming ideas, based on the
one/two syllable constraint, and the list of words you prefer not to
go with. Please be aware that most single-syllable/short domain names
are taken, so I have to get creative with dual-word hybrids.

Since you liked LeapMobile, but felt it was perhaps too long, I've
come up with a list of "Leap-inspired" alternatives for your
consideration. In addition, there is a new list of non-Leap-related
names to consider as well. Please let me know which of the following
is closest to your liking and we can narrow down the list from there:

LEAP-INSPIRED NAME OPTIONS:

NextLeap
Meaning: Implies future progress
Domain Availability: .biz, .us, .tv, .info, .ws, .cc
Comment: Reads better than it sounds when spoken

BrightLeap
Meaning: Connotes visual clarity with the implication of progress
Domain Availability: .net, .org, .biz, .us, .tv, .info., .ws, .cc
Comment: A possible contender; I like the visual implication without
use of the word vision

TrueLeap
Meaning: Factual progress
Domain Availability: .net, .org, .biz, .info, .us, .ws, .tv, .cc
Comment: .com is available for "Truleap"

TriLeap
Meaning: Literally, three leap
Domain Availability: .com, .net, .org, .biz, .info, .us, .ws, .tv, .cc
Comment: This is probably too tempting to consider because you will be
offering a solution that trumps 3G, but I wanted to include it for
your consideration anyway, in case you liked it. I feel it's a bit
limiting, personally.

LeapThere
Meaning: Progress quickly to somewhere
Domain Availability: .net, .org, .biz, .info, .us, .ws, .tv, .cc
Comment: Has potential, but there may be better "leap" and/or "there"
alternatives

LeapWave
Meaning: Trump, progress to the next level
Domain Availability: .net, .org, .biz, .info, .us, .ws, .tv, .cc
Comment: Short, sweet, progressive connotation... this is a strong
contender

NewLeap
Meaning: Novel, progressive
Domain Availability: .net, org, .biz, .info, .us, .ws, .tv. .cc
Comment: Not as strong as other options

ClearLeap
Meaning: Visual connotation without the word "vision", plus progress
Domain Availability: .net, .org, .biz, .info, .us, .ws .tv, .cc
Comment: It's clear, and looks/sounds good and is easy to remember - a
possible contender


NEW SHORTER NON-LEAP-BASED NAMES

BeThere
Meaning: Literally, arrive somewhere else
Domain Availability: none
Comment: Domain constraints, but it captures the element of being with
someone else real-time

GoThere
Meaning: More commanding version of BeThere, to arrive somewhere else
Domain Availability: .ws, .cc
Comment: Domain constraints, perhaps too much of a travel connotation

ThereNow
Meaning: First, the idea of being somewhere else immediately; second,
the colluquial phrase as if to imply all has been made better
Domain Availability: .net, .org, .biz, .info, .us, .ws, .tv, .cc
Comment: A bit consumer-oriented, but it has a certain succinctness
and appropriateness for the service.

Splash
Meaning: Impact on arrival; also as if to "make a splash" via a
profound arrival
Domain Availability: .cc 
Comment: You can get creative to find a domain name with an adjunct.
E.g., Splashinc.net/.org is available, etc. It has good imagery, lots
of logo potential, and is memorable.

Freecircle
Meaning: an unconstrained group
Domain Availability: .net, .org, .biz, .info, .us, .ws, .tv, .cc
Comment: Derived from the idea that via your serivce, people will be
expanding their circle on the go

Broadcircle
Meaning: a more open group
Domain Availability: .com. .net, .org, .biz, .info, .us, .ws, .tv, .cc
Comment: Derived from the idea that via your serivce, people will be
expanding their circle on the go

Righthand
Meaning: Both the connotation of reliability (righthand man) and
convenient tangibility
Domain Availability: .biz, .info, .us, .tv, .ws, .cc
Comment: Some domain constraints, but a strong sounding name

Relay
Meaning: to pass on to another
Domain Availability: .cc
Comment: Domain constraint, but a short and sweet image that captures
your service concept pretty well

OneClear
Meaning: the sole, clear option
Domain Availability: .com. .net, .org, .biz, .info, .us, .ws, .tv, .cc
Comment: Sounds too much like a mobile phone company name

Onway
Meaning: connotes transporting someone somewhere
Domain Availability: .biz, .info, .ws, .tv, .cc
Comment: Short and sweet, but perhaps a bit too vague

YouTwo
Meaning: Literally, you and another
Domain Availability: .org, .biz, .info, .us, .ws, .tv, .cc
Comment: Perhaps too consumer-oriented, and limiting as there can be
group conversations

Everyway
Meaning: multiple directions
Domain Avaialbility: .biz, .info, .us, .ws, .tv, .cc
Comment: An intriguing name that makes you stop and think - has
potential

Instep
Meaning: moving together
Domain Availability: .tv, .cc
Comment: Domain constraints, but a short and sweet option if you can
get around that

Strideway
Meaning: Walk briskly in a decided direction
Domain Availability: .com. .net, .org, .biz, .info, .us, .ws, .tv, .cc
Comment: A strong word, that has a phenomenon-eque connotation
associated with it, with complete domain availability


Of the names above, I like these most:

BrightLeap

LeapWave

Splash

Broadcircle

Relay 

Onway

Everyway


As I mentioned earlier, you might prefer to have a name that has a
visual image associated with it, per your service. Of the ones above,
I believe LeapWave, Splash and Relay are the most compelling in this
regard (with Everyway as a runner-up in that regard). I'll hold off on
further analysis of these options until you let me know which
direction, based on the new suggestions above, you'd like me to focus
in.

Thanks, and I look forward to continuing the dialogue,
rippo-ga

Excellent name study.  I hope I can use the name shortly.  Rippo is great!

Hello holtfasner,

The first thing that hit me since this is a Video / Wireless / Small
screen service is :

Glimpse

Ironically, checking www.glimpse.com, it is available for sale for
$5,000.

Regards,

-=clouseau=-

Google Answers Researcher

Great to hear this came in handy, and sincere thanks for the generous
tip. Enjoyed working with you on this one, and I'll keep an eye out
for your service under one of the names above in the near future!
Best,
Rippo