Campaign for .NYC:
The eventual launch of .NYC will put .LA on the map.
http://www.openplans.org/projects/campaign-for.nyc/project-home
http://icannwiki.org/FAQs_on_City_TLDs
It may take a little time, but I have little doubt that once .NYC grows in popularity, .LA will quickly fall into place. Long before the .NYC & cityTLD hype, I was looking at .LA domains because I believe .LA regionally brands many generic domains in a way more compelling than any other TLD (other than .COM).
.LA's from my company portfolio:
AirportShuttle.LA
AutoDealers.LA
Copies.LA
CriminalLawyers.LA
Dentists.LA
Discounts.LA
FashionJewelry.LA
FreeStuff.LA
GiftBaskets.LA
HMO.LA
Manufacture.LA
Nights.LA
Printer.LA
ProFootball.LA
Psychiatrist.LA
Refinancing.LA
TalkRadio.LA
Tow.LA
Tux.LA
As an example, the potential for Tow.LA (above) optimized for mobile devices and targeting the Los Angeles market is extraordinary. Sure it may take some time and promotion to get established, but anyone who believes they could produce the same long term success with the word Tow and any other TLD (other than .com) is likely to be surprised. The widespread adoption and use of .NYC will quickly legitimize .LA within the Los Angeles community. How many Los Angeles residents might give Tux.LA a shot for their formal wear needs if they new .NYC had carved out it's own territory on the east coast? Time will tell, but the way I see it, the costs associated with developing the sites listed above are small in comparison to the potential long term revenues associated with a successful launch of one or more of the above .LA domains.
If there's one thing I’ve learned from the recent success of the .ME offering, it's that perception is just about everything. And perception is driven by marketing and markets. Unfortunately, .LA didn't launch with the sizzle of .ME, but the future success of .NYC and other cityTLDs will provide .LA with the perfect opportunity to reintroduce itself to an enthusiastic Los Angeles market that is intent on keeping pace with any cityTLD evolution – whether it be developing on the US east coast, in Paris or Berlin.