Originally posted by Liz
Great thinking KO. If you go to a big horsey event you find stands and posters for cars (usually offroaders but not always), local businesses, credit cards & banks etc, clothing OTHER than riding kit, drinks & food not just to cater for the day but to promote & sell e.g. new brand of OJ etc., computers, Estate Agents (realtors for our US friends) etc etc etc. OK, all these things are needed by horse riders, but they aren't stuff that's directly related to the sport (you get those trade stands as well, of course) just stuff people need.
So look at some of these things from a paintball point of view now. Displaying cars showing how many cases of paint you can fit in the boot. Special credit deals so you can get that nice new shiney marker this year instead of waiting 'till next. Energy drinks to keep you going all day. New computer with the latest software for programming your IR3 thrown in for free.
It's no use asking companies "pay us lots of money & we'll put up a banner with your name on". You have to persuade them that 'ballers are a viable market for them, & then offer them the opportunity to sell to players while they're in an excitable state of mind i.e. at a tourney.
There must be SOME people who work in marketing playing tourneys - they should be coming up with this kind of ideas.
Little scenario:
Paintball person: do you want to sponsor my event?
Me as car sales person: paintball? That's for war mongers and sociopaths.. yep, I'll do it. How many people at the event?
PP: 1,000 or so.
Me. Mmmm. How old are they?
PP: Average age 17.
Me: MMMM. Are they all rich kids?
PP no, a cross section, but most of em ain't flush.
Me: Is there any media coverage?
PP: no. Fuk all really.
Me:Get out of my office with your foul language.
So, PP goes to a credit card company...
PP: do you want to.........
I read all the ideals week in week out, TV, X-Ball, Franchises, sport, Olympics.... christ can we not all come down to reality city and look at the real problems, cos while we're focusing on dreamland we ain't got a ****in hope in hell.