Evil Paintball

Unlike any other kind of sports related activity, extreme sports thrive on not only an extensive lingo that makes it hard for outsiders to crack the code, but in many ways there is a culture that grows up around the sports phenomenon that keeps the aficionados pure and separated from the part time hobbyists. While at face value it appears an untenable situation – after all, why would you cut off the very public that might supply you with more players, viewers, and buyers – in retrospect it is this insider only atmosphere that permeates extreme sports that make them so appealing.

Consider for example the store called Evil Paintball. There is nary a mother out there who will knowingly and with great care write out a check to an entity that incorporates the word ”evil.” Paintball hipsters, especially those of the preteen and teen ages, eagerly lap up the ambience that permeates the website of the Evil Paintball website. There is the magnesium triggered Evil paintball gun that is sold under the moniker of the “Pimp Kit.” These Evil paintball guns come in blue, red, and an assortment of other colors as well.

There are Evil paintballs, to go with the cheap Evil paintball guns, and a bunch of other Evil paintball gear. While the site most certainly has a strong appeal to the young audience, the Evil paintball marker is actually sold through KEE Action Sports. As a matter of fact, KEE lists itself as being the exclusive source for Evil paintball merchandise. Considering the fact that KEE also is the exclusive source for Empire, Dye, Piranha, Redz, and BT Paintball products – to name but a few – it soon becomes obvious that those shopping the Evil paintball site are really buying from a different company, yet one that is cleverly packaging its lines and products to appeal to teens, preteens, and also young adults who engage in extreme sports.

Is this a case where image is everything or is KEE Action Sports more than just a front for a number of independent lines and retailers? The facts bear out that KEE is centralizing customer service and product support, while marketing several different trademark lines and registered products via a number of network sites, a marketing strategy that is becoming more common online. While this is not a surprising way of doing business, it is a morsel of info worth dishing.