PaintballNewsletter.com Launched by Father/Son Team

Posted on July 5, 2000

PaintballNewsletter.com, a free e-mail newsletter, launches this week as a new father/son publication about the rapidly growing sport of paintball. A website by the same name starts up the week of July 10. This is the culmination of efforts which began earlier this year, when self-styled ``aging Baby Boomer'' Jonathan Bernstein, 49, was introduced to paintball by his high school-age son, Erik, an experienced player. The elder Bernstein, a national public relations consultant and Internet publisher, recognized the opportunity for both entertainment and profit through creation of PaintballNewsletter.com.

PaintballNewsletter.com provides articles and information for beginners and advanced players alike. It also reflects the joy both its creators have found in their common love of an activity which, Erik Bernstein said, ``breaks down the age barrier between us, because inside we're both just big kids.'' Erik serves as newsletter editor, Jonathan as publisher. And, as an unexpected side effect of early news about their plans, Jonathan's PR consultancy, Bernstein Communications, has signed its first paintball industry client: SC Village in Corona, Calif., an international paintball event venue.

In their first issue of PaintballNewsletter.com, Jonathan Bernstein compares his former pastime of golf with paintball play. For example, he said, ``In golf you're trying to hit your target, but in paintball your target is also trying to hit you! Guess which one is better exercise?'' And, as he points out, ``in paintball, even a beginner can be accurate and perform well without lying about it.''

Also in the premiere issue, Erik tells his peers how they can get their parents or other loved ones to play paintball with them. ``The price may be a point of resistance for parents. Get around this by telling them it's cheaper than Disneyland or Magic Mountain.''

The ezine and website will both give special attention to stories about and by families who play paintball together, while encouraging the use of humor by its staff and contributing writers.