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Hot List: August

COOL CHOICE

1 Taking aim at global warming, Allyn Scura Eyewear has received companywide carbon neutral certification, making it one of the leaders of optical's green movement. Company representatives note that Allyn Scura Eyewear started the process with two objectives: to become carbon neutral with all future product introductions and to pick up the tab for the carbon clean up. This means that they did not increase wholesale and retail pricing as a result of the added expense. The company took their effort further, aiming for carbon neutral certification. This includes the reversal of carbon emissions as a result of manufacturing, transportation, freight, and energy consumption from day-to-day operations in 2007.

MORE TO YOU

2 The Optical Women's Association will present a Professional Optical Woman's Workshop (POWW) on Effective Communication, Oct. 3, from 5 to 7:30 pm, in Las Vegas. Workshop leader Jarrod Davis, development and communications manager with Wal-Mart, will cover speaking in public, building better presentations, and handling tough audiences. The workshop is free to OWA members with advanced registration and costs $35 for non-members. To register, e-mail owa@opticalwomen.com.

Best Brands

3 Bergdorf Goodman has been rated the most prestigious traditional luxury retail brand, according to the 2007 Luxury Brand Status Index (LBSI) survey conducted by the New York-based Luxury Institute. The survey sampled more than 1,500 wealthy American consumers, with an average income of $319,000 and average net worth of $3 million, asking them to rank the top luxury brands. In second place was Neiman Marcus, while Nordstrom rated a close third.

Bushnell Acquisition

Bushnell Outdoor Products, parent company of Bollé and Serengeti eyewear, has been acquired by MidOcean Partners, a private equity firm with offices in New York and London. Bushnell's senior management team is expected to continue in its role and have significant ownership stake in the company.

"Bushnell has maintained its focus and passion for providing cutting edge products to the outdoor enthusiast," said Joe Messner, president and CEO of Bushnell. "We have always emphasized innovation and sought out ways to leverage our products and technologies to reach our core customer in their different outdoor pursuits. We are excited to work with the MidOcean team to continue to build upon this focus and expand our business."

Added Rob Sharp, a managing director at MidOcean: "Bushnell fits squarely within our investment philosophy of investing in leading, high-quality consumer brands and complements our existing portfolio."

Silmo Turns 40 in style

From the latest in optical to the latest in the sports world, this year's Silmo will be celebrating its 40th anniversary with flair.

The 6th Rugby World Cup final will take place in Paris during the optical fair, so in Hall 8 of the exhibition centre at Porte de Versailles, a big screen will relay broadcast the event in a comfortable and fun area perfect for rugby aficionados keen to watch all of the action at the Rugby World Cup and to celebrate the victory of the winning team.

But the real celebration will take place on October 19 during the Silmo anniversary party. At a recent press event, Silmo organizers noted this year the show will also celebrate its milestone by expanding. Hall 3 will have a bigger Village and the Asian pavilion will move to Hall 1. In addition, the show goes cyber with a new Silmo blog.

For more information, visit www.silmo.fr.

Gerber Coburn Appoints New President

Stephen Lovass is the new president of Gerber Coburn. After joining Gerber Scientific, Inc., in 2001, he served as executive director of product management and marketing for Gerber Technology. He was appointed president of Spandex in 2006.

Recent Gerber Coburn president Rod Larson replaced Lovass as president of Spandex and was promoted to senior vice president of Gerber Scientific.

Marc Giles, president and CEO of Gerber Scientific, Inc., said, "Stephen has demonstrated outstanding leadership and executive skills during his three-year assignment at Spandex. He assumes his new role at Gerber Coburn at an exciting time as the business has just completed a good year and is poised for growth."

AOA Meets in Boston

The 110th Annual American Optometric Association Congress and 37th Annual AOSA Conference Optometry's Meeting provided a full slate of education hours, receptions, and a busy exhibit hall floor, plus an opening general session featuring social commentator Ben Stein, the Varilux Optometry Super Bowl, performances by the Boston Pops, and a scenic Fun Run/Walk.

The Panel of Experts educational series spotlighted practice management savvy. Optometric student and paraoptometric events included council meetings, receptions, and a special exhibit hall focus. Edwin C. Marshall, OD, received the AOA 2007 Optometrist of the Year award, and Steve Nguyen, OD, received the AOA 2007 Young Optometrist of the Year award. Lesley Walls, OD, was the recipient of the AOA 2007 Distinguished Service Award. The State University of New York was the winner of the Varilux Optometry Super Bowl XVI.

Another focus was the InfantSEE program, established by the AOA and The Vision Care Institute of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc., which hosted program recipients for their firsthand impressions.

Clockwise from top: The Varilux Optometry Super Bowl XVI delivered college sports-event competition and excitement. AOA members cut the ribbon to officially open the Exhibit Hall. At the Ophthonix booth, panelists discussed the profits and practicalities of iZon PAL technology. (l to r): optometrists Gary Gerber, Jacqueline Campisi, Ronald Meeker, and Robert Layman. Stacey Zellers, with daughter Grace, at AOA/J&J's InfantSee program.

License Lineup

Cole Haan has named ClearVision Optical its licensing partner in eyewear and sunwear for its optical channel and distribution and B. Robinson Optical its partner for sunwear in its non-optical channel. The first collection will launch for Spring 2008.

The optical collection offers more than 50 styles for men and women and reflects Cole Haan's dedication to its artisan heritage, modern design, and innovative materials. Wholesale prices will range from $65-$125. The Spring '08 sun collection will be comprised of 13 styles.

Optimate, Inc., has entered into a partnership with the NBA to produce a sport-themed collection of NBA optical frames and sunwear.

The NBA collection will feature designs incorporating the basketball association's logo, and will be available around the start of the 2007-2008 NBA Season.

The NBA collection will be designed to meet the buyer's needs for quality, performance, style and reliability. Fashionable, sporty looks incorporating the newest eyewear technology will be integrated.

Lilly Pulitzer, a lifestyle brand inspired by the style of Palm Beach, has entered into a licensing agreement with the Kenmark Group for the design, production, and distribution of women's optical and sunwear styles. Available in January, the collection will be timed with the launch of Lilly's Spring 2008 collection.

The eyewear collection will be designed with a bit of whimsy for the affluent at ease.

The initial launch will include sunwear with optical eyewear following in the second year. Retail prices for the sunwear collection will range from $90 to $180.

STAR Gazers

1. Robert Marc eyewear was featured in June's blockbuster hit "Ocean's Thirteen," starring big names like Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, and George Clooney. Throughout the film, Damon wears Robert Marc style 718.

2. Hayden Panettiere was cast as Sarah on "One Life to Live" at only four years old, but actually debuted on screen in commercials before she was even a year old. Now a star on the hit show, "Heroes," the 19-year old is a pro. She wears Coach style Mimi from Marchon.

3. Crossing over from funnyman to Oscar nominee and Golden Globe winner, Eddie Murphy has come a long way from his "Saturday Night Live" days. Here, he wears Chrome Hearts style Chute from OSA International.

4. Kate Bosworth was born with a sectoral heterochromia, which caused a large hazel patch at the bottom of her right blue eye, while the left eye is completely blue. Though hidden by her Chloé style CL2111 Cytise frames from L'Amy, Bosworth usually shows off her unique look.

5. Now that the "American Idol" season has wrapped, contestants like Chris Richardson, wearing John Varvatos style V703 from Base Curve, will have a chance to prove themselves in the real world.

The Vision Care Institute Goes to Wharton

The first run of the Chief Executive Optometrist program at Philadelphia's Wharton School in cooperation with the Johnson & Johnson's Vision Care Institute, attracted a full house of professionals seeking insight on the business of optometry.

More than 40 optometrists from independent, chain, and big box practices examined their business methods and made plans for the future based on the program's focus on core areas such as marketing, organizational management, and financial management.

The program, conducted by the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School professors in Philadelphia, blended cutting-edge business strategies and tactics from the academic world with case studies and best practices from Fortune 500 companies.

Designed for experienced optometrists and ophthalmologists, Chief Executive Optometrist provided executive-level education to help maximize the earning potential of an eyecare practice.

Seminars covered marketing strategies to brand and differentiate practices; developing and applying accounting and financial principles to maximize profitability; motivating, leading, developing, and retaining for more efficient and professional staff; and maximizing the growth and value of practices.

In addition, a dentist with a booming practice joined the class to speak about the parallels between the two healthcare markets and how optical can learn from dental's success stories.

The next Chief Executive Optometrist program is scheduled for January 17 though 20 in Philadelphia. Tuition for the Wharton/Vision Care Institute programs includes lodging and meals. Program consultants are available to provide more information on course specifics and discuss how this program might meet your needs. Please contact them by telephone at 215-898-1776 or visit http://executiveeducation.wharton.upenn.edu.

On the town

The summer schedule was packed for optical with launches, celebrations, and fundraising. Following are some highlights.

The launch of Alyson Magee's first collection was celebrated with cocktail parties held at both Alain Mikli boutique locations. The celebration included drinks, appetizers, live music, and a chance for attendees to be the first to try on the eyewear. Magee was present to answer questions and greet guests. The collection features temples that can be swapped to create a customized look.

The New York Children's Vision Coalition hosted its annual golf outing, raising close to $200,000 in contributions, making it one of the most successful fundraising events in the Coalition's history. Due to demand, the event was held on two courses with 192 golf-ers. The dinner honoring ClearVision's Fred and Mimi Friedfeld was also well attended. Approximately 240 Coalition supporters, friends, and family attended.

1. Members of The Vision Care Institute and the Pennsylvania College of Optometry unveil the new center; 2. Steve Swalgen (shown center) of Santinelli International accepts the Decade Donor Award from Valerio Giacobbi, executive vice president of Luxottica Retail N.A. (left), and Kerry Bradley, COO of Luxottica Retail N.A. (right); 3. Attendees of the iCoat seminar; 4. Alyson Magee celebrates the launch of her new collection; 5. Oakley rolls into New York City

Give the Gift of Sight recently honored Santinelli International as a 20/20 Visionary and a Decade Donor. Steve Swalgen of Santinelli accepted the donor award at the annual Gift of Sight event held in Cincinnati.

Younger Optics' Drivewear was a sponsor of this year's Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix, held July 7 through 15. The 10-day festival of races, car shows, a rally, and a black-tie gala draws more than 200,000 spectators.

The Vision Care Institute, LLC, hosted a grand opening of its Satellite Learning Center on the Pennsylvania College of Optometry campus in Elkins Park, Pa. The center features state-of-the art video conferencing equipment, which will allow students to be a part of live conferences without having to travel.

ECPs in Southern California completed a three-part AR Specialist Series of courses provided by iCoat Company. The company and its business partners, Kathy Carson with Transitions Optical, Dave Halverson with Younger Optics, and Alex Borislav with Shamir Insight, provided dinner, ABO credits, and raffle prizes.

Oakley's "Rolling O Lab" stopped in New York City in June for the day, educating passersby on Oakley's new technology, raising awareness for summer eye protection, and celebrating the launch of the NANOWIRE line.