fyi

by Lindsey Aspinall Getz

PEOPLE
Henna Inam, newly promoted at CIBA Vision	Mauro Schena, new hire of REM Eyewear	Robin Scheer Ettinger, Sàfilo's v.p. of marketing	John Hemphill, new employee at Briot USA
CIBA Vision, the eyecare unit of Novartis has appointed Henna Inam, currently president, Americas Region, to the position of chief marketing and innovation officer. In her new position, Inam will be leading overall global marketing efforts. In other company news, Francisco Balestrieri has been named president, North America region. Bausch & Lomb has named Dipankar Bhattacharjee corporate vice president and president, Asia Pacific Region. He was most recently vice president, commercial operations, Asia Pacific for the company. Bhattacharjee joined B&L as national sales manager for B&L India. Previously he held various sales and management positions with Nestle as well as Bank of America. REM Eyewear has hired industry veteran Mauro Schena to direct the company's operations covering Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. In his new position, Schena will oversee sales, marketing, and logistics for these regions. He comes to the company with 22 years of sales experience in the optical industry in Europe. Sàfilo USA has announced the appointment of Robin Scheer Ettinger to the position of vice president of marketing. In her new role, Ettinger will direct all marketing activities for Sàfilo's optical and retail sunwear divisions, as well as the company's separate retail division. Briot USA has announced that industry veteran John Hemphill has joined its team in the role of national accounts manager. Hemphill will be responsible for continuing to grow Briot's share in the optical retailer market.

AWARDS

Silhouette Optical's "Simplicity Trough Perfect Design" creative campaign was honored by American Business Media during its 12th Annual Creative Excellence in Business Advertising (CEBA) Awards, held in October at the Allen Room of the Lincoln Center. Creative agency Smith and Jones of Troy, N.Y., designed the eight-page spread campaign.

"When Image Drivewear lenses were launched we contacted patients who had expressed interest in progressives. By far, the majority decided to order them and in the months since their release we have heard nothing but praise."

— Alan Greenhill., OD Melbourne, Australia

Shamir Insight was the recent recipient of an award at The San Diego Business Journal's Health Care Champions event, which had over 400 leading healthcare experts in attendance. The ceremony recognized leaders who are making important advancements to improve the quality of healthcare that is provided to patients in the city of San Diego. Shamir was awarded a finalist plaque in the category of Innovation and Research.

Matt Lytle (left) of Shamir with the president and publisher of the San Diego Business Journal

BUSINESS UPDATES

Vistakon, a division of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc., has announced that the U.S. Food & Drug Administration granted an additional indication for ACUVUE OASYS brand contact lenses with HYDRACLEAR PLUS, approving the lens for therapeutic use as a bandage lens for certain acute and chronic ocular conditions.

Eschenbach Optik has been named the exclusive worldwide distributor of Unilens Vision Incorporated's UniVision Low Vision Lens. Eschenbach Optik of America, Inc., will serve as the exclusive distributor for North and South America and Eschenbach Optik will be the exclusive distributor in the rest of the world.

Transitions Optical, Inc., is now offering a Spanish version of its "Eyeglass Guide." This interactive tool details the wide range of eyewear choices available, providing valuable education prior to the eyecare appointment, and helping to prompt dialogue.

Vision Dynamics, parent company of Optical Dynamics, has acquired all the assets of Sungate LLC. Sungate uses patented processes that convert clear polycarbonate lenses to novel eyewear, safety eyewear, and sunwear products. Sungate's production facility will be moved to the Vision Dynamics facility in Louisville, Ky.

Vision-Ease has debuted its first bilingual website enhancement. With the website extensions, Vision-Ease Lens is now able to offer comprehensive communication and increase its presence among diverse consumer markets. For more information, visit the company website, www.vision-ease.com.

"Stunning contrast sensitivity improvement in the car. Cuts right through the smog and haze, while allowing enough light for comfortable, clear vision. And it really does adjust for lighting conditions".

— Robert Glass, OD Costa Mesa, CA

"Drivewear is like a pair of old jeans, they're so comfortable [And the contrast is phenomenal. Sharpens in all conditions: we're had rain, fog and even a little sunshine]"

— Janet Benjamin, President, Laramy K Optical

Kaenon Polarized was a participant in the 2007 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in Scotland—one of the world's leading team golf events. Kaenon outfitted every amateur player with the product of their choice.

The Glaucoma Research Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to finding a cure for glaucoma, has announced that it has met the Standards for Charity Accountability of the Better Business Bureau (BBB). As a result, GRF has earned the right to feature the BBB Wise Giving Alliance Seal on its website as well as all of its printed materials.

Revision Eyewear has moved its operations to a state-of-the-art facility in Essex Junction, Vt. The move to a larger facility will allow the company, which develops military eyewear, to continue its growth. Following the move, Revision hosted Vermont governor Jim Douglas in a ceremony announcing its support of the Vermont National Guard Fallen Heroes Memorial program, with a donated check of $50,000.

Revision Eyewear donates to the National Guard Fallen Heroes

Superior Vision Services, Inc., a provider of managed vision care plans, and Transitions Optical, Inc., have entered into a marketing agreement that will drive a cobranded message promoting the importance of eye health among Superior Vision members.