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Hot List: March 2009

3 CAN'T TOUCH THIS
Although consumers are cutting back on spending, there are things they're determined to hold on to. Here's what a survey conducted by BIGresearch and Stores magazine found:

4 MARKETING TO MOMS

Advertising Age reports that moms control 85 to 90 percent of household spending on everyday items. Some things to keep in mind when targeting this powerful demographic:

Kids come first. Moms spend on their children first and then might spend on small indulgences for themselves.

Nesting is in. According to a USA Today/Gallup poll, 81 percent of moms have cut back on eating out and 72 percent have cut back on entertainment outside the home. Favorite brands (such as Starbucks) are still in the mix, but enjoyed less frequently.

She's "in-sourcing." That means she's doing her own nails and haircolor, housecleaning, etc. Marketers can help her succeed in these endeavors.

Green still matters. Moms will spend on items that are both eco-friendly and affordable, but will more often forgo more pricey earth-friendly products.

Gottardi Joins Marchon

Marchon Eyewear has appointed Claudio Gottardi president of Marchon and CEO of Marchon International. In his new role, Gottardi will have responsibility for the company's brand management, marketing, design, product development, new business development, and the company's international business outside the western hemisphere.

Continuing in their current roles will be Larry Roth, executive vice president, western hemisphere sales, and Marty Fox, chief operating officer.

Prior to Marchon, Gottardi was with the Safilo Group for 23 years, serving in various executive positions including co-CEO of Safilo Group and CEO of Safilo USA and Solstice Marketing, Safilo's retail sunglass chain.

"Claudio has an enviable record of success in the optical business," says CEO Al Berg. "His industry relationships and experience in all of the major aspects of the eyewear business will help us expand our business globally."

CZV Partners with Bollé, Modo

Carl Zeiss Vision has formed a partnership with Bollé, a wholly owned subsidiary of Bushnell Outdoor Products, to promote a national prescription sunglass program throughout the Carl Zeiss Vision (CZV) lab network.

The exclusive agreement—which extends a pre-existing relationship between the two companies for plano sunwear—will enable both companies to offer a variety of customized Rx sun eyewear and to employ patented wrap lens technology.

The national program is offered through all 17 CZV labs and includes VSP orders.

CZV has also inked an agreement with Modo to provide lenses and Rx services for the Modo for NetJets line of premium sunglasses, featuring exclusive High Chromatic Definition (HCD) lens technology.

"Modo for NetJets has been committed to technological breakthroughs, innovative material applications, and cutting-edge designs for today's pilots and sports enthusiasts, to name a few," said Alessandro Lanaro, the CEO of Modo.

Lanaro adds: "Those technological breakthroughs are now available in a new exclusive Rx sunglass program, which provides a unique Rx option utilizing CZV's extensive expertise in wrap Rx lenses."

"Our partnership with MODO for NetJets reaffirms Carl Zeiss Vision's leading technology in Rx sunlens innovation," said Claude Labeeuw, vice president of marketing and business development for Carl Zeiss Vision North America. "Through this partnership, we are able to offer MODO for NetJets prescription sunlenses, including wrapped styles, with no compromise in visual performance."

LOW VISION VETERAN PASSES

Fred A. Mitchell, owner of Beecher Research Company, passed away suddenly on Feb. 14 at the age of 74. A resident of Lake In the Hills, Ill., Mitchell had operated Beecher Research, a manufacturer of low vision aids for the visually impaired, for the past 22 years.

Well-known in the low vision community, he was an active member of the Vision Council's Low Vision Division and a frequent exhibitor at industry trade events where he was often joined by business associates, Bonnie, his wife of 52 years, and son Brent, both of whom will continue to operate the company. He is also survived by two other sons, Kevin and Keith, and eight grandchildren, and two of his 11 siblings.

In honor of Mitchell and his contributions to the field, the Vision Council's Low Vision Division is working on plans to create a scholarship in his name.

Varilux Celebrates 50 Years

Essilor of America, Inc., has kicked off a year-long celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Varilux lenses, starting with a new 3D movie, "The Varilux Experience" and a special anniversary logo. The invention of Bernard Maitenaz in 1959, Varilux lenses are worn by more than 300 million people worldwide.

"Varilux has greatly advanced lens science during the last 50 years, and we're committed to continuing our efforts to make sure people have the best vision possible," says Carl Bracy, vice president of marketing for Essilor of America.

The name Varilux means "variable light" to denote the progressive, or variable, power of the lens. Generational lenses in the line include Varilux, Varilux 2, Varilux Multi Design, Varilux Comfort, Varilux Panamic, Varilux Liberty, Varilux Ipseo, Varilux Ellipse and Varilux Physio.

Europtik and Reptile Polarized join forces

Europtik Eyewear and Reptile Polarized Sunglasses have joined forces to create a new company. They will operate under the Europtik Group entity but will continue to trade under their own brands. Reptile founder Sam Kotob and Europtik cofounders Tom and Robert Clayton will comanage operations of the new company with Kotob as director of operations for all sunglass products and Robert Clayton as director of operations for all ophthalmic products. The new company will operate out of the Europtik headquarters in Cranston, R.I. "The merger strengthens both companies, enabling us to offer a wider range of premium product in both ophthalmic eyewear and sunglasses," says Kotob. Europtik distributes such brands as Jean Lempereur, Karavan, Karavan Kids, and Bermuda Bay/Polaroid. Reptile produces premium polarized sunglasses with its proprietary TPC-X lens system that utilizes breakthrough lens technology, coatings, and filters under the label "Reptile Polarized Sunglasses."

TRANSITIONS ACADEMY Explores Success

1. Transitions Optical's Jose Alves (l.) and Dave Cole (r.) handled master of ceremony duties. 2. Disney Institute Loyalty Challenge Field Experience winners collect their prizes from Disney characters. 3. National Geographic photographer and closing session keynote speaker Steve Winter joins Transitions Optical's Bette Zaret (l.). 4. Pat Huot, Transitions Optical's director, managed vision care, details Healthy Sight Working for You during the Managed Vision Care Track. 5. Balester Optical wins the coveted Transitions Lab of the Year honor. 6. Centro Integral Optico S.A. de C.V. wins the Latin America Lab of the Year award.

The 13th annual Transitions Academy, held January 25 to 28, 2009 at Disney's Yacht & Beach Club Resort in Orlando, Fla., offered business building tools and education to some 1,400 industry professionals.

"For the first time we were honored to welcome industry professionals from across Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA)," said David Cole, general manager of the Americas, Transitions.

The educational track included opening keynote speaker Erik Wahl, who inspired attendees using art as his vehicle to achieve greater levels of performance and differentiation. Closing keynote Steve Winter, a National Geographic photographer and 2009 Wildlife Photographer of the Year, discussed how protecting his eyes helped him "live his vision" and succeed in his field.

More than 100 vision plan providers and brokers attended the second annual Managed Vision Care Track, which provided attendees with education and resources to promote the importance of vision care and eyewear as it relates to overall health and employee productivity. A broker panel discussed hot-button issues for the vision benefits industry.

Balester Optical of Wilkes-Barre, Pa., was named the 18th U.S. Transitions Lab of the Year. During the recognition ceremony, Transitions also named the winners of the sixth annual Lab of the Year award in Brazil, Ceprolab, and Latin America, Centro Integral Óptico. Transitions also announced that a Lab of the Year program will be implemented for Europe beginning in 2009, with the first annual winner announced during the 2010 Transitions Academy.

Sundance Festival WRAP-UP

Luxottica was in the spotlight at the Sundance Film Festival with a strong Ray-Ban presence that kept the town of Park City rocking.

Once again, Ray-Ban showed its support for the film and music worlds by hosting both the ASCAP Music Café and the 2009 Ray-Ban Visionary Award during the film fest.

Alan Cumming, Eliza Dushku, Roman Diaz, Ralph Macchio, and others were on hand to honor Ewan McGregor at the Visionary Award ceremony. The evening was presented by Vittorio Verdun, vice president of marketing for Luxottica Group US, and Henry Schleiff, CEO of Crown Media Holdings.

In presenting the award to Ewan McGregor, actor and friend, Alan Cumming, said, "Ray-Ban is a brand that is classic and edgy and when I think of Ewan I think of exactly the same thing."

Clockwise from top: Actors Eliza Dushku, Ewan McGregor, and Ralph Macchio; McGregor and Alan Cumming together, and with (l to r) Henry Schlieff and Luxottica's Vittorio Verdun and Pierre Fay; DJ Brent Bolthouse; and Schleiff

Pixel unveils electronic lens to public

PixelOptics, Inc., will offer the first public display of its electronic lens at International Vision Expo East.

Consumer wearer trials have already begun for the company's changeable focus electronic eyeglasses, which focus faster than the blink of an eye using chemistry, electricity, and optics, doing so without moving parts.

"We will conduct a prolonged wearer trail to further refine this exciting technology both as an ophthalmic lens product and as a consumer product," says Bill Kokonaski, chief technology officer at PixelOptics. "When commercially launched, I believe it will be virtually impossible to distinguish Pixel's electronic eyewear from that of other conventional fashion eyeglasses based on style, thinness, transparency, and weight."

PixelOptics reports that it plans to spend much of 2009 optimizing the technology based on results from the trials, and will move forward with a major launch in 2010. Once commercially launched, the company expects to distribute the lenses through wholesale labs worldwide.

EYE ROCK HITS VISION EXPO

More than 20 of the optical industry's best rock musicians and singers will join the OffAxis band at the third Eye Rock Benefit Concert, hosted at the B.B. King Blues Club in New York City on March 28. The event will benefit OneSight, a Luxottica Group Foundation, which provides free vision care and eyewear to underprivileged individuals around the world.

Corporate sponsorships are available for the event. To become a sponsor and/or to purchase tickets, visit www.OneSight.org or email mcumming@onesight.org.

LICENSE LINEUP

The modern romantic women's brand Kensie recently announced an agreement with the Kenmark Group to create prescription eyewear and sunglasses for the 20-something market. It will launch July 2009 in department and specialty retailers.

Luxottica Group and Salvatore Ferragamo Italia S.p.A. announced a three-year extension of the license agreement for the design, production, and worldwide distribution of prescription frames and sunglasses under the Salvatore Ferragamo brand. The agreement runs through December 2011 with an option for a further two-year extension under the same terms.

In addition, Luxottica and Tory Burch LLC, announced the signing of a license agreement for the design, manufacture, and global distribution of sun and prescription eyewear under the Tory Burch and TT brands. The agreement will run for six years starting in January 2009 and is renewable for an additional four years. The first collection will be unveiled this summer and will reach the market in the fall.

Safilo Group announced the renewal of its licensing agreement with Sweetface Fashion Company, LLC, to design, manufacture, and market prescription and non-prescription sunglasses and prescription eyeglass frames for the retail and optical markets under the JLO by Jennifer Lopez brand. The renewal is in effect until 2011 with the possibility of an extension for a further two-year period.

Tura and Lulu Guinness have extended their license agreement through 2011 for the production and marketing of Lulu Guinness's ophthalmic and sunwear collections.

Hearst Brand Development recently signed a licensing agreement with New York Eye to create an optical collection just for teens. The new Seventeen Eyewear Collection will make its debut at the International Vision Expo. The collection offers 20 optical styles crafted from a combination of metals including nylon rimless and handmade zyl with spring hinges. The color palette includes black and tortoise, burgundy and blue plastics, warm earth tones as well as vibrant brights in a variety of finishes. Unique design details such as laminate laser-cut temples round out this fun, modern collection inspired by the teen lifestyle.

The Vision Council HOLDS SUMMIT

Strategies for success were on the table at The Vision Council's Executive Summit held at the Rancho Bernardo Inn in San Diego in January. Michael Daley of Essilor was installed as the chairman, as well as James Shyer of Zyloware Eyewear as vice-chair, Doug Hepper of Vision-Ease Lens as secretary/treasurer, and Larry Clarke of Satisloh North America, Inc., as immediate past chairman.

The Summit featured speakers with tips for success. The keynote speaker was business strategist and author, Michael Treacy, and attendees also heard from economist Jeff Thredgold. The Vision Council's next Executive Summit is scheduled for January 27 through 29, 2010, at The Fairmont Turnberry Isle Resort & Club in Aventura, Fla.

Prevent Blindness America's Hugh Parry and Jeff Todd with EB publisher Mark Durrick (center); longtime Vision Council member David Beach (l) retires from the board with a special recognition from outgoing president Larry Clarke; Hoya's Barney Dougher, Shamir's Hilaire van der Veen, and Schneider Optical Manufacturing's Kurt Atchison; speaker Michael Treacy; optical industry leaders at a celebratory dinner

WebWorld

Liberty Sport recently launched its new website, found at www.libertysport.com. The site has been designed to be more consumer friendly and to provide protective sports eyewear education. The company is a major supplier of Rxable performance sunwear and the Complete Sports Rx, and the new website provides a complete perspective on all Liberty Sport products.

In addition to the consumer area, the "retailer only/professional" area of the website has been expanded to include a "Doctor to Doctor" section offering advice from Dr. Paul Berman, plus sections on how to become a sports eye injury prevention center; how to sell protective sports eyewear; lab services and the ability to process an Rx on line; plus products, promotions, marketing materials, etc.

Ophthalmic and medical equipment manufacturer Keeler Instruments has launched a redesigned website to better meet the needs of its Internet customers in the ophthalmic, surgical, and veterinary ophthalmic markets. The new site, accessible at www.Keelerusa.com, includes detailed product information and allows customers to buy instruments directly online.

Physicians interested in Keeler's binocular indirect ophthalmoscopes, tonometers, handheld scopes, and surgical instruments and accessories can browse the new site by product category, navigating quickly to product detail pages illustrated with fullcolor images. As items are added to the shopping cart, the site suggests complementary products for review.

Special offers and promotional pricing are also available on the site, and Keeler's product catalog and informational brochures can be downloaded or printed page by page.

For additional support and purchasing options, the site's distributor locator helps visitors from the United States and around the world quickly find the closest authorized Keeler dealer.

STAR Gazers

1. Few people know that "Today Show" host Matt Lauer is the grandson of singer Art Gentry. Lauer, who is married to to Dutch-born model Annette Roque, is also the father of three children. Here, he models Karl Lagerfeld KL120 by Marchon. 2. South Dakota senator Tom Daschle was nominated to be President Obama's health secretary but later withdrew his nomination. While on Capitol Hill, Daschle is frequently seen in Lafont's Providence style in an attention-grabbing shade of red. 3. Actress Cheryl Hines, star of the new TV sitcom "In the Motherhood," studied comedy at the Groundlings Theater in Los Angeles. Her first teacher there? "Friends" alum Lisa Kudrow. Hines recently donned Yves Saint Laurent style YSL6222 by Safilo at the HBO Luxury Lounge. 4. A&A Optical Company has signed a three-year contract with Ron Jaworski, ESPN Monday Night Football analyst and former NFL star quarterback, to endorse the company's XXL eyewear brand. Jaworski, shown center here with A&A's Robert Liener (l) and Brandon Moore, will be featured in an advertising and marketing campaign launching the first quarter of 2009.