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Hot List: December 2010

Rip Me Off

1 In November, just over half (54 percent) of the small business executives participating in The Chubb Private Company Risk Survey said they assume employees will steal from them over the next 12 months. Despite such pessimism, less than a third of them (30 percent) say they've theft over the past five years.

AOA Prez Talks Healthcare

In a call on Nov. 4, AOA president Joe Ellis, OD, talked about the AOA's role in the November elections as well as changes he foresees as a result of the elections.

• PAC. “Optometry was a very powerful force in many key races. AOA members invested more than ever before in AOA-PAC—nearly $2 million—and this was to back the campaigns of about 329 winning candidates out of the 363 that were endorsed. Overall, the AOA-PAC had a 90 percent success rate.”

• HEALTHCARE REFORM. “With healthcare reform still being a top priority in our capitol, and healthcare overhaul implementations already shifting to the states, we have a lot of work to do. We intend to safeguard our patient access gains. We also have much work to do on the children's vision essential healthcare benefit.”

• MEDICARE. “Payments to optometrists and other doctors will be cut 23 percent on Dec. 1. And, it's projected to be another 6.5 percent on Jan. 1. The AOA is working with a broad coalition of organizations in supporting at least a minimum—a short-term physician payment patch.”

• FUTURE FOCUS. “The landscape on healthcare reform is, in general, all over the place. Representative Boehner (Speaker Boehner-to-be) said he did expect some sweeping re-examinations of some of healthcare reform's unpopular provisions.”

Vision Council
Executive Summit Set

Registration for The Vision Council's 2011 Executive Summit is now open. The meeting is slated for Jan. 26 to 28 at the Ritz Carlton, South Beach, in Miami, and offers an opportunity to network with fellow thought leaders.

The program for the Executive Summit includes a keynote address by Jon Landau, co-producer of Avatar and winner of three Academy Awards. Landau will discuss the past, present, and future of 3D technology, as well as profit centers for 3D in the optical industry. Todd Buchholtz, former White House economic policy director, will cover the hot topic of the economy.

The 2011 program will also feature breakouts and roundtables on topics such as the impact and influence of social media, transformational leadership, and employee vs. independent sales force structures.

INFO: thevisioncouncil.org/executivesummit

License Lineup

Marchon has announced the renewal of its license agreement for the Sean John Eyewear Collection. The original agreement, which was signed in 2006, has been renewed for an extended term.

New York Eye announces an exclusive licensing agreement with the Ernest Hemingway brand. The initial product launch will feature up to a dozen plastic frames in black and tortoise combinations including vertically demarcated crystal colors. Vintage-inspired forms are crafted to appeal to the style-minded male and female segments ages 20 and up.

Altair and Tommy Bahama, the U.S.-based apparel, accessories, and home furnishings subsidiary of Oxford Industries, Inc., have extended their current license agreement for design and distribution of eyewear and sunwear through September 2016.

Exhibits Up at Hong Kong Show

Images clockwise from top left: design contest winner Okia style Lashes-Fly by Bobo Lai; the show floor; a presentation by Anthony Tan on market trends; the Eyewear Parade

The 18th annual Hong Kong Optical Fair took place last month in Hong Kong. Organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, the event welcomed a record number of 565 exhibitors from a record number of over 20 countries. The halls featured individual booths grouped by category as well as national and regional pavilions such as the Japan Village.

Among the well-attended events were presentations by Anthony Tan and Raymond Lai from the Asian market research firm, GfK. According to just-released GfK Asia research presented by Tan, Asian optical leaders “reflect a 21 percent improvement in business sentiments over last year.”

Running in tandem with the show was the eighth Hong Kong Optometric Conference. This year's focus was eyecare for the elderly and featured experts from Hong Kong's Polytechnic University as well as speakers from the U.K., U.S., Australia, and Japan.

A highlight of each year's fair is the Eyewear Design Competition. Now in its 12th year, on exhibition were eyewear creations from local designers and suppliers. Among the winners was Okia's Lashes-Fly, which received first place in the Open Design Group, as well the Grand Award and the Greatest Creativity Award.

Satisloh North America and National Optronics Integrate

Satisloh North America and National Optronics have established an integrated business relationship. They have shared a sales force and trade show space since 2009.

Notes Andy Huthoefer, National Optronics' CEO, “It's a natural progression for the companies to take this cooperation to the next level and offer our customers complete solutions for their optical technology and consumables needs from a simplified, single source.”

The National Optronics facility in Charlottesville, Va., will specialize in manufacturing, R&D, and technical service. Finishing service needs, including Satisloh ES edger products, will be handled by the National Optronics technical service team along with Satisloh service engineers.

Adds Larry Clarke, president and CEO of Satisloh: “We're harmonizing our warranties: 12 months parts and labor on new machines and six months on all spare parts. There will be one consolidated monthly statement listing all National Optronics and Satisloh purchases. Our number-one goal for this cooperation is to create a partner that's easy to deal with while saving our customers time and money.”

Web Watch

ClearVision Optical has introduced several updates to the ClearVision homepage with extra added benefits for the eyecare professional. Industry professionals can now visit ClearVision's homepage and have access to its new Online Ordering or the strategically placed email sign-up button.

VISIT: www.cvoptical.com

With the number of its Facebook fans surpassing the 2 million mark, Gucci announces the launch of “Eye Want You,” a new Facebook application featuring eyewear from the Gucci Eyeweb Collection designed by creative director Frida Giannini and produced by Safilo.

VISIT: www.facebook.com/GUCCI

Kenmark is connecting with the optical industry by launching Facebook and Twitter accounts. It's a new way for customers to see the inside scoop at Kenmark. By becoming a fan, customers will have direct access to the latest news and information on Kenmark and its brands. Visitors can preview new releases, go behind the scenes at Kenmark photo shoots, and get an up-close look at how the design team works. From posting design inspirations to final product, the goal is to engage customers in discussions that allow them to provide the company with feedback and suggestions. Kenmark plans to post and tweet often to keep the information fresh and exciting.

VISIT: facebook.com/pages/Kenmark-Group

Arnette's re-launched website features updates like a revamped blog, product section, dealer locator, events calendar, and homepage with team rider Twitter feeds. The new-and-improved site is the central hub for all Arnette social media efforts.

VISIT: Arnette.com

Vision-Ease Lens has launched coppertonelenses.com, where consumers can learn more about the vision protection benefits and technology used in Coppertone products. A “see the difference” section shows the glare reduction that Coppertone lenses provide and offers a UV Index tool. The website also includes a provider lookup tool.

VISIT: coppertonelenses.com

Shown top to bottom: Arnett's re-launched site; Gucci's Eye Want You Facebook application; Kenmark's new Facebook page; ClearVision's upgraded website; and Vision-Ease's Coopertone Lens site

ACE Awards
Recognize Marchon's Al Berg

A l Berg has been recognized with the 2010 ACE Business Visionary Award at the 14th annual ACE Awards held at Cipriani in New York City.

“It's a great honor to receive the ACE Business Visionary Award from Karen Giberson and the Accessories Council board members," says Al Berg, Marchon CEO. “Over the past 26 years Marchon has developed into a leading company in the eyewear industry by partnering with amazing brands, incredible global partners, and dedicated employees.”

Founded in 1983, Marchon has developed an extensive brand portfolio to include designer licenses such as Calvin Klein, Coach, Diane von Furstenberg, Marchon Emilio Pucci, Fendi, Jil Sander, Karl Lagerfeld, Michael Kors, Nautica, Nike, and Sean John. Recently, Marchon announced new licensed brands and initiatives including global launches of Lacoste, bebe, and Marchon3D.

Additional honorees were:

Retailer of the Year: Henri Bendel

E-Tailer of the Year: QVC; Hall of Fame: Tiffany & Co.; Brand Collaboration: Maria Sharapova and Cole Haan; Designer of the Year: Alber Elbaz; Brand Launch of the Year: Rachel Rachel Roy; Humanitarian Award: Lauren Bush; Marylou Luther Award for Fashion Journalism: Kim Hastreiter.

Hip-hop artist Kanye West was presented the Style Maker of the Year award, the first male to win the honor.

Above, Marchon's Al Berg with his Business Visionary Award and, below, with fellow honoree Kanye West

STAR Gazers

1. Reigning pop music princess Britney Spears was spotted wearing Jee Vice's Crybaby frames recently. The singer sported the sunglasses while out shopping in Canoga Park, Calif.

2. Aussie superstar Kylie Minoguewearing Yves Saint Laurent sunglasses, model YSL 6308/S made by Safilo.Image courtesy of “Olycom Rexfeatures.”

3. For many, Richard Chamberlainwill always be the king of the miniseries, leaving his dramatic touch in roles in “Shogun” and “The Thornbirds.” Here he's making a modern dramatic statement in style Actor Circle from Jhane Barnes produced by Kenmark.

4. Sporting a tougher look, Katey Sagal stars in “Sons of Anarchy” on FX. The former Peg Bundy from “Married With Children,” is on set in REM Eyewear's John Varvatos sunglass style V746.

STAT BOX

A new survey from WellPoint and Transitions Optical indicates that the majority of active participants are unaware of the potential damage the sun can have on their eyes—and the eyes of their children—when they are outside. The results of an online omnibus survey of 2,500 Americans ages 18 and older indicate that many participants rarely consider the potential risks to their vision from the sun. In fact, when thinking about the harmful effects of extended sun exposure, the majority of participants focus on the following.

GOOD IDEA
BUY LOCAL

Here's a great idea that you can do with other local businesses in your area. In New Jersey, the Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce is running a buy-local ad campaign to help promote local stores. The “Buy Your Treasures Locally” is appearing in windows, storefronts, and billboards as well as on local retailers' Facebook pages and websites.

Buy-local campaigns aren't new. But stressing the ease of ordering online from your local businesses is a new twist that makes great sense.

Passing: A&A's Moore

Brandon Moore, 35, A&A Optical vice president, and industry veteran, died at home in Lubbock, Texas, on Oct. 28, 2010, after a long progression of illnesses.

Brandon joined A&A Optical in February 2001 as a sales consultant for the West Texas and New Mexico territory and had steadily built a distinguished career over nine years with A&A, overseeing sales and marketing and holding a series of senior roles, which culminated in his partnership and minority ownership in A&A Optical Company.

Robert Liener, A&A Optical's president and CEO, reflected:

“Brandon was more than just a business partner to me and A&A Optical, but a trusted friend, a confidant, and a leader."

Liener added: “We truly saw eye-to-eye on so many things. He welcomed each day with energy and enthusiasm and he was wise beyond his years. Brandon earned the respect of his peers by the way he treated each and every one of them. He was a fighter for what he believed was true and correct and a fighter throughout his illness. Brandon was an amazing and talented person—and a loving friend. I will miss him tremendously. We will all miss him dearly.”

On the Town

Out on the greens, on the red carpet, and on the town, the optical industry mixed and mingled at a number of events (top and bottom rows, l to r).

A&A had partnered with South Jersey Eye Center for the annual Ron “Jaws” Jaworski Fall Golf Classic. This year, the Jaws Youth Fund partnered with Wal-Mart and A&A Optical to support the featured recipient, South Jersey Eye Center's “Sight First for Kids” program. A&A Optical helped make the dream of corrected vision for kids a reality by donating Jalapeños and PEZ optical frames to the South Jersey Eye Center. Shown (top row l.): Ron Jaworski (center) with Play Fore Sight tournament winners.

Oakley CEO, Colin Baden, with Kristen McCabe, associate vice president of product development for Luxottica Retail, at a launch party for new frame style Jury.

Blake Lively, “Gossip Girl” actress, attended Tiffany & Co.'s Spring 2011 eyewear launch event in New York City to check out the new collection and the special new Tiffany Key frames from Luxottica.

Rx eyewear hit the red carpet in Canada thanks to Wescan Optical's participation in the 6th annual Tastemakers lounge during the 35th Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). Wescan fit personalities with the latest frames from FYSH UK, Kliik denmark, and Evatik. Celebrities fit included actors (shown bottom row l. to r.) Freida Pinto, Ryan Kwanten, and Patrick Wilson (Images by Central Image Agency Inc.).

Oakley has also entered the 3D market with a Tron special edition to celebrate the release of “TRON: Legacy,” opening in U.S. theaters on Dec. 17. The new “TRON” Limited Edition 3D Gascan by Oakley.

Shamir Insight recently held its first Freeform Extravaganza in Orange, Calif. Twelve partner labs and approximately 100 ECPs attended the mini trade show and educational seminars. ABO-approved “10 Types of Freeform” and “Five Pair Sales” were presented by Todd Hasselius, director of education for Shamir Insight.