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Hot List: June 2011

Alicia Isenberg

1 Teen Queens

A recent study conducted by Seventeen magazine revealed that teens are still allotting most of their money for image-related products, spending the majority of their funds on the following.

• Cosmetics (70%)
• Clothing (72%)
• Hair products (71%)
• Skin care (74%)

2 Child's Play

According to NDP Group's Kids Industry Data Service (KIDS), the apparel/footwear category reported the largest dollar share with 26 percent of the 0- to 8-year-old group and 22 percent of the 9- to 14-year-old group, topping toys, video games, and other kid-centric items.

3 FACE TO FACE

It's no surprise that Keller Fay Group's year-long study revealed that more than any other age group, teens are the driving force behind word-of-mouth advertising. What is interesting is the way in which teens are relaying information to their peers.

75% via face-to-face communication

13% via the web

10% via telephone

4 Smells Like Teen SPIRIT

The Piper Jaffray 21st semi-annual Spring 2011 “Taking Stock with Teens Survey” revealed that 41 percent of teens stated that they planned to spend more on clothing in 2011 than last year, the highest percentage since the fall of 2008.

VSP and Transitions join relief efforts in the South and Midwest

In an effort to supply relief to those affected by the recent storms in the Southern and Midwestern U.S. states, VSP Vision Care and Transitions Optical, Inc., have mobilized the Eyenstein Mobile Eyes clinic. In addition, VSP has donated more than $1.15 million worth of eyecare vouchers to the American Red Cross to cover eye exams and materials for broken or lost glasses for individuals in the affected areas.

During a recent trip to Tuscaloosa, Ala., VSP doctors and optometry students, teachers, and alumni from the University of Alabama Birmingham provided more than 400 individuals with comprehensive eye exams and eyewear outfitted with Transitions lenses. Bess the Book Bus was also on hand to distribute books and read to children.

Updates on the relief efforts and information on volunteering can be found on Transitions Optical's professional Facebook page (Transitions Lenses: Healthy Sight Professionals). Industry professionals interested in volunteering can also contact VSP at MobileClinic@vsp.com.

1. Dr. Betz conducts a vision screening in the Eyenstein Mobile Eyes clinic in Tuscaloosa, Ala.; 2. Bess the Book Bus handed out books to children; 3. VSP's Niki Myers (r) with a patient; 4. University of Alabama volunteers outside the mobile clinic

More Laboratories Sign on for emPower! Production

Wholesale labs Midland Optical in St. Louis, Mo., Walman Optical, headquartered in Minneapolis, Minn., and now Expert Optics of Shorewood, Ill., have inked agreements to become part of the PixelOptics' emPower! electronic eyewear limited lab network in the U.S.

Sales representatives from all three partner labs will participate in comprehensive training in technical, presentation, and product demonstration techniques.

In addition, lab operators will benefit from in-depth sessions on lens processing, edging, mounting, verification, and testing topics.

Vision-Ease Lens Purchases Bangkok Cast Resin Facility

Vision-Ease Lens (VEL) is growing its presence in Asia by purchasing a cast resin factory located in Bangkok, Thailand. The agreement with Indelor Lens (Thailand) col., Ltd. (INDO) will be completed once governmental approvals and other conditions are satisfied.

The purchase will allow VEL to expand manufacturing ability in advanced technology and premium specialty resin products, including premium polarized, photochromic, and progressive offerings. The factory will also continue to manufacture and supply existing proprietary lenses to INDO.

The facility, built in 2004, features more than 40,000 square feet of manufacturing space. Current employees will be retained; existing operations will integrate with VEL's engineering, quality control, and manufacturing processes; and production will not be altered at the company's other facilities.

Fashion Optical Displays Bought by Veteran Employees

Northern Calif.-based Fashion Optical Displays (FOD) recently announced its sale to three of its current executives, Lori Estrada, Elizabeth Henton, and Matthew Kiraly. The FOD veterans purchased the company from retiring owners Katherine Maxwell and Ed Muehlberger. Together, the new owners have logged more than 70 years with the company, Henton and Estrada both joining FOD in 1983, followed by Kiraly in 1992. All three will remain in their current positions, Henton as CEO, Estrada as design and sales manager, and Kiraly as manager of research and design, promotion, and marketing departments. In addition, the trio plans to retain all current employees to ensure a smooth transition for all staff.

TEAM PLAYERS

ATP pro tennis player Gaël Monfils from France has signed on to be the newest tennis ambassador for Maui Jim. In his new role, Monfils will help the company raise awareness of the importance of sunglasses for tennis.

Arnette Eyewear recently announced that it has welcomed three new riders to its skate team family: Mark Appleyard and brothers Ryan and Scott Decenzo.

While behind the wheel of the Wiley X-sponsored No. 17 Ford Fusion, dubbed the “Wiley X Sunglass Machine,” NASCAR driver Matt Kenseth took home the top prize at the second Sprint Cup Series Race at Dover International Speedway in Dover, Del.

1. Gaël Monfils is the newest Maui Jim brand ambassador; 2. NASCAR driver Matt Kenseth's No. 17 Ford Fusion, sponsored by Wiley X; 3-4. Mark Appleyard and Ryan and Scott Decenzo are the newest riders to join the Arnette Eyewear team

Web Watch

As part of its Life Less Squinty consumer education campaign promoting the benefits of Transitions lenses and glare and UV protection, Transitions Optical, Inc., is inviting consumers to upload photos of their best “squinty” face to LifeLess-Squinty.com. The promotion runs through the end of June, at which time Transitions will select up to 60 photos to be featured on real billboards in five markets across the country.

Eschenbach Optik is offering online low-vision education to assist practitioners in maximizing their low-vision patient outcomes. The one-hour webinars cover a variety of topics, including device category reviews and clinical and practice management issues. More information can be found on the Eschenbach website (eschenbach.com). To register, send an email to dsommers@eschenbach.com.

Oakley, Inc., has partnered with digital publisher Zinio to launch ONE ICON: Oakley Magazine. The free e-magazine features photography and interactive video content to extend the Oakley brand to new segments of the sports and performance lifestyle community. The e-magazine is accessible on most reading devices, including Zinio Reader, iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, and select Android-powered devices. Visit oneiconmagazine.com to view the Spring 2011 edition.

The Opticians Association of America (OAA) is now offering continuing education courses online. OAA members now have access to 13 American Board of Opticianry courses on the OAA website at discounted rates. The OAA plans to expand its course offerings to build its online education library in the future. For a list of available courses, or to suggest topics for future courses, visit the OAA website at oaa.org.

Above: Those who visit Transitions' new promotional site, LifeLess-Squinty.com, can upload photos for a chance to be featured on a future Transitions Optical billboard

Right: Oakley recently debuted a new e-magazine that gives readers an exclusive inside look at some of today's top athletes using Oakley brand products

Test Your Mettle!

Whether you're new to your profession or have been in practice for 20 years, remembering everything you've learned is one tough assignment. To help you clear any cobwebs, Test Your Mettle features one question each month for optometrists from a previous Varilux Optometry Super Bowl and one for opticians from a National Federation of Opticianry Schools College Bowl. Thanks to Essilor and NFOS for providing this month's questions and answers. OPTOMETRY Q. A lens is decentered 3mm up and creates a 2.10D base down prismatic effect. What is the power of the lens? OPTICIANRY Q. Widening the bridge or nose pad position of a frame will reposition the frame in which way? Answers, at the end.

On The Town

Minneapolis-based Ogi Eyewear and Moss Optical recently participated in Voltage: Fashion Amplified 2011, showcasing their latest eyewear collections. Designed to help catapult up-and-coming designers to the next level, the runway rock show, which took place in Minneapolis, featured the Spring 2011 lines of many Minnesota designers as well as a premier lineup of bands.

Located in the heart of Copenhagen, Denmark, Orgreen's newest flagship store features ultra-modern decor reminiscent of the sleek and chic lines of the designer eyewear. The boutique carries a complete selection of Orgreen's latest frame collections along with selected styles from Reiz, Blinde, Zuerihorn, and ic! Berlin.

Renowned British environmentalist David de Rothschild was in New York on Earth Day signing copies of his new book, Plastiki: Across the Pacific on Plastic, an Adventure to Save Our Oceans, which chronicles Rothschild's journey from San Francisco to Sydney atop a boat made from 12,500 plastic bottles. The journey, dubbed the Plastiki Expedition, was sponsored in part by Revo Eyewear

1-2. Orgreen's open, airy 150 square-meter new boutique in Copenhagen boasts a clean, modern aesthetic with custom-made furniture, oak and leather stand-alone units, and sleek wall display cases

3. David de Rothschild was on hand to sign copies of his new book about the Plastiki Expedition, which was sponsored in part by Revo Eyewear, at Paragon Sports in New York City

4-5. Moss Optical's Kevin Moss (c) with guests at the Voltage: Fashion Amplified 2011 show. Show attendees took in the latest fashions from various Minnesota-based designers

License Lineup

ClearVision Optical has signed a license agreement with designer Mark Ecko for the design, manufacturing, and distribution of the Mark Ecko Cut & Sew Collection. The hush-hush agreement was announced last month at the collection's launch party, held at the Exit Art Gallery in New York City.

V.P.I. Canada Limited is now the exclusive North American distributor for the Italian-made Biaggiotti Eyewear collection of sunglasses and ophthalmic frames.

Through the Beanstalk Group, a global brand licensing agency and consultancy, Smile Eyewear has signed a trademark licensing agreement with the U.S. Army to produce eyewear, sports frames, and ready-made readers with the use of the U.S. Army trademark(s).

The launch of the initial collection is slated for this summer. According to a statement from the U.S. Army, all net revenue must be devoted to U.S. Army morale, welfare, and recreation programs.

1. Mark Ecko speaks to attendees of the Mark Ecko Cut & Sew press event in New York City; 2. Mark Ecko samples a pair of frames from his latest men's collection; 3. (l to f) Effy Zinkin, president of emerging business and licensing at Marc Ecko Enterprises, Peter Friedfeld, ClearVision's executive vice president, Marc Ecko, and David Milliman of ClearVision Optical's product design team

STAR Gazers

1. Sammy “The Red Rocker” Hagar and wife, Kari, pose for the camera in Alexandar Daas sunglasses, Sammy wearing model “Eye Do II” and Kari sporting the “Eye Do” style.

2. Young starlet Ashley Greene was recently spotted at the Coachella music festival wearing Paul Frank's “My Excuse to Travel” style sunglasses from Baumvision. Greene portrays ever-teen bloodsucker Alice Cullen in the latest installment of the popular vampire drama, “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn–Part 1,” which will hit theatres later this year.

3. Kathy Bates recently donned Cole Haan style 664 sunglasses by ClearVision Optical while taping an episode of “Harry's Law,” an NBC drama about a group of misfit lawyers who work at an unconventional firm.

4. Singer and actress Ashlee Simpson was all smiles in Safilo's Alexander McQueen model AMQ 4167/S shades. After taking a break to raise her son, Bronx, Simpson is back to work on a new album.

5. Jane Lynch, star of Fox's musical comedy, “Glee,” was photographed wearing bebe sun style BB7003 sunglasses by Altair Eyewear. Lynch is currently hard at work filming “The Three Stooges,” which will release in 2012.

6. Violet Affleck, the eldest daughter of Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner, is the picture of perfection in cats-eye style cotton candy sunglasses by Eyes Cream Shades. Violet's parents have been spotted around town touring schools in preparation for her entrance into kindergarten this fall.

7. Young actor Rico Rodriguez is looking sharp in black NK5509 style shades by Nike. Catch Rodriguez as Manny Delgado on the ABC hit comedy “Modern Family.”

8. Brad Pitt was recently photographed wearing Legacie David Yurman style DY 620 sunwear. Pitt stars in Terrence Malick's new movie, “The Tree of Life,” which is now in theatres nationwide.

Test Your Mettle ANSWERS
Thanks to Essilor and the NFOS for providing this month's questions and answers. Optometry Answer: −7.00D Opticianry Answer: Lower the frame