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Hot List: January 2013
Alicia Hoglund
1 Tweet Tweet
In its “Twitter Use 2012” report, Pew Research Center revealed the following statistics about Twitter usage broken down by age group.
| 18-29 | 26% |
| 30-49 | 14% |
| 50-64 | 9% |
| 65+ | 4% |
2 Seeing DoubleAccording to the Department of Health and Human Services Administration on Aging, by 2030, approximately 72.1 million Americans will be 65 or older, more than twice the number of individuals that age in 2000. |
3 Power Shift
According to a white paper by The Center for Generational Kinetics, Bazaarvoice, and Kelton Research, the annual spending power of millennials, now at over $200 billion, will eclipse baby boomers’ by 2017.
4 HELPING HANDSA study by the National Center for Policy Analysis found that 50 percent of parents with children between ages 18 and 39 are supporting them in some way, including living expenses, spending money, and helping to pay loans. |
IOFT 2012 Shows Strong Attendance
Close to 15,000 attendees gathered for the 25th International Optical Fair Tokyo (IOFT 2012), which was held at Tokyo Big Sight in Japan from October 22 to 24. The three-day event featured more than 500 exhibitors from all over the world showcasing the latest eyewear trends.
For the second year “Tide,” the IOFT International Designers area featured an exclusive collection of top international stylish and edgy brands from Europe, the U.S., and other regions. In addition, the show featured three national pavilions, including France, Korea, and Taiwan.
Held in conjunction with the IOFT was the Eyewear of the Year 2013 Awards presentation ceremony, as well as the Japan Best Dressed Eyes awards presentation, which celebrated Japanese celebrities with outstanding eyewear fashion sense.
IOFT 2013 is set for October 9 to 11 and will once again be held at Tokyo Big Sight. For more information, visit ioft.jp.
| Test Your Mettle! |
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We feature 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. Which extraocular muscle does not insert directly into the globe? OPTICIANRY Q. Plus lenses will show _________ movement. For the answers, go to FYI on page 74 |
1. Attendees view the latest fashion trends in the “Tide” area; 2. Lafont team members show the brand’s latest collections to buyers; 3. The opening ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the beginning of the three-day show
License Lineup
Luxottica and Prada have renewed their exclusive license agreement for the design, production, and worldwide distribution of prescription frame and sunglasses under the Prada and Miu Miu brands, effective until Dec. 31, 2018.
Allison S.p.A. has signed a license agreement with Fashion Box S.p.A. for all Replay branded sunwear and optical frames for men and women, including Replay, Replay & Sons, We Are Replay, and Red Seal.
Safilo Group has announced the early renewal of its licensing agreement for the design, manufacture, and worldwide distribution of MAX MARA and MAX&Co. eyewear collections through Dec. 31, 2019.
OPTICIANS MEET
The fifth annual National Opticians Conference was held in Alexandria, VA, Nov. 1 to 4, 2012. Events included 100 hours of CE, annual meetings of several opticianry groups, as well as awards and luncheons held in the exhibit hall. Several companies, including Transitions and Hoya, presented student awards; Essilor sponsored the annual and always fun NFOS College Bowl; and the OWA (Optical Women’s Association) sponsored a keynote address by Karen Michaelson, Connecting the DOTS!
Among the honors presented at the Conference, Craig Norman and Ursula Lotzkat received The Beverly Myers Award, Ellen Stoner received the Joseph Bruneni Memorial Education Achievement Award, and EB’s own Karlen McLean was presented the most prestigious award of all—The Lifetime Achievement Hall of Fame Award.
The 2013 conference will return to its former location, Cincinnati, OH, and will take place September 20 to 22.
1. OWA’s Grady Culbreth (l) and speaker Karen Michaelson take a break after the Saturday event; 2. It was a full house at the OWA-sponsored event; 3. The ceremonial ribbon cutting officially opened the conference; 4. Carole Bratteig, Transitions, and Danne Ventura, Essilor, chat in the exhibit hall; 5. Karlen McLean receives the Hall of Fame Award from NAO board member Jonathan E. Parrelli
Hong Kong Show a Success
The Hong Kong Optical Fair, sponsored by The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), was held Nov. 7 to 9, 2012, at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Nearly 13,000 attendees from 98 countries and regions visited the stands of 629 exhibitors from around the world.
Highlights included the 10th annual optometric conference, which this year focused on “New Frontiers in Ophthalmic Dispensing” and included Richard Clompus, OD, among its speakers.
Featured in the exhibit hall, the 14th annual Eyewear Design Competition was a big draw for both exhibitors and attendees. This year’s top winner in the corporate group was designer Lee Tsun Hung’s Mag Type frame, designed for OKIA Optical Co. Garnering the most attention on the show floor was the Brand Name Gallery, which this year boasted 166 brands.
The next Hong Kong Optical Fair is scheduled for Nov. 6 to 8, 2013.
1. Crowds gather near exhibits featuring Converse and Valentino Creations; 2. Speakers at the Optometric Conference included PixelOptics’ Richard Clompus, OD (5th from l); 3. Hong Kong Trade Development Council leaders toast the opening of the event; 4 EB’s Stephanie De Long speaks about trends; 5. The annual Eyewear Design parade shows off the hottest frame styles
Register Now for Mido 2013
Registration is now open for Mido 2013. The show, which will be held March 2 to 4 at the Fieramilano in Milan, Italy, boasts three full days of optical trends, design, and technology from companies the world over. Highlights of the this year’s show include the Design Lab, Asian Pavilion, Fashion District, Lens Pavilion, and Mido Tech.
INFO: Mido.it
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Luxottica Finalizes Mikli Deal, Partners with Salmoiraghi & Vigano |
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Luxottica has officially signed a purchase agreement to acquire 100 percent of Alain Mikli International. The sale comes one month after the pending deal was announced. In other news, Luxottica, Salmoiraghi & Viganò S.p.A., and Salmoiraghi & Viganò Holding S.R.L, the sole shareholder of Salmoiraghi & Viganò, announced an agreement in which Luxottica will subscribe to newly issued shares of Salmoiraghi & Viganò. The deal will result in Luxottica having a 36 percent equity stake in the Italian optical retailer. Salmoiraghi & Viganò, a leading Italian company in the eyewear retail sector, owns approximately 500 stores across Italy. |
On The Town
Maui Jim was on hand at the XIII Annual Latin Grammy Awards dress rehearsal, outfitting Latin music’s biggest stars with Maui Jim eyewear.
Match Eyewear team members recently attended the Sophia’s Heart Gala, which was cohosted by “American Idol” finalist Danny Gokey, who has an eyewear line with Match. Gokey started the foundation in 2007 in an effort to help children and families who have been affected by poverty, disease, and broken homes.
Safilo hosted a party at the Museum of Modern Art in New York to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of Polaroid Eyewear, with celebrities and optical professionals alike in attendance.
Luxottica held a private concert featuring The Flaming Lips with Rolling Stone at The Drake in New York in honor of Ray-Ban’s 75th anniversary.
1. The Flaming Lips perform at Luxottica’s Ray-Ban event; 2. Match Eyewear and Wisconsin Vision team member with Danny Gokey (2nd from l) at the Sophia’s Heart Gala; 3. 3Ball MTY sample Maui Jim sunwear at the Latin Grammy Awards; 4. The Mishapes attend Safilo’s Polaroid Eyewear anniversary party
TRANSITIONS ANNOUNCES 2012 AWARD FINALISTS
Transitions Optical, Inc., has named the finalists for its annual Transitions Academy Awards program. The prizes recognize optical labs, retailers, independent eyecare practices, vision benefits brokers, and human resource professionals for their commitment to the Transitions lens brand and promoting healthy sight within their businesses and communities.
The three finalists for U.S. Lab of the Year award are two-time finalist and past winner Diversified Ophthalmics, Cincinnati, OH; Expert Optics, Shorewood, IL; and previous winner and three-time finalist Walman Optical, Minneapolis. The winner will be inducted into the Heritage Lab Ambassador’s Club and receive benefits such as business consultation and marketing support.
Finalists for the third annual National Retailer of the Year award include Costco Optical, National Vision, Inc., and Visionworks (formerly Eye Care Centers of America/Empire Vision).
Finalists for the Regional Retailer of the Year award include the 14-location Barnet Dulaney Perkins Eye Center in Arizona; Henry Ford OptimEyes, with 18 locations around Metro Detroit; and SVS Vision Optical Centers, with 53 offices in the Midwest.
The 2012 Eyecare Practice of the Year finalists are Arizona Family Vision Center, Phoenix; Clarus Optical, Lacey, WA; and Complete Family Vision Care, San Diego.
The Vision Benefits Broker of the Year award will recognize professionals who are educating their employer customers about the value of vision benefits.
New in 2012, Transitions Academy will honor the Human Resource Visionary of the Year, which will recognize HR professionals who promote healthy sight to their workforce through superior vision care benefit offerings and education.
All finalists and winners will be recognized at an awards ceremony this month during the 17th annual Transitions Academy in Orlando, FL.
| ECP OF THE YEAR FINALISTS |
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For the second year, Transitions Optical is honoring an Eyecare Practice of the Year at the Transitions Academy Awards on January 29. The award celebrates loyal eyecare practice partners who are actively promoting the Transitions lens brand and healthy sight to their patients and communities. Here is a quick look at this year’s three finalists and their winning visioncare strategies. |
| ARIZONA FAMILY VISION CENTER |
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Offering the latest technologies is something practice owners Isonelie Rodriguez-Torres, OD, and Marlee Organ, OD, at Arizona Family Vision Center, P.C., say their patients value most. After Transitions Vantage lenses were made available, their entire staff had a set of glasses made with this new product to personally experience the technology and better educate their patients. The demographics of this practice, located in Phoenix, consist of more than 30 percent Spanish-speaking patients. Therefore, staff members frequently take advantage of the bilingual marketing pieces Transitions Optical offers—such as brochures, dispensing mats, and posters. For the first time, the practice held a Transitions-only Trunk Show, called “Transition into Autumn,” which owners say brought in 175 new customers to the office, resulting in a significant increase in Transitions lens product revenue. Owners say they are excited to implement this event as one of their many annual marketing strategies. |
| CLARUS OPTICAL |
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According to office administrator Kim Manthe, the staff at Clarus Optical first addresses patients’ specific needs before educating them on what options would be best for their vision, which includes Transitions Optical’s family of products. Golf is a popular activity in the communities Clarus Optical serves, which is why Clarus offers not only Transitions Optical’s everyday lens options, but also products that meet the unique visual demands of golf, like Definity Fairway Transitions adaptive sun lenses and Nike Max Transitions adaptive sunglasses. Located in Lacey, WA, the Clarus Optical team put a big focus on community outreach in 2012. Staff could be frequently spotted handing out educational materials on eye health and Transitions lenses at health fairs (they participated in more than 35), or providing vision screenings at community schools and events for military families. |
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COMPLETE FAMILY VISION CARE |
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Patients visiting Eric White, OD, and his staff at Complete Family Vision Care in San Diego are immediately introduced to the Transitions brand and messaging when they walk up to the practice building this year. The practice displays a “Transitions Eyecare Practice of the Year finalist” banner on its building, as well as “Life well lit” window decals that open the door to patient conversations about why the practice is a strong believer in Transitions lens products. While all staff members wear Transitions lenses, White says his secret to success is prescribing from the chair, and encourages his peers around the nation to follow a doctor-driven dispensing model through lectures and webinars throughout the year. |
STAR Gazers
1 Angelina Jolie hit the streets in Dolce & Gabbana style DG 2106K (1027/58) shades from the gold edition by Luxottica. Jolie is set to star in the upcoming movie “Maleficent” alongside Elle Fanning.
2 Celebrity stylist and reality show star Brad Goreski was spotted wearing Tony optical style frames by Sama Eyewear. Goreski can be seen in the hit reality show, “It’s a Brad, Brad World,” which has been renewed for a second season.
3 Singer-songwriter Carly Rae Jepsen smiled for the camera in Nine West optical style NW5006 glasses by Marchon. Jepsen was the top seller on iTunes in Australia, largely in part to her hit, “Call Me, Maybe.”
4 Drummer Chris Thompson looked like a rockstar in Waterways sunglasses by Maui Jim at the 46th Annual Country Music Awards. Thompson and his Eli Young Band bandmates are in the studio working on their second album.
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