News

{JUNE 2014}
Hot List

1
BIG IMPACT

1,000
Companies that generate more than 1,000 Facebook likes also receive nearly 1,400 website visits a day

40%
of small businesses feel that social media is amplifying word-of-mouth referrals

74%
of brand marketers saw an increase in website traffic after investing just six hours each week in social media

Source: innovativedigitalsolutions.net

2
PICTURE THIS

Forrester Research, Inc.’s “Q1 2014 U.S. Top 50 Brands Social Webtrack” revealed that brands get more customer engagement via Instagram than Facebook or Twitter.

For every one million followers, branded content receives
300
interactions on Twitter
700
interactions on Facebook
40,000
interactions on Instagram

3
BAD DESIGN

A poorly designed mobile site will make 57 percent of consumers unwilling to recommend a company.

Source: Mobile Marketer

4
MAJORITY STAKE

Social media and blogs reach 8 out of 10 U.S. Internet users and account for 23% of all time spent online.

Source: Content Marketing Institute

MITSUI CHEMICALS ACQUIRES CORNING’S SUNSENSORS BRAND

Japan-based Mitsui Chemicals has acquired the SunSensors photochromic lens operations from Corning, Inc. The acquisition includes the business rights of Corning’s photochromic lens material, patents for the photochromic monomer, and trademark rights of SunSensors and SunSensors+. According to Mitsui, the move will allow the company to “aggressively develop and sell competitive new photochromic lens materials.”

Mitsui manufactures high- to low-index lens materials and coatings, and is known for its thin and light “MR Series” durable and clear high-index lens material. Corning, known for its glass lens offerings, has been a driving force in the photochromic lens market since the 1960s.

Mitsui notes that it plans to use its global customer and sales network to bolster sales growth of the SunSensors products while intensifying development of new, competitive vision care materials, including next-generation photochromic lens materials.

Corning was a pioneer in the photochromic market in the 1960s when it first launched its glass photochromic lenses. As technology advanced, it continued its innovations, including the SunSensors brand of plastic photochromic lens material. It also produces a host of glass ophthalmic lens products and a polarized coating.

Outside of optical, Corning, Inc., is well-known for its glass products, including Gorilla Glass and various LCD glass products.

The Vision Council’s European Sunglass Committee Holds 2014 Spring Conference

the Vision Council’s European Sunglass Committee, formerly The European Sunglass Association, hosted its first meeting for members since merging with The Vision Council. Attended by 50 vision industry professionals from 11 different countries, the two-day conference, which was held May 15 and 16 at the Sofitel Budapest Chain Bridge Hotel, Hungary, featured networking opportunities and sessions on topics designed to help industry executives expand their businesses in a global marketplace.

Highlights of the conference included interactive presentations and panel discussions, such as an exclusive session on the global economy led by Julius Horvath, PhD, a renowned professor of economics at Central European University in Budapest. Additional presentations focused on the European and U.S. optical markets, with panel discussions on the impact of 3D and HD printing on the optical industry as well as the latest in sunglass lens technology, fashion, and function. In the evening, members were invited to a networking reception followed by a gala dinner.

INFO: thevisioncouncil.org

Attendees of the European Sunglass Committee Spring 2014 Conference listen in on one of the many presentations

NANOFILM UNVEILS NEW ANTI-BACTERIAL EYEWEAR CLEANER

Nanofilm, maker of specialty optical coatings and cleaners, has announced the development of a new nanotechnology-based liquid treatment for eyewear that cleans the surface, kills bacteria on contact, and retains the bactericidal property for up to five days after a single application, say company representatives. The simple spray-and-wipe formula can effectively clean all components of the eyewear, including frames, lenses, and nose pads.

Nanofilm tested the efficacy of the treatment against Staphylococcus Aureus, a bacteria commonly found on the human skin. It found that one application was sufficient to kill 99.99 percent of the bacteria on initial contact and continued to kill 99.99 percent on contact for five days. All ingredients used in the formulation are recognized as safe to humans and the surfaces to which the liquid is applied, note company representatives.

Currently, a release date has not been set. Representatives note that Nanofilm is engaged in assessing the interest in the market and building partnerships with optical companies to bring this to commercialization as quickly as possible.

INFO: nanofilmproducts.com

THINK ABOUT YOUR EYES GAINS MORE SUPPORTERS

The Professional Eyecare Resource Co-Operative (PERC) and Infinity Vision Alliance (IVA) have formally announced their endorsement of the Think About Your Eyes (TAYE) advertising campaign. In addition, the two organizations, which collectively represent approximately 1,100 practices in 44 states in the U.S., are encouraging their members to join in and support the TAYE initiative.

A subsidiary of The Vision Council, Think About Your Eyes is projecting this year’s campaign to reach 93 percent of adults aged 25 to 54 through national television, radio, print, and online/digital advertising with strong educational and motivational messages focusing on eye disease, eye strain, kids’ vision, and the positive impact of annual eye exams on overall health. National advertising and public relations will drive consumers to schedule an eye exam and direct them to the campaign website where they can find a local TAYE member provider.

INFO: thinkaboutyoureyes.com

AAO Launches New Online Learning Center

The American Academy of Optometry has announced the launch of a Live Learning Center. The new online resource, which connects eyecare professionals and vision scientists with education session recordings from the AAO annual meetings, is designed to keep both members and non-members up to date on the latest industry trends while earning continuing education credits throughout the year.

The recorded sessions are free for AAO members and tests for select courses may be purchased for $25 to claim COPE-approved distance learning credits.

INFO: aaopt.sclivelearningcenter.com

On the Town

A where and when of the latest industry events

BAHAMA MAMA

A team from Harper’s Bazaar and Tommy Bahama discussed the styles for spring and summer at the Tommy Bahama Fifth Avenue flagship store. Warming up in the hotter months: bright colors, vibrant prints, and cool sunglasses.

Top to bottom: A classic sunglass style from Tommy Bahama, which is distributed by Altair Eyewear, sets the look for summer; a team from Tommy Bahama and Harper’s Bazaar shows off the latest hot-weather styles

LUXOTTICA CELEBRATES RAY-BAN

Ray-Ban’s District 1937 event by Luxottica gave movers and shakers in New York a chance to experience how materials have been reinvented to create iconic Ray-Ban styles. The crowd was also treated to performances by Blondie and Ms Mr.

Left, Blondie takes the stage of Ray-Ban’s District 1937 event; right, denim artistry on display

STRIPPED DOWN

Calvin Klein, Inc., held a special presentation featuring the men’s and women’s looks from the Fall 2014 Calvin Klein white label, including sportswear, tailored clothing, dresses, outerwear, performancewear, jeanswear, underwear, footwear, and accessories as well as eyewear, which is distributed by Marchon. For the presentation, models wearing looks from the Fall 2014 lines posed in an uplifting environment cast in blush tones created by fragrant rows of cherry blossoms.

Models have a little fun—and show some skin—at the Calvin Klein Fall 2014 white label presentation, which featured the latest Calvin Klein eyewear line from Marchon

FYI

News bits from the industry

{PEOPLE}

Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc., recently announced the appointment of Charissa Lee, O.D., to director, education, of Johnson  & Johnson Vision Care, Inc., North America. Reporting to Millicent Knight, O.D., head of professional affairs, Dr. Lee will lead the development of programs supporting the schools and colleges of optometry across the U.S.

The McGee Group has announced several promotions within its sales team as a strategy to increase sales with an expanded direct sales force: Charles Lee will manage the McGee Group’s direct sales representatives as the central states sales director; Joe Cipriano is the new sales director of western states; and Dave Martens is the new southeastern states sales director.

{PASSINGS}

Earle L. Hunter, O.D., CAE, former executive director of the American Optometric Association (AOA), passed away on April 27 in St. Louis at the age of 85. Dr. Hunter served as a member of the AOA Board of Trustees from 1971 to 1974. In 1975, he moved to St. Louis to begin his career with the AOA, culminating as its executive director, a position from which he retired in 1995. Funeral services were held in Dr. Hunter’s honor on May 3, at the Church of St. Michael and St. George in Clayton, MO.

{BUSINESS UPDATES}

Vision-Ease Lens has announced that U.S. soccer star Mia Hamm recently signed on to represent Coppertone Polarized sun lenses. Hamm will star in a new marketing campaign, complete with in-office materials for ECP use.

Rudy Project recently announced its sponsorship of FBI Special Agent Edward Ignacio as he races to raise funds to help build the Hawaii Law Enforcement Memorial Foundation. Ignacio is competing in a number of triathlons while wearing full tactical gear, including a bulletproof vest and other equipment adding on nearly 40 pounds. Rudy Project has pledged its support by providing Ignacio with technically advanced helmets and sunglasses as well as help in spreading the word about his cause.

INFO: e-rudy.com

1. U.S. soccer star Mia Hamm is the new sponsor of Coppertone Polarized sun lenses, distributed by Vision-Ease Lens; 2. Charissa Lee, O.D., Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc., North America; 3, 4, & 5. The McGee Group’s Charles Lee, Joe Cipriano, and Dave Martens; 6. Essilor of America’s Danne Ventura (l) with State University of New York (SUNY) College of Optometry president David Heath 7. Rudy Project has pledged its support of FBI Special Agent Edward Ignacio as he races to help build a Law Enforcement Memorial in the only state without one: Hawaii; 8. Envision CEO Michael Monteferrante with David Meador, past-president and current national champion of the United States Blind Golf Association

{GOOD DEEDS}

At the Eyes on New York gala, which was held at Cipriani in New York in conjunction with Vision Expo East, The Optometric Center of New York (OCNY), a philanthropic arm of SUNY College of Optometry, announced that it has raised more than $9.5 million toward its $10 million goal. The goal was part of a five-year campaign that was established in 2009 to support the College’s education, patient care, research, and community health care initiatives.

In related news, Essilor of America has donated $250,000 to SUNY College of Optometry to support a state-of-the-art optical laboratory. As part of the gift, which will be donated over the course of five years, Essilor is providing SUNY’s optical lens fabricating laboratory with a new lens edger.

In recognition of the gift, the school will name its dispensary the “Essilor Eyewear Center.”

The non-profit organization Envision held its 19th Annual Envision Golf Tournament and “Gold Fore Vision” fund-raiser last month in Wichita, KS.

{AWARDS}

Through the “Road to Academy 2015: Recommend to Attend” promotion, Transitions Optical, Inc., is giving eyecare professionals a chance to earn their way to attend the 19th annual invitation-only Transitions Academy 2015. Open to certified members of the Transitions Star Partner Program, the promotion challenges ECPs to grow their Transitions lens sales by recommending Transitions lenses to current wearers of both photochromic and clear lenses. The promotion, which runs through August 31, 2014, is open to current as well as new Star Partners.

INFO: TransitionsStarPartner.com/RoadtoAcademy

Puzzle
Game On
FREE-FORM LENSES

{WORD SEARCH}

Free-form manufacturing allows lens companies to overcome the design limitations of traditionally fabricated lenses. Patients benefit from free-form lenses by experiencing better vision as a result of the customization and precise optics made possible by digital surfacing. Try to find all of the terms in this puzzle that relate to free-form technology.

By Jenean Carlton, BA, ABOC, NCLC

WORD BANK

Accurate

Add

Back surface

Base curve

Benefits

Comfort

Computer-aided

Configuration

Customized corridors

Diamond cutter

Digital

Direct-surfaced

Dual surface

Enhanced

Free-form lenses

Front surface

High definition

Individualized

Less distortion

Manufacturing process

Non-traditional

Performance

Personalized

Precision

Progressives

Single vision lenses

Smooth transitions

Software

Three-axis cutting

{SOLUTION}

The answers to the May 2014 Word Search