FYI

FYI...

News Bits From the Industry

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ClearVision Optical has signed a multi-year agreement with Steve Madden to produce both eyewear and sunwear lines, beginning immediately.

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The Optical Women’s Association (OWA) board of directors has unanimously voted Maureen Cavanagh as OWA president, succeeding Heather Smith, who has accepted a role outside of the optical industry. Cavanagh’s experience with the OWA includes serving as professional development fund co-chair and director of the board.

Beth Marsh has joined Shire’s ophthalmic leadership team as commercial strategy lead for SHP640, the development program for an agent being studied to treat infectious conjunctivitis. Marsh has more than 20 years of experience in the ophthalmic pharmaceutical and medical device markets.

Marketing research institute GfK has appointed James Kennedy as business group director for POS tracking (optics). Kennedy will oversee GfK’s division monitoring optics retail sales and fitting experiences in North America.

IDOC has announced Maddie Langston joined the Prima Practice management team as its new marketing consultant.

Maureen Cavanagh, Optical Women’s Association

Beth Marsh, Shire

Luxottica’s Fabrizio Uguzzoni at the OneSight vision clinic at The Fresh Air Fund camp

Satisloh North America, Inc., based in Germantown, WI, has completed a 13,000-square-foot addition to its warehouse and moved its training academy, Satisloh Academy, into a newly expanded space. The new academy space features a dedicated classroom, trade show staging area, and private kitchen and entrance. “Our academy has its own practical lab for hands-on training with the appropriate machines and tools,” says Pete Lothes, Satisloh president/CEO. “They aren’t just looking at screen shots or manuals. They’re putting their hands inside a machine and learning—that’s invaluable.”

Satisloh technical trainer Dan Kurban (second from right) in action at Satisloh Academy

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Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc., has pledged $1.8 million in support of the Think About Your Eyes public awareness campaign, presented by The Vision Council and the American Optometric Association.

Liberty Sport has been approved as a business member of the American Motorcyclist Association. Liberty Sport’s motorcycle eyewear collection aims to promote safe conditions for the motorcycle community, and the company sponsors the Veterans Charity Ride to Sturgis and VRIDETV Canada.

Walman has expanded its Walman Instruments division with the acquisition of Eye Care Alliance (ECA), which specializes in refurbishment, repair, and support of advanced technology instrumentation. ECA will operate out of its existing facility in Apex, NC, as a branch of Walman Instruments.

Innexus has opened its Logo Design-A-Thon, in which companies in the optical industry can purchase design services throughout September (pricing varies by day). Check availability at getinnexus.com/logo-design-a-thon/. Innexus is a platform of Innereactive Media.

OneSight, a global nonprofit founded by Luxottica, closed out its 12th year of teaming up with The Fresh Air Fund’s Fishkill, NY, camp to provide eyecare services to campers. Approximately 150 volunteers from Luxottica and Luxottica-owned businesses provided screenings and exams, and made eyewear over the course of four weeks this summer, serving more than 3,000 children.

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The Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) has announced the recipients of the 2016 Special Recognition Awards: Mike Daley of The Vision Council is this year’s Industry Leadership Award winner. Morris Berman, O.D., of the Southern California College of Optometry at Marshall B. Ketchum University was awarded the ASCO Lifetime Achievement Award. Nicole Ross, O.D., assistant professor of optometry at the New England College of Optometry, as well as Nathan Lighthizer, O.D., director of Continuing Education at Northeastern State University, Oklahoma College of Optometry, received the Rising Star Award.

Angel Alvarez, founder and CEO of ABB OPTICAL GROUP, received the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Florida award in the distribution and manufacturing category.

Bausch + Lomb’s 2015 interactive experience, which encouraged SXSW festival attendees to “Get Their Blink On,” was honored with a Gold SABRE Award for “Consumer Health Campaign of the Year.” The SABRE Awards, created by public relations trade journal The Holmes Report, recognizes achievement in product branding and customer engagement.

Blanchard Contact Lenses has been named one of the top 19 leading vision care vendors in the world by Technavio’s global vision care market 2016-2020 report. Vendor ranking was based on revenue and market dominance in terms of experience, research & development, product portfolio, financials, and geographical presence.

Vision Source was recently honored as a winner in the 29th Annual CIO 100 Awards, which honor 100 organizations that stand out by creating business value through the innovative use of technology.