Hot List: April 2007

Fashion Facts

Do you know who�s who in fashion? While optical has its roots in medical, the fashion aspect is a powerful influence in the buyer�s mind.

The hottest designers for the year were announced recently when The Council of Fashion Designers of America named the following innovators the leaders of the day:

Womenswear Designer of the Year: Oscar de la Renta; Lazaro Hernandez and Jack McCollough for Proenza Schouler; and Marc Jacobs for Marc Jacobs.

Menswear Designer of the Year: Steven Cox and Daniel Silver for Duckie Brown; Ralph Lauren; and Italo Zucchelli for Calvin Klein.

Accessory Designer of the Year: Marc Jacobs for Marc Jacobs; Michael Kors; and Derek Lam.

The Swarovski Award: Women's Wear: Phillip Lim for 3.1 Phillip Lim; Kate and Laura Mulleavy for Rodarte; and Thakoon Panichgul for Thakoon.

The Swarovski Award: Menswear: Michael Bastian; Tim Hamilton; and David Neville and Marcus Wainwright for Rag & Bone.

Driving Ambition

Hot off the metal press, the new �A State of Vision� specialty license plates are rolling out of Tallahassee to license tag agencies all across Florida.

Benefiting visually impaired and blind Floridians through the services of local nonprofit agencies statewide, the new �A State of Vision� specialty license plates are a good cause.

To request the promotional kit with brochures in order to encourage the sale of the tag in your office, contact the Professional Opticians of Florida office by e-mail at info@pof.org with your name and mailing address, or call 850-201-2622.

For more information on their availability in Florida, contact your local license tag agency or County Tax Collector�s office.

Blog World

VSP president and CEO Rob Lynch and other company leaders now have a cyber space in which to share their thoughts and invite the interchange of ideas on a wide range of topics.

The new VSP blog address is www.vspblog.com and features an RSS feed capability that alerts subscribers to new content.

Wise Words

It is your attitude, not your aptitude, that determines your altitude.

Zig Ziglar, motivational speaker

StyleMark Acquires Polariod

StyleMark has acquired the Polaroid Eyewear International business, the eyewear division of Polaroid Corporation, owned by Petters Group Worldwide.

The acquisition gives StyleMark global reach, with distribution in 67 countries and unit sales exceeding 50 million pairs.

StyleMark has acquired Polaroid Eyewear�s worldwide sales and marketing organization, along with manufacturing, R&D, finance, human resources, and supply chain activities.

All 140 Polaroid Eyewear employees will transition to the new company. The acquisition includes the 200,000 square foot Polaroid lens manufacturing facility in Vale of Leven, Scotland.

�With the polarized sunglass and lens markets undergoing a renaissance, StyleMark now has the opportunity to drive global growth by integrating our brand portfolio with Polaroid�s impressive international eyewear distribution network,� comments Mark Ascik, StyleMark�s CEO.

Adds Paul Sheerin, vice president of global operations for Polaroid Eyewear, �We look forward to a bright future with StyleMark here in Scotland, [with] research and development investment that will set our company apart as we develop the next generation of lenses.�

New S�filo Executives Named

S�filo USA, the U.S. subsidiary of S�filo Group, has announced the promotion of five executives on the company�s management team: Mark Ugenti to senior vice president of sales for S�filo USA�s retail sunglass division, Gary Graham to vice president of accounting, Bill Harrison to vice president of optical sales, Robin Kreitner to vice president of human resources, and Timm Parker to vice president of product design and development. In other news from the company, Neal Gordon has joined S�filo as the vice president of marketing. 

Mark Ugenti has the added responsibility of overseeing the sunglass sales function for S�filo USA. Gary Graham will continue his current accounting responsibilities and will assume an expanded role in the consolidation and reporting of financial information. Bill Harrison, a 25-year veteran of the optical industry, will oversee all aspects of sales and management of the independent and small chain markets, managing and setting strategic direction. Robin Kreitner oversees the human resources function for all subsidiaries, which includes over 1,000 S�filo and Solstice employees.

VSP Adds Direct to Consumer Coverage Options

VSP Vision Care, the nation�s largest eyecare benefits provider with 48 million members, launched a new direct-to-consumer comprehensive eyecare plan to begin this month. The plan focuses on consumers who do not have access to VSP coverage through their employers

�VSP�s direct-to-consumer eyecare plan represents a major step in increasing consumers� access to comprehensive coverage,� said Rob Lynch, VSP president and CEO. �Eyecare has an important role to play in preventative healthcare and this plan will assist consumers with making eye health an important part of their total health focus.�

Enrollees in VSP will have access to more than 21,000 doctors nationwide and can select member-only, member-plus-one, or family coverage options.

The plan provides coverage for a complete exam, lenses, and eyeglasses or contact lenses. VSP�s direct-to-consumer plan will be offered through the Consumer Choice Association, which provides members with a wide range of options to budget for their healthcare needs.

For information about VSP�s direct-to-consumer eyecare plan, visit www.ccaadvantage.com.

Tura Team Transitions

Tura has promoted John Weir to president. He was  the general manager of Tura for the past 20 years. Weir will continue to play a pivotal role in Tura.

In addition, Tura has promoted four executives: Audrey Pavia to vice president of marketing, Keith Howard to vice president of product development, Keith Kamalich to vice president of sales, and Mike Pasnello to vice president of operations and controller. Each of these newly appointed vice presidents possess extensive experience in the industry and in their professional disciplines.

Audrey is a licensed optician who has been employed with Tura since 1991 where she began her Tura career as a product assistant. She has held a number of management positions throughout her tenure including product manager, marketing manager, and advertising manager.

Keith Howard joined Tura in 1985 as director of materials management then assumed responsibility for product development in 1990. He was named director of product development in 1996.

Keith Kamalich joined Tura as a regional manager in 1999 and was promoted to national sales manager for eastern states, a position he held since 2000. He was named national sales manager for the entire U.S. in 2005.

Mike Pasnello joined Tura in 1996 as accounting manager, a position he held until his promotion to controller of Tura in 2000. Since then, he has assumed increasing responsibility, including the day-to-day operations of the Tura Muncy distribution facility.

These appointments serve to recognize each of these individuals for the significant contributions they have made to Tura individually and collectively, company reps note, adding: �Their unique talents and experience has helped Tura to evolve into the viable competitor that we are in today�s market. Their skill, tenacity and teamwork has enabled Tura to endure and prosper in a very difficult business environment.�

Test Your Mettle!

Whether you�re new to your profession or have been in in practice for 20 years, remembering everything you�ve learned is one tough assignment. To help you clear any cobwebs, Test Your Mettle gives you a chance to take a crack at questions for ODs from a previous Varilux Optometry Super Bowl and one for Opticians from a National Federation of Opticianry Schools College Bowl.

OPTOMETRY

Q. The proliferation of new blood vessel growth underneath the retina is called what?

OPTICIANRY

Q. When an emmetrope is reading at a distance of 16 inches, what is the dioptric power of the accommodative effort?

For the answers, go to FYI.

New U.S. Lead for Aoyama

Aoyama Optical Japan is pleased to announce the promotion of David Chernoff to president of Aoyama Optical, USA. The company representatives note that as the vice president, Chernoff increased sales over 150 percent for the company in one year.

Chernoff says: �There is no doubt that the next few years will result in heavy growth for Aoyama.�

Chernoff will now oversee all facets of the U.S. office based in Ronkonkoma, N.Y.

Chernoff is a veteran of the optical industry, having held various positions for prominent companies over the last 20 years.

Zyloware adds COO

Zyloware Corporation has restructured its owner-management and named James Shyer chief operating officer. He previously served as the company�s executive vice president.

Firm representatives note that the new position was created for several reasons, including high growth over the last few years. James Shyer led Zyloware�s increase in sales and distribution, which included expanding the company�s presence in major retailers, opening new international markets, and growing the domestic sales force. 

Jim Galinsky, director of sales, and Jennifer Derryberry, vice president of corporate accounts, will jointly lead Zyloware�s sales division, formerly headed by James Shyer.

Reed Names Expo Leader

International Vision Expo has named Julie Ichiba event director. Ichiba brings 20 years of show management, association management, and sales management to the International Vision Expo family of shows, which includes International Vision Expo East in New York, and Vision Expo West, held annually in Las Vegas, NV. 

Ichiba joins Reed Exhibitions after serving as a Group Show Director for the Variety & General Merchandise Events at VNU, a leading exhibition management company in Santa Monica, Calif.

Leadership Change for CZV

Frederick Howard has been named president and general manager, Americas of Carl Zeiss Vision. He replaces Dr. Barry Packham, who has moved into the newly created role of executive vice president, global operations.

Howard comes to CZV from Procter and Gamble, where he was most recently senior vice president for North America.

Both executives will report to Dr. Norbert Gorny, CEO of CZV.

Silmo Set for Anniversary

Silmo is about to celebrate its 40th birthday, a good mature age to look further ahead and prepare for the future. For the 2007 edition, the organizers intend to keep the essential format which has made and still makes the exhibition a success, but they also intend to add a highly festive touch to blow out those 40 candles with all representatives of the profession. This year�s event is slated to run Oct. 19 to 22.

Stat Box: Clearly Successful

4 Months Ago

Amount of time since launch of PSA created by the Vision Council of America�s Check Yearly. See Clearly. campaign and AARP: �An Eye Doctor Can See Things You Can�t�

37,000 Television, radio and print media placements

66 Million Americans viewed

13:1 Return on investment

Star Gazers

1. There was a time when Ashlee Simpson was only known as �Jessica Simpson�s little sister.� But after a little cosmetic fine tuning and a few scandals based on vocal issues, she�s made a name for herself. With several hit albums and an onstage role playing Roxie in the musical �Chicago,� she is carving out her own place in show biz. Here, Simpson looks glam wearing her Kieselstein-Cord style Big Bird sunglasses from OSA International.

2. Legendary �Goodfellas� movie star Ray Liotta has a unique talent�he�s known for specializing in psychopathic characters. But while he may be scary on screen, he�s still a fashion-conscious guy off screen. Here, Liotta gives one of his classic intense looks wearing BCBG Max Azria style Axiom sunglasses from ClearVision Optical.

3. While he has a decidedly more classic look for his royal role in the Showtime series �The Tudors,� Jonathan Rhys Meyers turns a fine leg in contemporary styles as well. He is the new face for the Versace ad campaign for Luxottica. The Dublin-native follows in the footsteps of superstars like Madonna and Halle Berry who have also represented the line. In this latest ad, Meyers wears style VE2062.

4. Julia Louis-Dreyfus is best known for her role as Elaine on �Seinfeld,� but she recently broke the �Seinfeld curse� by scoring successful ratings and winning an Emmy for her new show. Dreyfus wears Carolina Herrera style H716 from BaseCurve.

5. An Omaha native, Gabrielle Union moved to California when she was eight years old. She landed her first gig on �Saved by the Bell� without even having headshots�and the rest is history! Union wears Carolina Herrera style H711 sunglasses from BaseCurve.

6. Born in Germany, actress Diane Kruger actually began her career in dance. She most recently starred in �National Treasure� alongside Nicolas Cage. Here the actress tries on a pair of Ray-Ban�s�style RB3025 from Luxottica.

7. Although Samantha Harris has been a big hit as co-host of �Dancing with the Stars,� she continues to do her reports for �E! News.� Harris, a former model, strikes a pose wearing Marc Jacobs 050S from S�filo.

On The Town

Younger Optics was been recognized as a leader in lens innovation, technology, and creativity at the 13th International Fair for Eye Optics, Optometry, and Ophthalmology held in the Czech Republic. Younger�s Drivewear exhibit was honored with the top award in the spectacle lens category. 

Other events, pictured top to bottom, include the following.

Music legend Clive Davis joined many other celebrities and honorees for Lighthouse International�s �Music of Winternight� Gala. The event benefited the Lighthouse Filomen M. D�Agostino Greenberg Music School, which was founded in 1913, and provides music instruction to youngsters and adults, including professional musicians, who are visually impaired. Shown here, (l to r) Tara A. Cortes, PhD, RN, president and CEO of Lighthouse International, The Macula Foundation�s Dr. Lawrence A. Yannuzzi, Gala Chair Barbara Saltzman, and Dr. Bruce Rosenthal.

Mykita�s style Rocco recently won a �red dot design award.� The design competition attracted almost 6,000 submission from 52 countries in 2006. The award-winning products are put before an international audience in the red dot design museum.

Marchon celebrated Black History month and the launch of the Sean John eyewear collection as the sponsor of the 38th MACP Image Awards. Many celebrities attended the event and selected Sean John eyewear, including Oscar Winners Forrest Whitaker and Jennifer Hudson; comedy legend Bill Cosby; and musicians Smokey Robinson, John Legend, and The Pussycat Colls� Nicole Scherziner.

iWood Ecodesign made Domino Magazine�s 2007 Green List. The firm�s wooden frames was one of 125 honored for high-quality sustainable design and commitment to responsible business practices.

The green list is live on the site now at: www.dominomag.com/ resources/2007/02/greenlist.

Lanvin, in partnership with the L�Amy Group, will launch new Lanvin women�s sunglasses uniquely designed by Alber Elbaz (shown above with L�Amy�s Marc Lamy). Distinguished by their unique design and extreme oversized shape, the new Lanvin sunglasses are characterized by large, oversized screw heads visible on the front of the frame

This year marks Lafont USA�s 20th anniversary. The French firm�s  New York office celebrated the milestone with the U.S. with a party held during the recent International Vision Expo East.

In appreciation of its loyal customers in North America, Lafont created a special 20th anniversary frame which features a fun cut-out pattern commemorating the event.

5 questions for Steve Rosenberg, president & founder, Kaenon Polarized

1. What was Kaenon founded on, and how will that help the company move forward?

SRWhen I took the entrepreneurial leap from Oakley to start my own business, I recognized the void in the marketplace for superior fitting and performing sport frames matched with superior polarized lens technology.

We developed the luxury performance sunwear brand, emphasizing quality and style. We will continue to develop the luxury performance brand by building a name in the plano and Rx arenas, focusing on partnerships and research, and developing the Rx area.

2. Kaenon works with a lot of professional athletes. How can ECPs use sports figures to help their sales and marketing initiatives?

SRSportsmen and women validate a product. Many products can be worn for money, too. ECPs might want to rely on common sense: if it looks contrived�it probably is.

Always make sure your patients are fit well with the right products for them. Become knowledgeable yourself: know the products and if possible experience them. Speaking from a point of knowledge and experience is powerful and will resonate with patients.

3. How can ECPs best get across the difference between a cheap pair of sunglasses and a quality pair?

SR: Put them on! Does it feel better? Can the patient tell the difference looking through the lenses? Are they sharp?

If the cheap product doesn�t feel better than the quality pair, and the cheap pair suits them, then they should go with the cheap product. There is a market there. However, quality-minded folks will gravitate to quality. They need to be shown the options.

4. What should ECPs do to capture more of the sunwear market?

SRThe perfect store model carries the best brands and products of the highest quality. Half of the store is Rx eyewear, and half of the store is plano sunwear.

The store is manned by professionals who know their stuff inside and out, and can educate consumers on the best products to buy to serve their lifestyle, leisure, and sport needs. Consumers look to them as an authority.

In this setup, the sunwear category drives the Rx category, and multiple pair sales are common. The store and staff are first class, offering an educating experience in sunwear, and prepared to offer users comfortable, well-fitted, performance eyewear for every aspect of their daily lives. The message: Go outside and enjoy it!

5. Where is polarized product going?

SRWe are constantly looking into new technology, and research and development is an ongoing way of doing business. We have a mindset for advancing, I think that comes from our athletic and sport background, with continuous input from our professional athletes.

Optical Pair Prepares for Long Walk

Optical Women�s Association members Carmen Renschler and Christie Walker announced their plans to participate in the 2007 Breast Cancer 3-Day Event.

Renschler will be walking the 20 miles a day for three straight days to honor and remember optical industry breast cancer survivors as well as those in the optical industry that have died from the disease. 

Renschler and Walker have committed to raising $8,000 for finding a cure. There are two ways to donate: 1) Send a check for Breast Cancer 3-Day to: Christie Walker, P.O. Box 1945, Big Bear Lake, CA 92315.  2) Donate online by going to www.the3Day.org. Click on �Donate.� Select city �San Diego� on the bottom left corner of the screen. Type in participant name Carmen Renschler and click on it to enter the �Eye Care About a Cure� site, then follow the instructions.

Celebrity Quiz

Answers

Following are answers from the Last Word quizzes.

1-I: David Beckham in Police for Eastern States; 2-H: Mariah Carey in Robert Marc; 3-B: Mary J. Blige in Christian Roth for Charmant; 4-G: Debra Messing in Vogue for Luxottica; 5-C: Britney Spears in Vogue for Luxottica; 6-A: Paula Abdul in Fendi for Marchon; 7-J: Jeremy Piven in John Varvatos for BaseCurve; 8-E: Samuel L. Jackson in Jhane Barnes for Couteur, by Kenmark; 9-F: Eva Longoria in Gucci for S�filo; 10-D: Jessica Biel in BCBG Max Azria for ClearVision

Guess The Line:

1. Jessica Simpson Eyewear by Colors in Optics; 2. Trump Eyewear by Eyewear Designs; 3. Joan Collins Eyewear by New York Eye; 4. Barbie Eyewear by REM Eyewear

VCA Winter Meeting: Wrap Up

More than 140 industry executives, spouses, and association leaders met at Arizona�s Biltmore Hotel in February at the 2007 VCA Winter Business Meeting. Themed �THRIVE! Turning Challenges Into Profits,� meetings focused on the economic impact of politics, energy, and economic fluctuations on the optical industry, as well as trends in retail and managed care. The Summit�s keynote speaker, loyalty expert, and author Fred Reichheld, led a session on transforming customers into promoters.

A new slate of officers was also set for the year. Newly elected officers were chairman, Larry Clarke of Satisloh North America, Inc.; R. Michael Daley of Essilor Lenses as vice-chair; Raanan Naftalovich of Shamir Insight, Inc., as secretary/treasurer; and Andrea Gluck of Eyewear Designs Limited as immediate past chairman. Shown here are just a few of the attendees.

James Shyer of Zyloware at the eyewear and accessories meeting; Andrea Gluck of Eyewear Designs and Rick Elias of PPG Industries; (l to r) Raanan Naftalovich of Shamir with VCA�s Ken Wood and Brian Carroll; (l to r) Satisloh�s Larry Clarke, Alain Mikli�s Gloria Macaroni, VCA�s Ed Greene, Corrine McCormack of Corrine McCormack Accessories