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Hot List: June 2008

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If you're not sure what styles to suggest to a parent for their child, take your cue from mom or dad's own eyewear and clothing choices.

According to fashion industry website www.infomat.com, today's stylish parents want their kids to look as fashionable as they do, and because they're so busy, they tend to simply reach for the children's lines from their own favorite designers.

This demographic group, which marketers call "Grups" (a combination of "grown-up" and "yuppie"), includes parents of various races with middle-upper class income who live in the suburbs of major metropolitan areas. Grups choose what their children wear based on what it says about them, rather than what it says about their child.

New ID for Safilo

Safilo has renewed its corporate image with a new identity aimed at expressing the values on which the international success of the group is based. The institutional image echoes the original spirit of Safilo, while reinterpreting it in an innovative, modern way, according to the company.

The new image features the Safilo logo in shades of ruthenium gray on a surface of molten metal, and is illuminated by a light. The slight tilt of the trademark is meant to express the vitality of the company's spirit while the accent gives additional impact.

The new institutional slogan "Design Generation" emphasizes the values that characterize Safilo. This is demonstrated by the commitment to the development of new products in terms of technology, performance, and design, say Safilo representatives.

Samantha Tabacchi, director of corporate communication and identity for the Safilo Group explains, "With this new image we want to communicate the values of elegance and solidity that have always distinguished the company and characterized its products. With the new image, we have succeeded in combining dynamism and refinement. These are two aspects that identify our company, based on a solid tradition but with an eye on the future."

CHAIN LINK: Wal-Mart's New Focus on Traffic and Conversions

A few months ago, when Wal-Mart Stores Inc. inked a deal with 1-800-CONTACTS to create a new, more efficient, and more affordable contact lens program, it had servicing more than just its existing customers in mind. The powerhouse retailer hopes to tap into its behemoth retail customer base to attract existing contact lens wearers who do not currently purchase their lenses from Wal-Mart—as well as entice those that do not wear contacts—into the fold.

"We want to improve access," says Jeff McCallister, senior vice president of the optical division at Wal-Mart. "We are very excited about our alliance. We had an online channel, but this is even better because 1-800-CONTACTS has a strong brand. It's a great opportunity to provide better convenience and better access."

STAR Gazers

1. Wisconsin native Danica Patrick has come a long way from kart racing at the age of 10—she recently became the first woman to win a major auto race, the Japan Indy 300. Danica wears a prototype of Kaenon's Calais, which features a metal-logo treatment inspired by Danica herself. 2. Two-time Oscar winner Kevin Spacey went to the same school—Chatsworth High School in the San Fernando Valley—as Mare Winningham, and the two even graduated as co-valedictorians. In this shot from the new HBO movie Recount, which is about the 2000 U.S. presidential election, Spacey wears ClearVision Adam. 3. Ally McBeal alum Jane Krakowski, seen here in Persol 2866 by Ilori, is riding the wave of 30 Rock popularity as the show's Jenna Maroney. This multitalented actress also did a stint on Broadway, winning a Tony Award in 2003 for her portrayal of Carla in the musical "Nine." 4. Steve Carell, in Karl Lagerfeld KL103S by Marchon, is well-known for his comedic roles in The Office TV series and the movie The 40-Year-Old Virgin. Look for his antics in the new movie adaptation of the popular TV spy series, Get Smart, which comes out this month. 5. Expecting her first child with new hubby Cash Warren this month, actress Jessica Alba, 27, plans to take some time off from show biz once she becomes a mom. Alba was recently seen relaxing in Marc Jacobs 099s by Safilo.

Web World

Vision-Ease Lens has a new corporate website at www.vision-ease.com. The site features easy-to-use navigation with customized content for ECPs, retailers, labs, media, and consumers. ECPs can download, customize, and order printed Vision-Ease Lens marketing and point-of-purchase materials via the site's VELcomm (Vision-Ease Lens Communication) Center. A complete bar code lookup has lens model numbers and PDFs of codes to help with ordering and inventory. Labs or ECPs can easily manage their account information, and consumers can learn about lens features and benefits.

Transitions Optical introduced a new, enhanced website for consumers and industry professionals. Still at www.transitions.com, the site has a new look and an interactive feature that lets visitors "experience" the new Transitions VI technology through a visual simulation. The website also includes an Advertising section where visitors can view the new Transitions television commercial. The For Professionals section of the site provides continuing education opportunities and links to the Transitions Online Marketing (TOM) tool, where ECPs can create customer marketing and point-of-sale materials for Transitions VI focus on in-office use.

From top: The Vision Care Institute's Achieve Vision website, Transitions' newly enhanced website, the new corporate website for Vision-Ease Lens

The Vision Care Institute™ has launched a new website, www.achievevisionprogram.com, where people can learn how to maximize their vision for everyday activities, hear about Olympic athletes' vision experiences, and find out more about the AchieveVision™ program. The AchieveVision™ program is a customized visual skills assessment designed to optimize an individual's vision for his or her specific sport and lifestyle. The assessment addresses how well an athlete's visual system performs for their specific needs, and also tests skills essential to performance, such as contrast sensitivity, depth perception, and peripheral awareness.

Live Eyewear launched a new Cocoons website, www.cocoonseyewear.com, that is designed to provide quick and easy access to a compendium of information on Cocoons Sunglasses, Clip-Ons, and Flip-Ups sunwear collections. Visitors are introduced to the Cocoons OveRx concept of quality, design, and customer service. The site provides links to Cocoons product pages, sizing guides, product /archive/2008/June/images/specifications, lens information, press releases, FAQs, and electronic warranty registration. For retailers, the exclusive dealer login provides access to download high resolution product images, lifestyle photos, logos, and important Live Eyewear information to assist them in developing marketing campaigns.

Show Business Takes the Spotlight

A new show and new dates will impact the 2009 optical industry calendar of events. Mido will take place from March 6 to 9 and be held in conjunction with international exhibitions of footwear, leather goods, and fur. In addition, Mido is introducing the Mido Business Forum, to take place from September 4 through 6, 2009.

Mido representatives explain that these changes are the result of a study on the positioning of industry exhibitions and development strategies, plus the increasing emphasis on eyewear as a fashion accessory.

A statement by Mido explains that the "new mix of fashion, design, innovation, and technology, which places eyewear at the center of the accessory sector," created a need to schedule Mido during the "world's fashion accessory week."

Subsequently, says Mido vice president Dan Emanuel Levi, "This created the need for another updated tool that could provide companies, distributors, and buyers with an exclusive meeting date. This date is the Business Forum, and here the term ‘forum’ draws on its original meaning as a place and opportunity for meeting and discussing experiences in the industry."

Mido's survey found that 97 percent of exhibitors think it's fundamental to attend exhibitions. In addition, the average number of new contacts made at optical exhibitions is higher than in other industries (33 percent vs. 20 percent), demonstrating the importance of having meetings to establish new connections in the industry.

VSP Launches Dental & Vision Savings Plans

VSP^® has launched the Dental & Vision Savings Plan™, administered by Careington International Corporation. The new plan, available to families and individuals, provides discounts on dental and vision care as well as a monthly payment option.

"The Dental & Vision Savings Plan is a great way for individuals and their families to receive high quality dental and vision care at an affordable cost," said Rob Lynch, VSP president and CEO. "VSP is excited to team up with Careington to deliver this new plan to consumers who might have otherwise thought dental and vision care was not a possibility for them and their families."

Consumers who enroll in the Dental & Vision Savings Plan can save 20 to 50 percent on dental services and 15 to 35 percent on eye exams and materials. Dental services range from general cleanings, fillings, and crowns, while vision coverage includes eye exams, glasses, contact lens fitting and evaluation, laser vision correction, and more.

"We are thrilled to partner with VSP," said Barbara Williams, president and CEO of Careington. "This plan will allow us to better bridge the supplemental healthcare benefit gap, and help reduce the financial burden placed on consumers to provide dental and vision care to their families."

Enrollees also have the opportunity to join the Savings Plus Plan for just $2 more per month, which features discounts on prescription drugs, chiropractic and alternative care, hearing care and aids, access to a 24-hour nurse hotline, and long term care.

The Dental & Vision Savings Plan is available nationwide, except in California, Florida, Illinois, Montana, New Hampshire, Vermont, Guam, and Puerto Rico.