news
Hot List: September 2012
Alicia Hoglund
1 Online MARKETING
A recent survey by Internet2Go, an Opus Research Advisory Service, reported that small businesses are continuing to embrace social media as a way to market themselves. Highlights from the report include the following.
Majority Rules
The majority of small businesses that tried Facebook Ads would do so again.
75%
Three-quarters of respondents that offered a daily deal would do so again.
$5K
Most respondents spend less than $5,000 on marketing annually.
2 Bumped-up Budgets
According to a recent AT&T poll, nearly 60 percent of small businesses plan to spend more on online marketing than they did in 2011.
3 TICK TOCK
The Social Media Examiner's 2011 Social Media Marketing Industry Report revealed the following:
90%
of marketers think social media is important to their business
77%
plan on increasing their use of YouTube and video marketing
70%
want to learn more about Facebook
28%
of businesses outsource some portion of their social media marketing
| BLOG ALL ABOUT IT |
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| According to Hubspofs e-book, “The 2012 State of Inbound Marketing,” 81 percent of businesses rated their company blogs as “useful,” “important,” or “critical” to their success. |
| Optical Lab Division's 2012 Hall of Fame Inductees Announced |
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| The Optical Lab Division of The Vision Council recently announced the seven 2012 Hall of Fame inductees, who have been chosen for their contributions to the optical industry. The 2012 Optical Pioneer Hall of Fame inductees include Kevin Bargman, management at Essilor Laboratories of America and former owner of Hawkins Optical Laboratories, Inc.; Marty Bassett, president of Walman Optical Company; Bob Colucci, president of Independent Distribution Division for Essilor of America, Inc.; Bob Dziuban, former executive director of the Optical Laboratories Association (retired); Mike Francesconi, vice president of Katz & Klein, Inc.; and William D. Hernandez, former president of Practical Systems, Inc., (retired). In addition, The Optical Lab Division has named David Rips, president of Younger Optics, as the recipient of the 2012 Directors' Choice Award. Rips, along with the Hall of Fame inductees, will be recognized at the 13th Annual Optical Pioneers Hall of Fame banquet and Directors' Choice Award presentation, to be held in conjunction with Vision Expo West on September 5 at The Venetian in Las Vegas. Tickets for the event are available to and can be ordered by anyone attending the Optical Lab Division meeting or International Vision Expo West. INFO: thevisioncouncil.org/labmeeting |
Optical APPtitude
Left, Hoya's new Spectangle app; right, Clipboard App by MacPractice
■ THE HOYA FREE-FORM COMPANY has launched Spectangle, a new app for the iPad. Designed specifically for HoyaLux ID MyStyle personalized progressive lenses, Spectangle measures pantoscopic tilt, face form angle, back vertex distance, PD, seg height, A, B, DBL. The app also allows opticians to take photos using the iPad camera, make adjustments on the screen, enter Rx data and lifestyle preferences, and, with a push of a button, send an order to the lab. Though designed for ID MyStyle, the app can also be used to take accurate PDs and seg heights for any lens style. Spectangle is available at the iTunes app store for $399.99. A complimentary Spectangle fitting kit, including measurement lock-on devices, is required and can be ordered on Hoya's website (thehoyafreeformcompany.com) after the app purchase. Also required is a current Hoya account number to order the kit.
INFO: thehoyafreeformcompany.com
■ MACPRACTICE has released Clipboard App, a new app to work in conjunction with its MacPractice 20/20 v. 4.1 desktop practice management and clinical software. Created to streamline patient registration, save time, and reduce data entry errors, Clipboard App allows patients to input insurance and other personal information, and complete and sign registration forms, which is automatically incorporated into the patient's account in MacPractice to be reviewed by office staff.
INFO: MacPractice.com/iPad
■ M&S TECHNOLOGIES, INC., has introduced Smart System FirstTest, a software program that uses advanced tools to accurately and efficiently screen children to capture amblyopia, strabismus, and identify differences in the development of the eyes at an early age. The fast, easy-to-use program is compatible with any PC running Windows XP or Windows 7 and can be conducted by anyone with minimal training. Simply select letters or symbols, type of test, and enter the age of the child being screened to begin. FirstTest conforms to the vision screening requirements of the Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus, American Academy of Ophthalmology, and the American Optometric Association.
INFO: 847-763-0500, mstech-eyes.com
| 2012 Transitions Awards NOMINATIONS NOW BEING ACCEPTED |
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| Transitions Optical, Inc., is now accepting nominations for its 2012 Transitions Awards program. The annual program recognizes independent labs, eyecare practices, and retailers for their year-long commitment to enhancing vision and the way their patients see the world. Categories include Transitions Lab of the Year, Transitions Eyecare Practice of the Year, and Transitions Retailer of the Year (regional and national categories). Nominees will be evaluated on a variety of factors, including commitment to photochromic growth; alignment to Transitions Optical and participation in programs and promotions; marketing initiatives; education and training efforts; and community involvement. Candidates can self-enter, or can be nominated by a laboratory, lens manufacturer, or other industry organization representative. There will be up to three finalists in each category. Finalists will be honored during the 2013 Transitions Academy, to be held January 27 to 29 at the Rosen Shingle Creek Resort in Orlando, Fla. Nominations are due Nov. 2, 2012. Finalists will be announced in December. For more information, or to request a nomination form, contact your Transitions Optical representative or email CService@Transitions.com. |
Villa Eyewear To Distribute BioEyes and Blackfin
Villa Eyewear has entered into an agreement with Pramaor, under which Villa will be the exclusive distributor of Blackfin and BioEyes in the U.S. Villa's distribution will take immediate effect.
Established in 1971, Pramaor produces quality eyewear and sunwear under a “neomadeinitaly” model of development, combining quality craftsmanship with creative and productive impulse, company representatives say.
| $10 Million for ECP Loan Program |
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| Essilor of America, Inc., and VSP Vision Care have each committed an additional $5 million to the Vision Loans Program, which supports independent optometrists with financial loans to help them enter private practice. The loan program, launched in 2003, is a joint effort between Vision One Credit Union, Essilor, and VSP. To date, it has distributed nearly $58 million in financial support to optometrists who want to enter private practice and those who want to transition out. The loans may be used to purchase an ownership interest in a practice, to purchase 100 percent of a practice (in conjunction with existing Vision One loan programs), down payments for a practice purchase, or a practice refinance. For information, contact Vision One Credit Union's lending division at 800-327-2628 or visit visionone.org. |
Web Watch
Hoya's new consumer website
Hoya Vision Care North America has launched a new consumer site for patients: hoyavision.com. The site features easy-to-follow information about eye health, including the latest advancements in vision correction, as well as a Find a Provider section and information about Hoya and its products.
Prevent Blindness America has released event presentations, including slides and audio recordings, from July's Focus on Eye Health National Summit on the PBA website, visionproblemsus.org/news-resources.html.
Eschenbach is offering free, online education featuring a variety of low-vision topics. Visit the Resource Center for Professionals section of eschenbach.com for a full list of upcoming webinars as well as information on how to register.
Williams GROUP To Hold Leadership Summit
This fall, Williams Group, a company offering a comprehensive array of products and services to help independent eyecare practices succeed, will hold its first Leadership Summit from Oct. 19 to 21 in Atlanta. Designed to help eyecare professionals effectively manage and group their practices through improved team and practice performance, the summit will center around the concept of the “performance equation,” with keynote speakers Lisa McLeod, Bill Eckstrom, and Bill Benjamin discussing the research and science behind leadership and its effects on practice results.
INFO: 800-676-9076, thewilliamsway.com
| Match acquires Optiq Frames, expands into Canada |
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| Match Eyewear has purchased Toronto-based Optiq Frames Ltd., further expanding its international distribution into Canada. Going forward, Optiq Frames' management will report directly to Ethan Goodman and Phil Turnage of Match Eyewear. Led by Joe Nadler, Optiq Frames has established strong customer relationships for 42 years. Match Eyewear plans to build upon Optiq Frames' collections. Optiq currently distributes CAT and Animal brands only within Canada through an agreement with INSPECS, who distributes the brands directly in the U.S. |
OGS Invites World Sight Day Challenge Participation
Optometry Giving Sight (OGS) is asking the optical community to participate in the 2012 World Sight Day Challenge, taking place on Thursday, Oct. 11. The challenge is designed to raise funds for OGS's various eye and vision care projects in underserved communities. ECPs can support the cause by donating a day of eye exam fees or pledge a portion of sales throughout the month of October. Groups and individuals can also choose to make a one-time donation or collect funds through team fundraising.
For more information about participation opportunities, visit givingsight.org or call 1-888-OGS-GIVE.
WellPoint Invests in SoloHealth
Following its recent acquisition of 1-800 Contacts, WellPoint, Inc., has made a strategic and financial investment in SoloHealth and its next-generation SoloHealth Station, an interactive, comprehensive health and wellness screening kiosk for consumers, which recently received FDA approval. Placed in high-traffic retail locations, the SoloHealth Station provides health screenings for vision, blood pressure, weight, and body mass index (BMI), and features a symptom checker and overall health assessment—all free of charge. Users can also be connected to local healthcare professionals through the SoloHealth database.
Following the investment, Brett Moraski, WellPoint's vice president of transformation, was named to the SoloHealth board of directors.
ON THE TOWN
Marchon Eyewear was featured on the “Perfect Sunglass for Every Face Shape” segment of “The Today Show.” Hosts Al Roker, Natalie Morales, and Savannah Guthrie tried on several Marchon brands, including Lacoste, Salvatore Ferragamo, Nike, Calvin Klein Jeans, Flexon, Emilio Pucci, Nautica, and Diane von Furstenberg.
In other news, the latest Valentino sunglass styles from Marchon were featured at the recent Valentino SS13 Menswear Runway show, held in Florence, Italy.
Models hit the runway showcasing the latest eyewear styles from Orgreen Eyewear at the CIFF Trend Show during the Copenhagen Fashion Week in Denmark.
Safilo Group celebrated the West Coast launch of the Carrera 6000 sunglass collection with a VIP poolside event at the Chateau Marmont. In attendance were actors Josh Henderson, Emily VanCamp, Laura Prepon, Josh Bowman, and Gabriel Mann.
L'Amy celebrated the launch of its Sperry Eyewear collection with a product preview in New York City. Models donning eyewear and sunwear from the collection, which is set to launch in 2013, mingled with attendees.
Last month, Sears Optical, a division of Luxottica Retail, hosted a preview at the Setai Fifth Avenue in New York for its recent collaboration with the Kardashian Kollection Eyewear collection. Consisting of both ophthalmic eyewear and prescription sunwear, the collection's frames are available exclusively at 300 Sears Optical stores nationwide.
1. The latest eyewear styles took to the runway at the Valentino SS13 Show; 2. “The Today Show” co-host Savannah Guthrie was all smiles in Valentino sunglass style V611S by Marchon Eyewear; 3-4. Actress Laura Prepon (3) and the cast of ABC's hit show “Revenge” (4) sampled Carrera 6000 sunwear at Safilo's West Coast event at the Chateau Marmont; 5. L'Amy's Stephen Rappaport (l) and guest at the Sperry product preview; 6. Models showcased the new sunglasses from the 2013 Sperry collection; 7. Select styles from Orgreen Eyewear were featured on the catwalk during Copenhagen Fashion Week; 8. The Kardashian sisters model styles from Luxottica's Kardashian Kollection Eyewear
| PBA, Transitions Optical Release New Cultural Diversity Report |
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| Prevent Blindness America (PBA) and Transitions Optical, Inc., have released a new report, “Focus on Eye Health and Culturally Diverse Populations,” providing an overview of the serious eye health risks faced by the African American, Asian American, and Hispanic populations. The report, which was created following PBA's July “Focus on Eye Health Summit” and funded through a grant from the Transitions Healthy Sight for Life Fund, is intended to serve as both a resource as well as a call to action for government agencies, policymakers, organization leaders, and patient advocates to make eye health education among these groups a national priority. ECPs can download a free copy of the report by visiting the News & Resources section of PreventBlindness.org/VisionProblems. |
Silmo's Charlot Passes at 85
Industry veteran Guy Charlot has passed away at the age of 85. Charlot is best known for his work with Silmo, the French optical trade fair.
He began his tenure with the show as an administrator, and later was elected president in 1993. Charlot worked to transform the exhibition into the premiere, must-attend show that it is today, expanding the show's offerings as well as its global outreach, which greatly increased after the introduction of the Silmo d'Or Awards. In 2010, Silmo's growth was fully realized through both a location change to the Paris-Nord Villepinte Exhibition Centre as well as the debut of Silmo Academy, a scientific symposium for ECPs wishing to hone their skills.
In 1999, Charlot created the Maison de l'Optique, a forum for meetings and exchanges. Before his death, he also endorsed the LEOO Foundation (Les Entreprises de l'Optique Ophtalmique - Ophthalmic Optics Companies), a professional organization designed to federate and represent optics and eyewear companies based in France and promote initiatives designed to improve quality and raise the profile of the sector.
STAR Gazers
1. “The Hunger Games” actress Jennifer Lawrence sported Leisure Society's Oxford sunglasses in silver/bone while leaving a photo shoot in Los Angeles. Lawrence can be seen in the upcoming thriller, “House at the End of the Street,” which debuts in theaters later this month.
2. Sean William Scott went for a stroll wearing the Francis aviators from the Loree Rodkin Eye Couture collection by Sama Eyewear.
3. Julia Stiles in Valentino sunglass style V611S by Marchon. Stiles stars in a new web series, “Blue,” a 12-part series featured on the YouTube Channel Wigs.
4. Singing sensation Carly Rae Jepsen accessorized her outfit with the GUESS? Lisa Frame by Viva International Group. The “Call Me Maybe” singer's newest album is set to release on September 18.
Optical Industry catches Olympic Fever
The 2012 Olympic Games commenced last month in London, and for two weeks, the optical industry watched and cheered as the world's best athletes competed on a global stage. And in case you weren't watching, Team USA outshined the competition, earning the most gold medals as well as nabbing the top spot in the overall medal count.
But it wasn't just the gold, silver, and bronze hardware on the podiums that attracted attention. Some of the most decorated athletes of the games were adorned with more than just medals—they were decked out in the latest eyewear, too.
| Test Your Mettle! |
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| Whether you're new to your profession or have been in practice for 20 years, remembering everything you've learned is one tough assignment. To help you clear any cobwebs, Test Your Mettle features 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. What are posterior synechiae? OPTICIANRY Q. Which hand-tool is used to determine the vertex distance of mounted spectacle lenses? For the answers, go to FYI on page 90 |
1. Three-time Olympic triathlete and Hunter Kemper relied on Rudy Project's Windmax helmet and Noyz Pro Sport shades during competition; 2. Maui Jim ambassadors Mathew Belcher and Malcolm Page sailed to the gold medal for Australia in the Men's 470 class competition while wearing Maui Jim's Canoes shades; 3. Beach volleyball star and three-time Olympic gold medalist Misty May-Treanor served up a powerful blow in Nike Show X2 sunglasses by Marchon; 4. Amateur cyclist Geoffrey Morgan from TEAM EVATIK wore EVATIK's E1004 style shades while watching the men's road race in Box Hill, Surrey; 5. l.a.Eyeworks celebrated the Olympic Games from sunny California with a witty window display
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