News
Renwick-Espinosa to Helm VSP Vision Care
Kate Renwick-Espinosa, current chief marketing officer at VSP Global, has been appointed to president of VSP Vision Care, effective October 1, 2015. She will succeed Jim McGrann, who has served as president of VSP Vision Care since 2011 and will be transitioning to the role of CEO of VSP Global (also effective Oct. 1, 2015).
Renwick-Espinosa has worked for VSP for more than 23 years, serving as VSP Global’s first chief marketing officer since 2010. In this role, she has led the organization’s global marketing strategy to deliver its products and services to a diverse client base—including Fortune 500 companies, the federal government, and small businesses—as well as more than 75 million members and 32,000 doctors. Her marketing and communications strategies have resulted in historic domestic membership growth as well as the international expansion of VSP’s offerings in Australia, Canada, Ireland, and the United Kingdom, the company notes.
During her tenure as chief marketing officer, Renwick-Espinosa was instrumental in helping the organization evolve to meet the demands of its clients, members, and eyecare providers, VSP reported in a statement. This includes rebranding multiple lines of business, developing new brands, launching new products and programs, and leveraging digital technology.
She was responsible for creating VSP’s marketing infrastructure as well as the development of a corporate social responsibility and charity program which has provided millions of dollars in free eyecare and eyewear to people in need around the world.
Kate Renwick-Espinosa
The FACT FILE
HALF OF AMERICANS
(49%)
REPORT NOTICING THAT THEIR CHILD OR CHILDREN NEEDED GLASSES AT A YOUNGER AGE THAN WHEN THEY GOT THEIR GLASSES.
70%
OF PARENTS WHO WEAR CORRECTIVE EYEWEAR AND WHOSE CHILDREN WEAR GLASSES SAY THAT THEIR CHILDREN REACT POSITIVELY TO WEARING/NEEDING GLASSES.
(AFRICAN-AMERICAN [78%] AND HISPANIC [76%] CHILDREN ARE MORE LIKELY TO BE POSITIVE)
6 out of 10
AMERICAN PARENTS HAVE NOT TAKEN THEIR CHILDREN TO THE EYE DOCTOR WITHIN THE PAST YEAR.
Source: online survey conducted by Wakefield on behalf of Transitions Optical, Inc. in March 2015
Optician Launches Local Factory Initiative
valerie Vittu, optician and owner of Margot & Camille shops in Philadelphia and Doylestown, PA, is hoping to spend less of her time importing frames and a lot more time making them locally.
She has launched a crowd-funding campaign for 360 Squareyes, a project that will create a local factory to support her shops as well as other American eyewear designers and U.S. retailers. She held a launch event in June in Philadelphia that drew local business people, eyewear folks, and politicians.
“Tonight is the beginning of a dream becoming a reality,” Vittu says. “I named the project 360 Squareyes, a square is a circle and a circle is a square. It’s perfectly logical and illustrative of the project—something a little crazy, but perfectly logical. I’m just a small optician with vision.”
The plan for the company includes training U.S. veterans and underprivileged youth to be part of an expected staff of 45 to 50 within the first three years of operation.
The project has captured the attention of local politicians, including Philadelphia mayoral candidate Jim Kenney. Because the project will help bring manufacturing to Philadelphia, it may even be possible to get a business boost from the government, he says. Bringing business to the city and training an underemployed population is a winning combination.
“It’s really exciting,” he notes. “[Vittu] can take people who haven’t worked for a while, who don’t have a higher education, and train them not only to be artisans, but also do technical work. It’s an exciting mix of arts and necessity and foreign investment and people being trained to produce really high quality products. Good luck.”
Those who wish to support the effort can contribute to the crowd-funding campaign with amounts recognized with thank-you gifts ranging from a mini key chain to a trip to France and the frame factory that is the model for Vittu’s project. Other gifts include a handmade, personalized frame and a tour of the eyeglass museum and the city of Lyon.
INFO: 360squareyes.com
Valerie Vittu with Philadelphia mayoral candidate Jim Kenney
(l-r) Randal Golden of See Optical, Renee Wheelock of Nikon Lenswear, and Sophie Guerard-Raubiet of Alain Mikli support the campaign launch
Camille Vittu checks Cliff Balter of Philly Eyeworks into the launch event
VUARNET RE-ORGANIZES, NAMES CEO
French eyewear brand Vuarnet has been enjoying a rebirth of sorts under new owner NEO Investment Partners and, according to a statement released by the company, is now beginning a new page in its long history. The brand is merging all of its products, including sportswear and ski equipment, into a single entity that will be headed by newly appointed CEO Lionel Giraud.
Created in 1957 out of a collaboration between Olympic ski champion Jean Vuarnet and pioneering optician Roger Pouilloux, Vuarnet became known internationally based in large part on the performance of its mineral glass lenses. Vuarnet was relaunched in the U.S. in September 2014 with the re-release of its iconic Glacier sunglasses.
Giraud began his career in French brands at Cartier from 1998 to 2001 and then became vice president and artistic director of Chaumet (LVMH) for 10 years, taking over as CEO at André for two years. Also new to the executive team is Luc Zeltner as development director. He was managing director of the concept store Merci, following a career at Cartier, Louis Vuitton, and Lacoste.
Lionel Giraud
THEY GROW UP SO FAST
InfantSEE celebrates 10 years
InfantSEE, the American Optometric Association’s first public health program for infants, has been working to provide eye and vision care for babies for 10 years.
The program provides one-time, no-cost, comprehensive eye and vision assessments for infants between six months and one year of age, regardless of a family’s income or access to health insurance. Managed by Optometry Cares—The AOA Foundation, InfantSEE was created by the late W. David Sullins Jr., O.D., a past AOA president, in 2005.
The program was built on the understanding that healthy vision—and early detection of eye conditions—is paramount to an infant’s successful development and quality of life. InfantSEE played a key role in the advocacy efforts of the AOA Washington office in obtaining inclusion of the comprehensive vision examination into the Affordable Care Act’s pediatric essential benefit.
“InfantSEE has elevated the public’s awareness of the value of annual comprehensive eye examinations for all children beginning in infancy,” says Glen Steele, O.D., chair of AOA’s InfantSEE and Children’s Vision Committee. “It has also raised public awareness that optometrists provide these services.
“Moving forward, the committee is evolving into a full children’s program in order to promote the need for regular, comprehensive examinations as significant health events in a child’s overall health and development,” he adds.
According to the AOA:
Celebrating Independence
pECAA, a nationwide doctor alliance group for independent doctors, held its Annual Meeting May 14-17 at the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa in Scottsdale, AZ.
Attended by 180 member doctors and 130 staff members from across the U.S., it was PECAA’s highest-attended national member event to date. The meeting was dedicated to providing business-focused education and solutions centered around the group’s mission to promote and protect independent eyecare.
The general sessions included CE and business education courses on technology in eyecare, increasing profits in the dispensary, merchandising, managing social media, billing and coding, and practice-building strategies.
Blind activist, writer, and singer Tom Sullivan presented a motivational “Adventures in Darkness” keynote address.
PECAA’s vendor partners were also in attendance and the event included an exhibit hall where attendees were able to meet one-on-one with the vendors.
For the first time, PECAA will be hosting two Business Symposiums this fall, one on the East Coast and one on the West Coast. Business Symposium West is October 16-17 in San Diego and Business Symposium East is November 6-7 in Charlotte, NC.
The 2016 Annual Meeting will be held May 19-21 in New Orleans.
PECAA clinical director Paul Karpecki, O.D., presents a COPE lecture
A visual display contest put to use everything members learned in a merchandising course
Members participate in the Pinnacle Program presented by Quantum Optical
Delilah Rouse and Craig Rouse, O.D., participate in a peer-to-peer breakout session
Registration Open for VEW
Registration is open for Vision Expo West at the Sands Expo and Convention Center in Las Vegas. The education program runs Sept. 16-19, and the exhibition hall is open Sept. 17-19, 2015.
Attendees who register by August 20 will benefit from early bird pricing: a $25 discount on registration fees. Customizable education packages are available with á la carte options and total office pricing offers with discounts for practice groups. Also, hotel bookings are now open using Vision Expo’s reduced rate (a list of participating hotels are available at the website).
The conference showcases company and product innovation across 190,000 square feet of exhibit space and offers more than 320 hours of education, including a Frame Buyer’s Certificate program and a new Retail track, both of which EB is the official media partner.
A special element of Vision Expo West is The Optical Lab Division Meeting—featuring specialty programming for lab owners and managers. It kicks off on Wednesday, Sept. 16, with the 16th Annual Optical Lab Division Hall of Fame and Banquet, held at the Treasure Island Hotel. A “Super Thursday” of lab-centric education and networking sessions follows, with programs on technical and regulatory updates, sustainability practices, and digital quality controls.
Events are still being added to Vision Expo’s calendar, so check the website often. Highlights include:
For general information and to register: VISIONEXPOWEST.COM
For the Optical Lab Division information: THEVISIONCOUNCIL.ORG/MEMBERS/OPTICAL-LAB-DIVISION-MEETING
VISION SOURCE PARTNERS WITH DOC GROUP
Optometric alliance Vision Source has entered into a relationship with physician alliance Privia Quality Network to provide eye health and vision services to its patient base in Maryland, northern Virginia, and Washington, DC. This arrangement is designed to deliver improved outcomes for the patients of both organizations.
Privia Quality Network, a national clinically integrated network and ACO, brings together independent physician practices to focus on sharing data, improving care coordination, and collaborating on initiatives to improve outcomes and deliver high-value care. Doctors practicing in Privia Quality Network get access to reimbursement programs that, according to the company, are only available to large, sophisticated physician networks that have the technologies and resources needed to manage population health.
“The relationship between Vision Source and Privia is a natural fit,” says Andrew Aronson, M.D., chief medical officer for Privia, “Our companies share many core values. Both organizations support preventative care and early detection and management of chronic diseases including diabetic eye disease. Both Vision Source and Privia enable independent health professionals access to integrated care delivery systems, cutting-edge technology, and management tools, which allow providers to focus their attention on improving patient outcomes.”
Allergan Acquires Biopharmaceutical
Allergan plc (formerly Actavis) a global pharmaceutical company and contact lens manufacturer, has entered into a definitive agreement with KYTHERA Biopharmaceuticals, Inc., to acquire the company in a cash and equity transaction valued at approximately $2.1 billion. KYTHERA is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development, and commercialization of prescription products for the aesthetic medicine market.
According to Allergan, the acquisition enhances its global facial aesthetics portfolio with the addition of KYBELLA injection, the first approved non-surgical treatment for contouring moderate to severe submental fullness (double chin). The acquisition will also include KYTHERA’s development product setipiprant, a novel compound for the prevention of male pattern baldness.
Allergan plc is the new name of Actavis plc. The name change followed the acquisition of contact lens manufacturer Allergan in March 2015. The company began stock trading under a new symbol—AGN. The combination of Actavis and Allergan has created one of the world’s top 10 pharmaceutical companies by revenue.
On the Town
A who, where, and when of the industry’s latest events
THE FUTURE LOOKS BRIGHT!
Luxottica and Parson’s held their annual Luxottica & Parsons Design School Studio Collaboration, a semester-long project during which Parsons design students partnered with Luxottica in eyewear design (both sun and ophthalmic). Over the course of three months, students worked with Luxottica members to develop unique and cutting-edge prototypes.
In May, students auctioned off their final designs at the ILORI store in Soho, with all proceeds going toward OneSight, a charity organization helping communities with sustainable, long-term vision care access. The first-place group was made up of students Wei Hung Chen, Tong Crystal Want, and Tiffany Huang, who received recognition and internships at Luxottica.
(L to r) Maristella Brentani, Paula Donnelly, and Ed Jankowski of Luxottica, Shawnta Buckner of OneSight
Wei Hung Chen was part of the winning group and was awarded a Luxottica internship for the fall
GOOD IN WOOD
ROLF Spectacles’ eyewear design “Sapphire 92” from the company’s Evolved collection has been awarded with the GOOD DESIGN AWARD 2015 Best in Category in the Product Design: Fashion and Objects category. The competition is managed by Good Design Australia, one of the most prestigious design awards in the world.
The eyewear frame “Sapphire 92” in bog oak and maple represents a fine example of ROLF Spectacles’ natural eyewear handcrafted in Tirol, Austria. The design is subtle and timeless highlighting the precision and the attention to detail in the finishing process. The frame’s design features include the special lens-glazing system as well as the company’s patented wooden hinge, both developed by ROLF Spectacles.
The Evolved collection combines the finest natural materials, excellent design quality and high-quality processing with real craftsmanship. The design of the frame is styled to be appealing to the female spectacle wearer with an acquired taste. The designs in this collection are based on classic cars, an interesting feature that adds to the character of the product.
The award-winning Sapphire 92 style
LICENSE LINE-UP
Claudio Gottardi, president and CEO of Marchon Eyewear, notes: “We’re extremely proud to continue our successful partnership with Nike. This unrivaled brand is constantly at the forefront of sports technology and innovation, therefore pushing our design team to continue striving to develop new ground-breaking ideas and high-quality products. We are confident that with the renewal of our long-standing partnership, which dates back to 1999, we can achieve further success with the Nike eyewear collections.”
“We are very happy to renew our long-standing partnership with Iconix Group. Marcolin is looking forward to promoting our business together to the maximum extent.”
Lanie List, chief merchant, Iconix, comments: “Marcolin is the best in class and we are thrilled to continue to grow Candie’s, Bongo, and Rampage eyewear business with them.”
INVESTIGATOR AWARD
Prevent Blindness has named Gayathri Srinivasan, O.D., MS, FAAO, as recipient of the 2015 Joanne Angle Investigator Award. Srinivasan, an assistant professor at the New England College of Optometry, was honored for her study, “Approaches for Identifying Children, Birth to Three Years of Age, at Risk of Having Vision Problems—Novel Visual Development Assessment Tool; Behavioral Screening; Photoscreening—A Pilot Study.”
The award is a research grant presented to scientifically based studies that seek to end unnecessary vision loss. The award was recently renamed after Joanne Angle, who served with the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) for many years as well as volunteered for Prevent Blindness as part of the National Board of Directors and various committees.
FYI...
News bits from the industry
{PEOPLE}
Transitions Optical, Inc., has announced the addition of three new members to its Diversity Advisory Board to help guide and strengthen ongoing efforts through the Transitions Cultural Connections initiative: Mila Ferrer, co-founder of Familias con Diabetes and blogger for “Jaime, mi dulce guerrero”; Margo Wade LaDrew, national board member for the National Council of Negro Women and founder of the Black BeautyShop Health Foundation; and Dan Suarez, president of the National Association of Hispanic Nurses.
Kering Eyewear announces the appointment of Celeste Morozzi as global head of PR & communication. She brings more than 20 years of experience in PR and communication, having worked with several agencies as well as directly for a number of luxury brands.
OD Excellence has added Rollie Stenson as director of sales, and Anthony Senander as membership services manager. As the director of sales, Stenson will drive the enrollment of new members to the services and programs of OD Excellence. He has helped launch numerous lens designs, lens coatings, and diagnostic devices with SOLA Optical and Carl Zeiss Vision, and is well known for presenting entertaining educational seminars to optometrists and opticians. Stenson has worked in management roles at several multi-doctor optical dispensaries, and has provided educational seminars throughout the United States.
{BUSINESS UPDATES}
Envision has formed a new partnership with California-based technology company Gimbal, leading provider of location and proximity-based mobile engagement, to work toward improving accessibility for the visually impaired across mass transit networks nationwide. They will work together in onboarding app developers focused on building applications and services for the visually impaired and transportation services. The companies will also work with transit authorities and out-of-home advertising providers to deploy beacon networks.
Eyefinity and Gateway Professional Network (GPN) announce a partnership to use GPN’s EDGE-based analytic technology to develop business analytics solutions embedded within Eyefinity practice management software. The two organizations have worked closely together for several years via integration with OfficeMate, Eyefinity’s on-premises practice management solution.
The World Council of Optometry (WCO), a global advocate for eye health access and the profession of optometry, will move its offices from London to the offices of the AOA located in St. Louis, MO. With a membership of 90 organizations representing more than 200,000 O.D.s in 54 countries, the WCO works to facilitate the development of optometry around the world and supports optometrists in promoting eye health and vision care as a human right through advocacy, education, policy development, and humanitarian outreach.
{AWARDS}
ClearVision Optical has been named one of 2015’s Best Companies to Work for in New York State by The New York State Society for Human Resource Management (NYSSHRM). The company was recognized at a recent awards gala held in Albany, NY.
First Insight Corporation, developers of MaximEyes Certified EHR and Practice management, was honored by the E-learning! Media Group (EMG) as a “Learning! 100 Award Winner” for the company’s learning and development programs, specifically the Annual MaximEyes Users Conference.
Satisloh’s technical service team recently gathered in Dallas for the company’s eighth annual Service Summit. More than 110 service staff members attended the three-day event, taking courses taught by colleagues as well as vendor partners. Some of the topics covered included hands-on machine diagnostics and troubleshooting, electrical power quality requirements, and improving quality and consistency in service operations.
Puzzle
Finding Success with Contacts
CONTACT LENSES
{WORD SEARCH}
Patients have more options than ever with regards to contact lens designs. Even patients with irregular corneas and presbyopia are able to experience good vision with the advanced contact lenses available today. Try to find all of the terms in this puzzle that relate to contact lenses.
See next month’s issue for the solution.
By Jenean Carlton, ABOC, NCLC
WORD BANK
Add Power
Aspheric
Colored Lenses
Compliance
Concentric Rings
Contact Lenses
Corneal Infiltrates
Corneal Ulcer
Design
Disinfection
Distance Center
Dry Eye
Eye Enhancing Design
Irregular Fittings
Keratoconus
Moisture
Monovision
Multifocal
Near Center
Optical Zone
Peripheral
Presbyopia
Rigid Gas Permeable
Scleral Lenses
Silicon Hydrogel
Soft Contacts
Tear Film
UV Protection
Wettability
{SOLUTIONS}
Below is the solution to the “Business of Retail” Word Search that ran in the May 2015 issue of Eyecare Business.
POP QUIZ
One in four children in the U.S. uses digital devices at least __ hour(s) per day.
a. 3
b. 1
c. 5
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