Smith Brand Editorial Coverage - January / February 2017

SMITH

t January/ February 2017 brand editorial

Total seen monthly circulation: + 79,388,835 Total seen circulation year to date: + 79,388,835 Snow

Active Gear Review - Quantum Helmet with MIPS -21,988 Backcountry Mag -Pivot Helmet with MIPS -36,409 Basin & Range -Quantum Helmet -unavailable Blister Gear Review -ChromaPop Snow Lenses -120,382 C-NET - Vantage Helmet Review - 2,969,686 Departures -1/0 Goggles, Vantage & Quantum Helmet -473,552 Digital Trends -Quantum Helmet -20,000,000 Freeskier.com -ChromaPop Goggle Guide -1,500,000 Freeskier -Squad XL Goggle -70,000 Freeskier -Various Products-70,000 GrindTV.com -Quantum Helmet -14,140 Malakye.com- Gus Kenworthy - 60,349 Men'sHealth.com- Quantum Helmet -10,845,037 Mt. Baker Experience -Riot Goggle - 40,000 Newschoolers - Gus Kenworthy -112,994 Newschoolers - 17/18 Gear Guide -112,994 North Jersey.com-Quantum Helmet -639,346 OR Show Daily -Quantum Helmet -65,000 Outdoor Insight-Squad XL, Quantum Helmet- 5,000 Outside - Vantage Helmet -687,834 Outside Online -Quantum Helmet - 3,817,762 Revolt in Style -1/0 Goggle, Bridgetown -100,000 S GB Media - Gus Kenworthy -24,215 SIA Show Daily - High Five Donation -20,000 Ski Magazine.com- Quantum Helmet- 218,050 SNEWS -Quantum Helmet -48,986 SnowboardMag.com -Code Helmet, Squad XL -52,470 Snow Industry News - Gus Kenworthy- Unavailable Snowsports.org- Gus Kenworthy- unavailable Style of Sport -Sequel Helmet -7,458 TheManual.com -Quantum Helmet -151,225 Transworld Snowboarding.com- Squad Goggle -238,000 Transwor1d Snowboarding.com -Squad XL ChrornaPop -238,000

Press Contact: Kate Gaeir kate@akimboprcom I 206.3.34 0863

Bike

Bicycling -Route Helmet with MIPS -1,529,659 Bike198 -Forefront Helmet, Fuel V.2 Goggles -25,000 Bike Mag- Rover Helmet -45,273 Bikepacking -Pivlock Arena with ChromaPop -100,000 Busted Wallet -Rover Helmet with MIPS - 39,365 Decline -Fuel V.2 Goggle, PivLock Arena, Forefront, Rover -40,000 Duzer TV-Winter Biking Goggle and Helmet -4,907 Mountain Magazine -Pivlock Arena with ChromaPop -125,000 Outside Bozeman -Route and Rover Helmets-20,000 Pinkbike -Rover Helmet -3,821,688 Real Simple - Pivlock Asana -2,038,429 Singletrack World -Rover Helmet -1,500,000 Singletracks -Rover Helmet - 434,901 Singletracks.com -ChromaPop Lens Review -434,901

Sunglass

Outside Online -Cornice Sunglasses- 3,817,762 Ski Magazine -Questa Sunglasses -319,913 T ransworld Snowboarding - ChromaPop lenses -515,000 Transworld Business -January New Releases -14,140

Optical

Digital Trends -Lowdown Focus - 20,000,000 Eyecare Biz -lowdown Focus -40,000 Eyecare Biz -Safilo/Smith-40,000 Eyecessorize -Sidney and Founder - 20,031 Opti-Guide -lowdown Focus -unavailable Sports Illustrated .com - Lowdown Focus -1,624,737 VCPN -1/0 Goggle with ChromaPop -37,100 Vision Monday-lowdown Focus - 20,031 VMail -lowdown Focus-20,031

ABOUT SMITI-1: 011g1natmg trnm Sun Valley, Idaho, SMITI-1 was foundea In 1965 with the invention ot the llrst snow goggle featuring a sealed thermal lens and Dreatnaole vent foam. Wltn so years of innovation and design experience, SMITI-1 is widely known today as an Industry leader that pioneers advanced eyewear and helmets that Incorporate dynamic technologies. optimized performance and clean styling to fuel tun beyond walls. SMITH seeks to power thrillIng experiences In snow. surf. bike, fish and peak performance outdoor adventures with a comprehensive collection tllat exudes modem style and vibrant personalltv To SMITH. the expenence is everytning. Smrth Is pan of Safllo Group.

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T H E

2 0 1 8

T R E N D

B O O K

F E B R U A R Y

2 0 1 7 •

F R E E S K I E R . C O M

F R E E S K I E R

ELLA G I RO Brand new for 2017-18 is the Ella goggle, a women’s-specific offering from Giro. The Ella is sleek and frameless. Its cylindrical ZEISS lens utilizes Vivid technology—Giro’s tech solution for providing enhanced contrast and definition. Premium venting at the top of the goggle further boosts the goal of clear vision, and an easy-to-use, magnetic quick-change lens system comes in handy when it’s time to swap lenses. Not to be overlooked, the style and feel of this product is super attractive and sure to please.

CIRCUIT anon.

All-new for ’17-18, the Circuit is a rockin’ addition to anon.’s oft-awarded goggle lineup. Visual clarity is the name of the Circuit’s game. A spherical Sonar Lens by ZEISS provides clear vision and stellar peripheral vision sans distortion. Venting around the entire perimeter of the goggle combats dreaded fogging. The lightweight Circuit also features cozy, triple-layer face foam and is built to fit over glasses without sacrificing style.

SQUAD XL SMITH The new Squad XL is the largest goggle Smith has released to date and stunning peripheral vision and top-notch lens tech are its foremost features. Said lens tech is the beloved ChromaPop, back again for 2017-18 with its remarkable contrast- and color-enhancing properties. Inside, an anti-fog coating further increases visual clarity. The Squad XL is without a doubt one of the most impressive new goggle offerings on the market.

THE MOST-VIEWED GOGGLES ON FREESKIER.COM, FALL 2016 1. Oakley Air Brake XL

2. Smith I07

3. Oakley Line Miner

4. Dragon NFX2 Chris Benchetler Signature

5. Abom |

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E

F

G

E

SYMBOL 2 PLUS D

H

F

CORONA X

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QUANTUM

H

ROOSTER HELMET LE

S C OT T

PRET

SMITH

SW E E T P ROT E C T I O N

The in-mold-construction Symbol 2 Plus D utilizes Scott’s proprietary safety technology, D30. The D30 shock-absorbing inserts are made up of a material whose molecules flow freely in open cells, which translates to softness and flexibility. But, when impacted, the molecules lock together and distribute force across the material and thus away from the user’s brain. That, combined with MIPS, makes the Symbol 2 Plus D a trusted guard against brain trauma.

Pret is introducing a sister helmet to the celebrated Cirque X, released last season, with the women’s-specific Corona X. The helmet is built with Pret’s VTT4 venting system, which utilizes six vents up top, four in the front and back and a switch that opens them or completely closes them, depending on conditions.

The helmet features MIPS and is also built with polycarbonate sheets of differing sizes, placed in strategic locations, for incredible protection.

Thanks to the use of top-notch technologies and premium materials, the Quantum jumps straight to the top of Smith’s helmet line in its first season of production. The majority of the hybrid helmet is made up of a tough ABS shell, while in-mold rear paneling reduces weight. Additionally, the Quantum employs MIPS and a combination of lightweight yet rigid EPS foam and breathable, impact-resistant co-polymer tubes called Koroyd for an amazing combination of protection and breathability.

Norway-based Sweet Protection is known for its lightweight yet astonishingly protective helmets. In the Rooster, the shell is made up of a carbon fiber reinforced polymer, which boasts an incredible strength-to-weight ratio.

Beneath that is a layer of rigid and light EPS foam panels of differing densities that absorb energy from impacts. MIPS is also added to the equation, translating to a helmet that can stand up to almost anything the mountain throws at it.

THE MOST-VIEWED HELMETS ON FREESKIER.COM, FALL 2016 1. Oakley Mod 3

2. Smith Vantage

3. Sweet Protection Trooper MIPS

4. anon. Prime

5. Pret Cirque X |

067

2017 BRAND RANKINGS

300+ BRANDS

G OG G L E S / S U N G L AS SES

IN THE RUNNING

HELME TS Smith secures back-to-back gold following two years in the silver-medal spot. Meanwhile, after spending three consecutive seasons in the third-place position, Giro bumps up a notch. Omnipresent in the top-three is POC, who after a couple of years as the undisputed ruler, now sits in third. Note the jump of percentages from the third place spot to the fourth.

S M I TH Giro POC Bern Salomon anon.

K2 Scott Oakley Pret

56.9 % 46.0 % 44.7 % 29.9 % 26.8 % 23.2 % 23.0 % 22.0 % 21.9 % 15.8 %

It’s a four-peat for Oakley. And it’s not by mistake. “Brand loyalty is driven by reliability and credibility,” says Oakley’s Category Manager for Helmets and Goggles, Hans Arneson. “At Oakley, we have established reliability from our brand heritage steeped in performance and innovation, and we have gained credibility by developing products good enough for the world’s best athletes. Because of this, our consumers and athletes alike expect products that offer cutting edge technologies and innovations and have specific performance benefits for their sport.”

“Every season we start with a problem statement: What are we setting out to solve?” says Arneson.

“We then tap our network, from elite athletes to recreational participants, to determine a meaningful solution for the problem statement. From there we look at how we can infuse these ideas across all our categories and sports and work efficiently to create a solution that make sense for the Oakley brand and product line-up. All of this helps in creating consistency and keeping that brand loyalty.”

Smith holds steady in second place, four years running. Oakley and Smith hold a considerable lead over third place finisher, Spy—bronze medalist two years running—with 67%, 64.7% and 35.2% of respondents saying, “I’d buy it.”

OAKLEY Smith Spy anon.

Dragon Scott Electric POC Bollé Giro

67.0 % 64.7 % 35.2 % 30.9 % 30.4 % 25.6 % 25.0 % 23.2 % 20.5 % 16.7 %

PAC KS / LUG G AG E

SO C KS

Dakine, too, secures an impressive four-peat, as pertaining to the packs/luggage category. The Hood River, Oregon company holds a considerable lead (59.9%) over runner-up, The North Face (45.7%). The North Face and Black Diamond Equipment have earned the number two and number three spots four years running, respectively. How’s that for consistency?

Smartwool re-affirms its dominance in the world of socks, finishing first over the past four years by margins of 36, 19.8, 20 and now 28.5-percent. Patagonia places number two for the second time in as many years, and Under Armour rounds out the podium this year, marking its first top-three appearance in the category.

D A K INE The North Face Black Diamond Backcountry Access (BCA) Mountain Hardwear Armada Oakley Osprey Camelbak Douchebags

036

|

FREESKIER

59.9 % 45.7 % 43.5 % 32.0 % 30.1 % 29.6 % 26.7 % 26.2 % 25.9 % 24.9 %

SMARTWOOL Patagonia Under Armour Icebreaker Dakine Darn Tough Armada Oakley Spyder Stance

THE TREND BOOK

64.7 % 36.2 % 29.8 % 25.1 % 24.5 % 20.2 % 19.6 % 16.5 % 16.0 % 13.5 %

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r e v o lt i n s t y l e

Winter

GEAR GUIDE

twenty seventeen Photo: Lee Stockwell

Z

DESTINATIONS

BEAR MOUNTAIN Home to award winning terrain parks and 748 permitted acres, Bear Mountain is Southern California’s epicenter for progression and development courtesy of their epic Superpipe & multi skill-level jumps and jibs all around the mountain - In fact it's one of the most progressive terrain parks in the country. bigbearmountainresort.com SNOW SUMMIT Snow Summit is just around the corner from Bear - a premier family-friendly Southern California destination - 240 skiable acres incorporating 31 trails - 14 Total Mountain Lifts. facebook.com/SnowSmt/ MAMMOTH MOUNTAIN California’s highest four-season resort with a summit at 11,053 feet above sea level. Git some! www.mammothmountain.com JUNE MOUNTAIN With over 250 inches of annual dump - plus 1500 acres of skiable terrain - June mountain offers something for everyone.

Guides can take you to amazing backcountry zones including Upper Glass Creek.

Best kept secret in the eastern Sierras! www.junemountain.com

Photo: Lee Stockwell

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PRO PICKS

Longtime Revolt In Style friend & industry professional / ripper Dave Woods (owner of Rail 2 Rail Surf Shop) offers his top two picks for the 2017 season

SKATE BANANA The award winning Skate Banana BTX - Fun, easy to ride, high performance… rips hardpack, jibs, and floats effortlessly in powder.

499.

TRAVIS RICE PRO Fourth Phase Edition - Don’t miss out on this high performance, limited edition, ripping piece of snowboard history handcrafted in the USA at Mervin MFG - a zero hazardous waste board building facility. 599. www.rail2railsurfshop.com

TRAVIS MOUNTAIN BOOT We tested 'em & they passed w/ flying colors!

Winter-proof heavy-duty leather & Vibram Icetrek outsole 200.

IVA CUFF BEANIE (above) toasty for yer bean! 22.

MIZU GLOVES 49. www.thirtytwo.com

I/O 7 SNOW GOGGLE Designed for optimized performance and perfected fit: AirEvac™ ventilation for fogfree integration with Smith helmets 200.

WMN'S BRIDGETOWN ChromaPop - elegant yet bold. So sweeet!

200. www.smithoptics.com

DESCENDANT 8 BOOT A wide foot deserves the same award-winning tech and innovative design as its narrower counterparts, and it can all be found here. 750.

TOM WALLISCH PRO SKIS Goes wherever Tom goes. On trails, on rails, off jumps, through bumps… you get the picture. 550. www.fulltiltboots.com // www.lineskis.com

TM-TWO DIGGERS XLT SNOWBOARD BOOT (facing page) a stiff boot designed for the all day rider / park builder. 349.

BASEMENT BIB Chris Grenier was sick of getting snow down his pants, problem solved.

2L bib with Level 2 lining system. 219.

SHILOH SHELL 2L color blocked insulated shell with Level 2 lining.

199.

LASHED B4BC WOMEN'S BOOT ThirtyTwo crew teamed up with Boarding For Breast Cancer (B4BC) to release a limited kitten inspired women’s Lashed B4BC boot. A portion of proceeds will support B4BC - Boot provides the best fit, flex and comfort from first to last chair this season. 239. www.thirtytwo.com

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138 S H O W C A S E

SMITH ROVER | $150

HIGH-END SUNGLASS BRANDS HAVE BUILT AN INDUSTRY around getting us to spend an extra hundred bucks for fancier plastic. But the helmets made by Smith Optics actually happen to be worth it. Instead of traditional EPS foam, the Rover uses the Koroyd honeycomb structure, whose energy-absorption properties are designed to reduce impact to the brain in a crash.

Until now, Smith’s $220 Forefront was the least-expensive way to wrap this technology around your head. The Rover is priced at $150 ($180 for MIPS). The new lid looks more traditional than the Forefront because most of it is more traditional. But a generous region along each front side of the helmet is filled with a Koroyd panel. The now heavily studied science of brain injury shows these regions are the most sensitive and most likely to suffer an impact, so we’ll take it where we can get it. The rest of the helmet is remarkably breathable and comfortable. Its large vents are fed by deep, cross-ventilating channels, and the retention mechanism can be adjusted especially low for a deep fit. The also-low-but-non-adjustable visor was our only complaint. If you value seeing the trail far ahead of you, the Rover looks pretty sleek visor-less. –T.E.

SPECIALIZED 2FO CLIPLITE | $180

COMFORT AND PERFORMANCE DON’T HAVE TO BE MUTUALLY exclusive, and Specialized’s 2FO ClipLite shoes prove as much by combining casual-shoe style with efficient pedaling performance and toe protection for aggressive trail riding. The ClipLites are designed in conjunction with Specialized’s ergonomic Body Geometry footbeds, which are intended to increase efficiency and reduce the chance of injury by optimizing foot, knee and hip alignment. Additionally, the ClipLites use two independent Boa dials for quick and easy fit adjustment (a standard shoelace version is also available for $120). Design features and talking points aside, what makes the ClipLites stand out is their combination of XC-shoe performance with casual, flat-pedal shoe comfort. The soft, SlipNot-branded rubber sole does a nice job of providing traction for the occasional hike-a-bike section of trail, and when off the bike I didn’t look like Bambi walking on ice. I ran the ClipLites with both Shimano and HT clipless pedals and was able to fine-tune the engagement with ample cleat-position options. For many riders, the ‘unicorn’ of mountain bike footwear was a shoe incorporating the desirable qualities of both casual, flat-pedal shoes and the performance-oriented clipless variety. The ClipLites may not be covered in glitter and rainbows, but this unicorn actually does exist. –R.C.

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2016 MOUNTAIN BIKES AND ACCESSORIES 2017 MOUNTAIN BIKES AND ACCESSORIES

OVER 150 BIKES AND FRAMES | 300+ COMPONENTS, GEAR AND MORE

BUYER’S GUIDE

Price: $109.99 Features: Precision optics lens quality, light sensitive technology,impact protection,100% UV Protection.

Price: $69.99 to $99.99 Features: Designed for the varied conditions of enduro racing, the Soaza Goggle line features Shred’s anti-fog double lens system, hydrophilic treatment on the inner lens, and Shred NoClog hydrophobic vent foam that makes water drops slide away for improved air ow.

SQUAD

SMITH

Smithoptics.com

SHRED OPTICS Shredoptics.com

PROVOCATOR NOWEIGHT AIRFLOW

SOAZA

Price: $159.99 Features: The Provocator NowWeight AirFlow, features the company’s NoDistortion with NXT lenses, a liquid cast urethane based lens, and Rapid Photo which adapts quickly and progressively to changing light conditions for crystal clear vision.

Price: $85 Features: Available with two ChromaPop lenses with each frame, both featuring anti-fog coating. Tear-off compatible. Open lattice-style frame structure for maximum ventilation for fog resistance. Absorbent face foam. Helmet compatible.

PIVLOCK ARENA

SMITH Smithoptics.com

FUEL V.2

Price: $95 Features: Fully sealed frame with full vent foam for dust and mud resistance, ergonomic outrigger positioning system, ultra-wide silicone-backed strap. Roll/Tear Off compatible lens with in-lens tear off posts. Absorbent face foam. Available with two ChromaPop lenses.

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SHRED OPTICS Shredoptics.com

SCOTT SPORTS Scott-sports.com

VECTOR

2017 Buyer’s Guide

Price: $189 Features: Lightweight, interchangable shield style sunglass with a 7x4 toric lens curvature. Featuring new ChromaPop Perfromance lenses to enhance visual clarity and highlight color denition. Comes with two ChromaPop lenses.

Price: $274.99 Features: The Rudy Project Sterling was designed with the aid of an Italian hat craftsman to provide the upmost in comfort & safety. 18 vents assure you’re properly cooled while the RSR7 retention system provides on-the-y, single-handed adjustment.

Price: $129.99 Features: Mips brain protection system, optimized ventilation, adjustable visor.

SMITH

Smithoptics.com

FOREFRONT MIPS Price: $250 Features: Lightweight Aerocore in-mold construction with ventilated protection featuring patented Koroyd material. Integrated skeletal structure. MIPS system available in all colors. VaporFit adjustable t System with 21 vents.

Adjustable / removable visor.

X-Static with reactive cooling performance lining.

Price: $109.99 Features: Light weight construction,Washable pads,D-ring closure, adjustable visor.

SHORT STACK Price: $179 Features: patent pending 360-degree otation system, which helps reduce rotational accelerations to the head during impact.

Combined with Slytech’s NoShock technology, a honeycomb cone structure integrated within the core of the helmet, the two systems dissipate linear and multidirectional forces to the head during impact.

SHRED Shredoptics.com

SCOTT SPORTS Scott-sports.com

VIVO PLUS

SPARTAN SCOTT SPORTS Scott-sports.com

RUDYE-rudy.com PROJECT

STERLING

ROVER MIPS Price: $180 Features: Lightweight Aerocore in-mold construction with zonal ventilated protection featuring patented Koroyd material. MIPS system available in all colors.

VaporFit adjustable t System with 20 optimized vents. Integrated visor.

X-Static with reactive cooling performance lining.

Ultra-light single layer webbing.

HELMETS

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FEBRUARY 2017

Blue Light Special

Titan Minimal Art - The Icon from Silhouette with custom lens etching

by Luxe Laboratory

In the Cut Rimless Eyewear, Meet Lens Art Are You AR-OK? 2 Must-Read ECP Success Stories

Dig in to the real truths about blue light, learn how 2 ODs branded themselves as Blue Light Specialists + we unveil ECPs’ best-selling blue light-blocking lenses

Where the Wild Things Are Step Inside Optician Coyote DeGroot’s Wild World

›› T R E N D S P OT T I N G

Eyeballing New Technology 9 exciting new vision-related releases served up at the CES show

s

SafiloX, a line of brainwave-sensing eyewear to be released soon, will start in Safilo's Smith brand

elf-driving cars? Check. Robots?

Check. Drones of all sizes? You bet.

The CES 2017 technology show had all that and more when it rolled into Las Vegas Jan. 5-8.

And, in the midst of all that new, disruptive technology was a surprising amount of eyewear-related products (and we don’t mean those ubiquitous virtual reality headsets).

Check out nine of the notable, game-changing launches EB found on the massive CES floors:

Smart Eyewear

See Them in Action!

To find out more about these products, check out the video interviews done on the CES show floor by EB’s Susan Tarrant, and see the products in action!

Visit facebook. com/eyecarebusiness/videos/

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Eyecare B u s in es s. c o m

February 2017

Oakley had athletes demonstrating its new Radar Pace (oakley.com), a smart sunwear frame that collects and analyzes performance data as it connects athletes to a real-time, voice-activated coaching system.

Safilo unveiled its partnership with science tech company Interaxon for SafiloX, a brainwave-sensing eyewear platform designed to help wearers hone their ability to focus their brain and body. SafiloX will be rolled out this spring in Smith Optics’s Lowdown Focus (smithoptics.com).

On the enterprise and occupational use front, Vuzix (vuzix.com) debuted new smart glasses, including its Vuzix Blade 3000 smart sunglasses and the M3000 smart glasses.

Eyewear-Assisted Cameras Recording your view without having to look through a lens is now possible, thanks to a host of eyewear products that either have a camera embedded in the frame, such as the Sunnycam from Lyte Wearable Tech (sunnycam.com), or allow a camera to be attached.

The latter category will be making a splash in the optical channel when PogoTek launches its PogoCam this spring with partners ClearVision Optical, FGX International, Argus Vision, and Vista The Radar Pace from Oakley

JANUARY 2017

Superlative Sunwear 3 Glam Trends Nailed It 2 ECPs Merchandise a Stellar Mix 2017's Mega Optical Trends 10 BIG Directions Gwen Stefani rocks the sleek L.A.M.B. SUSA LA029 in Black from Tura

Gwen!

The Grammy Award-winning, fashion-designing phenom dishes exclusively with EB on her eyewear collections + her serious specs appeal

›› T R E N D S P OT T I N G : TALK I N G P O I N T S

Luisa Delgado…

On Goals + Opportunities for 2017 â

WHAT ARE SAFILO’S KEY GLOBAL GOALS FOR 2017?

Balancing, focusing, and differentiating, while simplifying, is the cornerstone of our 2020 strategy. We will continue being product innovators, delivering exceptional quality as we pursue the fueling of a balanced portfolio that fulfills the entire spectrum of end-consumer demand and provides mutual value for our customers in five key segments: Fashion Luxury, Contemporary/Lifestyle, Mass Cool, Sports/Outdoor, and Atelier.

Commercially speaking, our goal is to work side by side with our customers to support their sell-through and their consumer guidance so we can grow together. And, in terms of technology, we are placing significant focus on the sun lenses arena, providing a range that extends from the hottest trends in decorated lenses to the technology of the original polarized Polaroid lenses and Smith ChromaPop lenses.

â

WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST OPPORTUNITIES FOR SAFILO MOVING FORWARD IN THE U.S.?

Luisa Delgado was appointed CEO of Safilo Group and Safilo S.p.A. in 2013. Prior to her role at Safilo, Delgado spent more than 21 years at Procter & Gamble (P&G), where she worked in several local and international roles based in Portugal, the U.K., Belgium, Switzerland, and Sweden. In her last role at P&G, as vice president and CEO for the Nordic region, she was responsible for the turnaround of the P&G business there.

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Eyecare B u s in es s. c o m

January 2017

We have clearly defined the brands in our portfolio that play into Gucci’s offer, now that our license has expired. Our goforward strategy is to continue to grow our brands organically and overproportionally, while acquiring new brands—such as rag & bone, Moschino, and Love Moschino (all launching in 2018)— to widen our offer consistently and without overlap.

We believe in strong brands with unique equity DNA, translated into equally unique recognizable eyewear product design, distributed in clearly targeted channels.

We see solid market growth in the highest-end Atelier category, with the January 2017 launch of collections for Elie Saab and OXYDO, and in the Mass/Cool segment where Polaroid continues to progress—as well as Havaianas, which will launch

in March. We also see the Contemporary segment accelerating, where Carrera plays.

â

WHAT IS YOUR VIEW OF THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE FACING INDEPENDENT EYECARE PROFESSIONALS TODAY?

We see market consolidation, a changing managed care landscape, a growing optical chain presence, and emerging e-commerce as some of the biggest challenges.

“We see market consolidation, a changing managed care landscape, a growing optical chain presence, and emerging e-commerce as some of the biggest challenges.”

â

HOW CAN EYECARE PROFESSIONALS BEST ADDRESS THESE CHALLENGES IN TODAY’S HIGHLY COMPETITIVE MARKETPLACE?

Safilo can support and enable the ECPs with the following to provide them with a competitive edge in this challenging environment, with product differentiation being paramount: 1. Market-leading product.

2. A strong and wide brand portfolio, across all segments to address any consumer’s brand request, backed by a recommended core collection of best-selling styles. 3. Trade marketing tools, including e-commerce for omni-channel to drive traffic and sales conversion, and, as of mid-2017, the release of SMILE, our proprietary technology category management system. 4. A win-win commercial partnership enabling ECPs to choose which Safilo brands they carry versus conditional selling. 5. Incentivized support with transparent trade terms on Safilo brands with margin-enhancing investments that increase with the number of Safilo brands carried.

—Erinn Morgan

FYI

FYI...

News Bits From the Industry { PEOPLE } Masoud Nafey, O.D., has joined Eyefinity as vice president of professional relations. Dr. Nafey also serves as the national director of professional services for VSP Onsite Clinics and maintains clinic hours two days a week.

HOYA Vision Care has announced the appointment of Bruce Scott as general manager of Seiko Optical of America. Scott brings more than 25 years of industry experience to the position, including his previous role as regional vice president with Essilor.

OWL, an association of interdisciplinary ophthalmic

professionals, announced that Michael Ackermann, Ph.D.; Taryn Conway; Candace Simerson; and John Vukich, M.D., have joined its Board of Directors.

Richard Sanchez of Visibility Management has been elected the new chairperson of the Prevent Blindness Board of Directors. Prevent Blindness has also announced new members elected to the board: Sandra Block, O.D., of the Illinois Eye Institute at Princeton Vision Clinic and Illinois College of Optometry; Stephen Corman of Corman Enterprises, LLC; and Mark Ginsberg of VSP Global.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT… â Hilco Vision has acquired Jonathan Paul Eyewear, a pioneer of the fitover category of sunwear and creator of the Jonathan Paul Fitover brand. The announcement follows acquisitions by Hilco Vision in Germany last year and most recently in the Benelux region, and is part of an effort by the company to be a global partner to its customers.

â Independent Doctors of Optometric Care (IDOC), LLC, the largest privately held alliance of independent optometrists in the U.S., has been acquired by Investors Management Corp. (IMC), a Raleigh, NC, private investment firm. IDOC has previously been held by The Riverside Company. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. â Essilor announced it has taken a 50% stake in Photosynthesis Group, a Hong Kong-based company that markets sunglasses and corrective lenses under a range of banners, including MJS. Separately, the company agreed to purchase a 55% equity interest in Jiangsu Creasky Optical, an ophthalmic lens manufacturer and distributor based in China.

Read more about these and other news stories at EB News: eyecarebusiness.com/eb-news.

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Eyecare B u s in es s. c o m

January 2017

Masoud Nafey, Eyefinity

Bruce Scott, Seiko Optical of America

WestGroupe USA has announced the appointment of Christopher Mullen to the position of central regional sales director. Mullen has more than 19 years of experience in both sales and management positions in the optical industry.

Dan Smith has rejoined Zyloware Eyewear as director of regional accounts. Smith previously worked for Zyloware from 2010 to 2015. { BUSINESS UPDATES } Seven nonprofit organizations will receive grants ranging from $1,000-$5,000 given by the ABB Cares Program. Nominated

by Family Vision Center of Porter and Crosby, TX, Addi’s Faith Foundation received the platinum award of $5,000.

Modern Optical International sponsored a food drive to support Libby’s Place, an on-campus food bank at Aurora University in Aurora, IL. Modern Optical employees donated more than 800 items.

State Optical Co. has announced the debut of its launch collection to Canada’s independent eyewear market.

Canada is now the only country outside of the U.S. where State

Richard Sanchez, Prevent Blindness

Optical frames are available.

Smith has announced a threeyear partnership with Intrawest as the official eyewear, goggle, and helmet sponsor for Intrawest’s mountain properties.

Super Optical International has teamed up with Shark Glass Recycling North America to use recycled windshield glass in the lens blocks that are used in Super Optical’s FastGrind system. The lens blocks will use 50% Shark Glass and 50% Super Optical proprietary material. { AWARDS } Emily Ashworth, chief technology officer at ABB Optical Group, received the South Florida Business Journal Technology Award.

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