Kering Takes Gucci on the Road
Kering Eyewear released the first Gucci Eyewear sales campaign, the first since fully taking the brand in-house. A team of brand ambassadors has been hired to target all markets locally when it separates from Safilo on Dec. 31. Kering has already begun taking orders for the January 2017 Gucci Eyewear collection. Info: kering.com
Vision Council Dedicates $3 Million to Think About Your Eyes
The Vision Council has announced that it will contribute $3 million to the Think About Your Eyes Campaign in 2017, a six-fold increase from the 2016 contribution of $500,000, in response to the success of the campaign in reaching consumers and growing eye exams across the country. In 2015, the campaign’s messaging resulted in nearly 1 million eye exams, shortened the exam cycle by 45 percent and brought an additional $320 million in revenue to the vision industry. Info: thinkaboutyoureyes.com
Operation Sight Offers Free Cataract Surgery
The American Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgery Foundation has announced Operation Sight, which provides free cataract surgery to needy patients. In an effort to broaden the Operation Sight network and address a backlog of cataract patients across the U.S., the foundation is encouraging volunteer surgeons to join Operation Sight. The foundation provides a financial stipend for each surgery completed. Info: operationsight.ascrs.org
National Vision Grant Applications Due in January
Through its 2016-2017 Grant Program, National Vision is asking students to tackle the topic of technology innovation and consider how it has impacted the optical industry as well as how it will affect their future careers. Third- and fourth-year optometry students from across the U.S. are eligible to apply for the chance to win $5,000. Application due Jan. 31, 2017. Info: nationalvision.com
Shamir Launches Free Classes for ECPs
Shamir Insight has launched a continuing education portal focusing on staff education in both new technology and refresher courses with free access to eyecare professionals. The education portal contains 21 self-guided Shamir-developed presentations. In addition to the free CE content, and in conjunction with Quantum Optical, for a small fee, the portal also offers over 90 courses for CE credits including four COPE courses. Info: quantumoptical.com/shamirceportal
This article originally appeared in the November 2016 edition of INVISION.