COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.—Essilor of America hosted a group of about 750 independent distributors, partner labs and sales representatives at its Western-themed National Sales Meeting, held here from Jan. 7 to 9. The annual, three-day conference, which took place at the historic Broadmoor Hotel, provided Essilor’s management team with a platform to discuss the company’s strategic plans for 2013, preview new products and programs, and honor outstanding sales performers.

The most significant new product Essilor is launching is Xperio UV lenses, which combine the benefits of polarization with protection against damaging UV light. “The unveiling of Xperio UV lenses is just another example of Essilor’s commitment to deliver the best products available in the market to eyecare professionals (ECPs) and their patients,” said Theresa Agnew, senior vice president of marketing, Essilor of America.

The launch of Xperio UV will kick off with a multimillion dollar national consumer advertising campaign this month. Designed to inform patients about the benefits of a superior polarized lens on the market and drive them into independent ECP practices, the multimedia national consumer campaign includes television, radio, print and online ads.

Essilor is also stepping up its promotion of Crizal brand of AR lenses this year. On Jan. 14, the company began airing Crizal ads, which will be followed by a new Crizal campaign starting in the spring with new messaging that emphasizes clarity of vision and eye health.

A Varilux consumer advertising pilot ad campaign is planned for the second half of 2013. ■

akarp@jobson.com



     
 Essilor’s Mary Lou McGuire (l) and Linda Pattington show off their portraits drawn by a caricaturist.
 Tom Risacher (l) and John Art of Interstate Optical were among the Essilor partner lab executives at the reception.  (L to R) Essilor’s Andy Huthoefer, Bob Colucci and Marc Francois-Brazier enjoyed the food, drink and each other’s company.

     
 (L to R) Maricruz Garza of VSP, Steve Shawler of Essilor Vision Foundation and Ed Morris and Glenna Glenn of VSP were all smiles at the reception.
Attendees dressed in Western garb during a team building exercise that involved buying, selling and negotiating.
 Posters, like this one for Essilor’s Carl “Deadeye” Bracy, kept the Western theme alive.

   
 Essilor’s Howard Purcell, OD, delivering opening remarks at the general session.
(L to R) Randy Demarest, Kevin Rupp and David Milan of Essilor, with Connie Achman of X-Cel Optical at the dinner honoring Essilor’s independent distributors.