ORLANDO, Fla.—At its 17th Annual Transitions Academy, Transitions Optical honored a number of industry leaders while introducing celebrity ambassadors who will promote the brand at high profile events during 2013. In addition to announcing the fact that baseball legend Cal Ripken, Jr. will join Transitions’ roster of famous spokespeople, Grammy-winner Darius Rucker and celebrity chef Robert Irvine were both in attendance to express their participation in the company’s promotional events as well.

Also, among the winners of various annual awards were Diversified Ophthalmics as Lab of the Year, Complete Family Vision Care as Eyecare Practice of the Year, SVS Vision Optical Centers as Regional Retailer of the Year, and National Vision as National Retailer of the Year.

The company also announced for 2013 its largest national media campaign to date featuring tv and print ads, events, online outreach through PR and social media, and new point-of-sale materials. President Dave Cole said, “We don’t want to just provide a lens, so we’ve set a new vision for our company, which is to enrich the way people see and experience life.” ■

jsailer@jobson.com

   
 “Transitions Optical is 22 years old,” said Transitions’ Dave Cole. “We built our company from the very beginning on co-dependent partnerships.”
 About the company’s largest ever media campaign, Transitions’ Brian Hauser said, “The commercial is already on TV, so consumers are going to be coming in asking for our multiple products.”


 
 As one of Transition’s newest celebrity ambassadors, Darius Rucker, Grammy-winning country music star and former lead singer of Hootie and the Blowfish made a surprise performance.
 Celebrity chef Robert Irvine, another new ambassador for Transitions, was also in attendance at the 17th Annual Transitions Academy.

   
 The honor of 2012 National Retailer of the Year went to National Vision, Inc.
SVS Vision Optical Centers earned the distinction of 2012 Regional Retailer of the Year.

   
 Diversified Ophthalmics, Inc. was named the 2012 Transitions Lab of the Year, a distinction the Cincinnati-based lab also took home in 2005.
 Complete Family Vision Care was recognized as the 2012 Eyecare Practice of the Year for promoting eye health and the Transitions brand within its practice and community.