High Visibility features companies, products and collections that are raising brand awareness through strategic partnerships, sponsorships, consumer advertising campaigns and tie-ins to prominent events. To be considered for inclusion please contact Senior Editor, Deirdre Carroll.


Izod IndyClearVision is offering a chance for four to win a trip to the 2009 Indy 500 race in Indianapolis, Indiana on May 24th in conjunction with IZOD. Open to eyecare professionals only, the ClearVision-IZOD Indy 500 Sweepstakes prize package for four includes: roundtrip airfare, ground transportation, hotel accommodations, suite level tickets to the 2009 Indy 500 race, parade tickets, and a meal stipend to ensure the whole group stays in the center of the adrenaline-pumping action. The company is running a colorful campaign to promote the contest featuring a race car driver wearing the ClearVision IZOD PerformX-64 frame. To enter, go to www.cvosweeps.com. Deadline for entry is May 1st and the winner will be drawn by ClearVision on May 4th…





Julie DepardieuThe César Awards, the “French Oscars,” honor the best French films of the past year as nominated by members of the Académie des Arts et Techniques du Cinéma. This year, Jil Sander Eyewear from Marchon served as the Official Eyewear Sponsor of the 34th annual awards. “The talents honored at this year’s show each served as eyewear ambassadors while individually translating the design aesthetic and uniqueness of the Jil Sander brand,” stated Pierre Bessez, vice president of designer brands for Marchon. Some of those talents included four-time César winning actress Isabelle Adjani, legendary actor/singer Gérard Darmon, and actress Julie Depardieu, shown here in the in Jil Sander JS106S, daughter of actor Gerard Depardieu. She can be seen in the upcoming film “La Femme Invisible” and won a César for her role in “Un Secret” in 2008…






North Carolina Blue WayfarersEye Care Associates, an optometric practice in North Carolina, now has the classic Ray-Ban Wayfarer available exclusively in “Carolina Blue” at all of the their 17 locations. “As a Carolina alum with two children at UNC, I am excited to introduce the world’s first Carolina Blue Ray-Ban sunglasses during March Madness,” said Stephen Bolick, OD, founder and CEO of Eye Care Associates. “They offer Carolina fans another way to show their spirit during the NCAA tournament and will provide eye protection for them when they attend other outside sporting events.” The limited edition Carolina Blue Wayfarers, a first of their kind, are the result of an agreement with Luxottica which came about after Eye Care Associates requested the line in support of their status as a Preferred Eye Care Provider for Carolina Athletics…



Maria SharapovaThe epitome of the fusion of sport and glamour, three-time tennis Grand Slam Champion, Maria Sharapova, has become a TAG Heuer Eyewear ambassador and muse. In conjunction, the brand, with Premiere Vision/Logo of the Americas is introducing a new dedicated women’s range designed and inspired by the striking Siberian sports star. “I am truly excited be involved in such a project and hope my supporters will like my TAG Heuer eyewear as much as I do,” said Sharapova. “It is a challenging process designing eyewear and requires much time and dedication to produce a quality finished product. I have worked hard with the TAG Heuer designers and am delighted with the results. I cannot wait to get hold of a pair as I am desperate to show them off.” The tennis champ’s new collection will be the first ever TAG Heuer collection devoted solely to women and will debut in Fall 2009…




Rudy Project The New York Times
Rudy Project’s new 2009 model, the Noyz, was chosen as the top choice for running in low-light conditions by The New York Times in a recent review of five major sport eyewear brands. Rudy Project was the only privately-held, independent eyewear company to be included in the review. “The New York Times is the most well known newspaper in the world, so you can imagine how pleased we are to win out, among a field of corporate giants, as the go-to sunglass of those reviewed,” said Paul Craig, president and co-founder of Rudy Project North America. “We focus our R&D resources on being the best in sports eyewear and I feel this review serves as a validation of our mission.”