Products & ideas for the laboratory professional.
Issue link: https://opticallabproducts.epubxp.com/i/472711
march 2015 25 opticallabproducts.com TRANSITIONS ACADEMY NEWS "Our commitment is to continue to drive unprecedented demand for this brand," James noted. Patience Cook, associate director of North America marketing, outlined Transitions' plans for 2015. It includes integrating its TV, print, digital, and public relations into one powerful marketing plan called "See life through a new lens ™ ." Transitions has formed partner- ships with National Geographic and Rolling Stone magazines and social media blogger Sarah Evans who will create digital content for the company, particularly at South by Southwest ® . New online videos will be made available on hulu and social media sites. "Creative tactics like these videos will help consum- ers learn about the brand," Cook said. They will also have the opportunity to try Transitions products temporarily with the Transitions Trial Decal ™ which can be applied to clear lenses. In March, a new Transitions Customer Hub will begin as a single portal for lenscasters, labs, and ECPs to get information and XTRActive lenses will be available in brown in April. AND THE WINNERS ARE Transitions Academy concluded with Mikael Malagies, director of channel management, and Paddy McDermott, president, stressing that participants activate what they have learned. "We're giving you the experience, it's up to you to activate it," McDermott concluded. Malagies then announced Transitions 2014 award winners. Walman Optical won as Transitions' 2014 Lab of the Year (see "Wal- man's Three-Pronged Approach," p. 22). It is Walman's second win and seventh if its other labs, Toledo Optical and Soderberg, are included. Other fnalists were Expert Optics, Inc. and Optical Prescription Lab's Digital Processing Center. Southern Eye Specialists P.C. of Atlanta won Transitions' Eyecare Practice of the Year. The practice has four employees and Rohit Sharma, OD, said he was eternally grateful to his staff. Other winners included Henry Ford OptimEyes as Regional Retailer of the Year, Costco Optical as National Retailer of the Year, and Opto- Réseau as Retailer of the Year for Canada. Santinelli. Expect Consistency. • Robust "24/7" volume production capabilities • In-chamber grooving • High base curve customizable beveling and shelf beveling • New & improved, durable Lens Measuring Unit (LMU) High-Volume SE-9090 Supra www.santinelli.com 800.644.3343 extension 325 First Vision Media Group's Ed DeGennaro and his wife, Barbara, listened to a silent rave on the last night of Academy. Representatives from Costco Optical accepted their award as National Retailer of the Year. Southern Eye Specialists were thrilled to win Transitions' Eyecare Practice of the Year. Manuel Solis and Diane Bouffard from Transitions Optical danced at the rave. Connie Achman of X-Cel Optical, Sarah Barrows, Paddy McDermott, and John Ligas of Transitions Optical enjoyed karaoke night.