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Safilo and Missoni Announce Their New Multi Year Licensing Agreement

Safilo and Missoni, one of the best known and loved Italian fashion and design brands, announce their new five-year global eyewear licensing agreements for Missoni and M Missoni, renewable at the same conditions up to 2029.

The new Missoni and M Missoni eyewear collections will hit the market in January 2020 and will be anticipated by a digital communication campaign to unveil step by step the new products.

“The Missoni and M Missoni brands are such a perfect fit in our portfolio. We share with these iconic Italian brands the same values of visionary design, tradition, and excellence in manufacturing,” says Angelo Trocchia, CEO of Safilo Group. “At Safilo we can furthermore draw on our extensive archive, rich in inspiration thanks to our previous collaboration, thereby ensuring forward momentum to further support the brands’ global distribution and important business development for both our Companies.”

“We are honoured and proud to be working with Safilo once again, it represents a reunion of sorts as Safilo was our first-ever eyewear licensee in the ‘80s. Safilo is an Italian manufacturer that has a long tradition and strong expertise in its craftsmanship. From a creative perspective, I’ve always loved this product category and cannot wait to see all the diverse elements of the Missoni style developed in this new eyewear collaboration,” says Angela Missoni, Chairman and Creative Director of Missoni Group.

Michele Norsa, Industrial Partner of FSI and Vice-Chairman of Missoni, adds: “It’s an important partnership that contributes to our goal of adding further value to the brands, while giving a tangible boost to our business plan development, widening its potential of growth. With Safilo and the new eyewear collections, Missoni reinforces its brand position in the fashion and luxury industry with a global reach and well articulated product range that appeals to worldwide consumers.”

Source: Safilo

Introducing MCM Eyewear’s New Vintage Collection

MCM’s disruptive design approach sets the tone for a new eyewear collection where classic inspiration meets high-tech sophistication. Top of the line materials, sleek finishings and sharp metallic details are masterfully crafted to enhance the glamorous impact of every style, while continuously playing with dramatic proportions and alluring chromatic effects.

MCM672SA

Inspired by the iconic MCM MUNCHEN A10 style, these mask-style sunglasses combine a vintage mood with high-tech design in a magnified shape enhanced with a laminated front and lasered MCM logo upon the lens. The frame is enriched with a logo-engraved gold metal plaque on the cutout temples. Available in Black, Black/Havana, Havana/Olive and Wine/Marble Wine.

Distributed by Marchon: www.marchon.com

Zeiss Achieves Record Revenue

Zeiss Group revenue for the fiscal year 2017/18 increased by nine percent to a record 5.8 billion Euros, according to the Annual Report released on Dec. 18. The revenue increase was 12 percent after currency adjustments.

“All ZEISS segments and regions contributed to this outstanding result. Our innovative products for the semiconductor industry and medical technology in particular ensured significantly greater, above-market growth dynamics,” said Michael Kaschke, President of Zeiss.

The consumer markets segment that includes vision care and consumer products grew at an above-market rate (+5% after currency adjustment) in most markets. Revenue from Zeiss-branded eyeglass lenses increased most in China, Brazil, other emerging economies and Europe. The Annual Report cites USA as a market presenting a particular challenge due to competitive pressures including “high price pressure.” Against this backdrop, the Consumer Products business will undergo “necessary reorganization measures” to optimize the cost structure.

Growth was strongest in the semiconductor manufacturing segment at +26%.

Zeiss group generated 90 percent of its 2017/18 revenue outside of Germany. The company’s revenue grew by 5 percent in the Americas region.

“Even if, in light of the economic forecast, momentum in the segments and regions will vary, we anticipate continued organic growth overall with a stable EBIT margin. With our consistent focus on innovations, investments and expansion, we have our sights set squarely on our goal of achieving six billion in revenue,” said Kaschke.

The full annual report is available here.

Optometric Organizations Reach Agreement on Establishing New COPE Governing Committee

AAO American Academy of Optometry logo

The American Academy of Optometry (Academy), the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) and the Association of Regulatory Boards of Optometry (ARBO) announce that a joint agreement has been reached to restructure the governance of the Council on Optometric Practitioner Education (COPE™). The newly established COPE Governing Committee will be comprised of representatives from ARBO, ASCO, and the Academy to assure collaboration and the ongoing advancement of the quality of optometric continuing education.

“After several years of profession-wide discussions, the Academy is pleased to announce that we signed a Memorandum of Understanding agreement to form a multi-organizational COPE Governing Committee. The collective strengths and unity of our organizations will ensure the highest standards of optometric continuing education and the sustained advancement of the profession,” states Brett G. Bence, OD, FAAO, Academy Past President (2015 & 2016).

COPE accredits optometric continuing education for use by ARBO’s member regulatory boards in assessing and determining eligibility for licensure by optometrists. COPE accreditation serves the public, regulatory boards and the profession by promoting improvement in competence, performance and patient outcomes.

“ARBO is pleased to announce this historic collaboration with the Academy and ASCO. We’re looking forward to enhancing communication and broadening decision-making by adding their expertise to COPE. I’m confident that they will make valuable contributions to the COPE accreditation process to have a positive impact on optometrist learning, performance and patient health outcomes,” states Richard Orgain, OD, ARBO President.

“As optometric educators, the faculties from our 23 institutions set high standards for ourselves and for our students,” says David Damari, OD, FCOVD, FAAO, President of ASCO and Dean of Michigan College of Optometry at Ferris State University. “ASCO is pleased to join our colleagues from ARBO and the Academy on this agreement regarding the governance of and standards set by COPE. This collaborative effort will benefit all optometrists as they continue on the path of life-long learning begun in the schools and colleges of optometry.”

Initial nominations to the COPE Governing Committee are now underway, with the anticipation of completion in January 2019. Duties of the governing committee will include setting standards, policies and procedures for the COPE accreditation program, making accreditation determinations based on compliance with COPE accreditation criteria and policies, and preparing and presenting an annual report to the ARBO House of Delegates and the boards of directors of the participating organizations.

Source: American Academy of Optometry

Essilor Further Strengthens Its Employee Shareholding, Reaching 65% Globally

Essilor announced that employee shareholding worldwide is expected to reach around 65%, a 10% increase compared with a year ago. More than 45,000 Essilor employees in 58 countries now hold a financial stake in EssilorLuxottica, born following the successful combination of Essilor and Luxottica on October 1st, 2018.

After the success of its employee shareholding plan in 2017, Essilor launched “Boost 2018”, a wider employee share ownership initiative. With a subscription rate at a record level of 66%, the Company’s latest initiative enabled more than 35,000 Essilor employees in over 40 countries to become shareholders of the Group or to increase their participation. The Company has launched an employee shareholding plan every year for the past 30 years.  

Hubert Sagnières, Essilor’s Chairman, declared: “The success of our latest employee shareholding initiative reflects the strong alignment of our employees with our strategy and mission of improving lives by improving sight. Since Essilor’s creation, employee shareholding has been a fundamental pillar of the Group’s culture and central to its unique governance model. Looking ahead, as confirmed during EssilorLuxottica’s first General Meeting, we aim at further expandin gemployees’ involvement in the combined Group’s continuous growth story.”

Click HERE for the full press release.

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