2020&U

Just Do It

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Hey. What’s wrong with you guys out there? If WE can do it, YOU can do it. I’m talking about sports, or, more specifically, the sport eyewear category in the optical arena. At 20/20 we very specifically target sport eyewear in a big editorial way each year, although the range of products available and brands at the forefront from numerous vendors is detailed to an increasingly greater extent in every issue.

Are You Being Served?

Tue, 11 Mar 2008 05:00:00 GMT

I’m not a big fan of the gym. While it’s nice to see people trying to stay fit and active, all that running and walking in place makes me feel like I’m in a giant hamster cage, albeit with fancier equipment. The truth is, for me it’s kind of a joyless experience, so I recently joined the Y and started swimming again, an activity I loved as a kid.

Let’s Get Rolling on Drop Balling

Tue, 19 Feb 2008 05:00:00 GMT

The Food and Drug Administration’s recent proposal to impose new guidelines for lens impact testing is sending shock waves throughout the optical industry.

Breaking the Rules

Fri, 18 Jan 2008 05:00:00 GMT

The following entry is based on the editor’s letter by 20/20 Executive Editor Jackie Micucci introducing the Feb 2008 issue of SunVision. SunVision is a special supplementary issue jointly published by 20/20 and Vision Monday in partnership with Altair, Colors in Optics, I-Coat, i-dealoptics, Kenmark, Lafont, Luxottica, Quantum – FGX, Revolution, VisionEase, Wiley X and Younger.

The Great Wail

Mon, 07 Jan 2008 05:00:00 GMT

This could be a bit of a dangerous journey. Perhaps I shouldn’t even be going “here” quite yet but I’m hoping this “trip” will get some company from the “U” part of this 20/20&U blog. What are your concerns about eyewear made in China?

Care for some Brand-y?

Thu, 29 Nov 2007 05:00:00 GMT

I’m sure most of you are familiar with What’s Brand New, 20/20’s extra-edition March issue dedicated to helping you discover the latest in branded eyewear and sunwear collections. That issue also contains an extensive listing of ALL of the eyewear brands we are aware of in optical with both phone and online info on how to connect with the vendors and manufacturers presenting those collections.

Big Box vs. Mom and Pops

Thu, 15 Nov 2007 05:00:00 GMT

“Do you know if you have the new Eagles CD?” “This store’s got no pet department.” “No, it’s a new double CD by the Eagles… a group… from California… they have an exclusive deal with this store… it’s the only place you can buy it… it’s the reason I came shopping here today.”

What the Heck’s a Combo?

Fri, 09 Nov 2007 05:00:00 GMT

We just delivered our November 20/20 issue on something we continually call combo frames: those styles combining zyl and metal materials as a most viable and appealing frame choice. The feature is called “Blatant Materialism” since it has some fun sending the decidedly overt message that eyewear is, at its most basic, a product situation and solution hugely based on the proper and artistic mastering of elemental materials.

So how are these “combo” frames in your biz? Does the mix of zyl and metal make sense to you? Do you call them “combos” or do you not get into details like that; concentrating more on price points and branding?

We want to hear from you about it.

And… I’d like to point out yet another interesting and important “combo” inherent to EVERY issue of 20/20. Since January 2003 20/20 has proudly incorporated L&T magazine as the leading optical publication dedicated to lenses and technology, all via the long-standing guidance of Jobson’s lens guru Andrew Karp.

We’re very proud of the growth L&T has experienced since its incorporation within 20/20. It certainly signifies our editorial assurance to reflect and represent every aspect of the optical arena in a leadership manner befitting the range and commitment of our readership, 20/20’s most important ingredient.

But here’s my question on that front:
Should L&T be a stand-alone magazine?

Or do you prefer it within the pages of 2020? Would you like it better if we bagged it together but separately bound?

Readers rarely get a chance to impact the publishing of a magazine. It’s risky business but we really would like to know your feelings. So feel free to comment right here on Combo frames or the combination of a magazine-within-a-magazine, 20/20 and L&T.

—James J. Spina, 20/20 Editor in chief

Guess Who I Saw OnLine?

Wed, 31 Oct 2007 04:00:00 GMT

Rightfully so, considering the scenario of any sort of publishing these days, our publisher Jim Vitkus is very antsy about getting some responses from the optical community about day-to-day online habits.

As you must be aware every aspect of magazine publishing is now critically impacted by an on-line presence that rivals print in every way from readership to revenue and this very moment is, in fact, just the veeeery long beginning.

“Like it” or “What?” the presence of Internet related aspects of everything optical grows deeper in its web relationship daily. And that’s no different be it medical, technical, fashionable, lab-able or retail-able.

There’s software assaulting you daily with promises of a practice made easy. There’s the essence of communication with labs and vendors and patients and customers and education. There’s you staring at a computer and embracing the buzz or stepping aside and saying “Enough!” Not me. I’m done. I don’t do it that way. What in the world does this have to do with eyewear?

Well, that’s what we want to know.

What does it have to do with you? Do you increasingly turn to the Internet and your computer? Has that screen become your key to the quest for better vision? Do you text message? Do you look like a geek Blackberrying at a lunch counter?

Do U? R U? 2020&U wants to know. Or is that …“No”?

—James J. Spina, 20/20 Editor in chief

Niche Picking

Tue, 23 Oct 2007 04:00:00 GMT

Luxury? Value? Rimless?

Sport Sun? Designer Sunglasses?

Managed Care? Who Cares?

Niche this…Niche that. So where is your comfort zone when it comes to dispensing and retailing eyewear? We put that sometimes dreaded “retailing” word in there because when it comes to niche merchandising and marketing you simply must understand that dispensing eyewear is encased in the incredibly complex mix of selling goods to good people looking to buy. Or maybe even that label itches your particular niche!

Well we want to know.

Where’s your niche? Why are you there? Are there other places you’d rather be? Does the pure product side of being an eyecare pro make you feel… well… sickly?

Come on. Let’s hear it from you.

By virtue of our role as an enhancer of eyewear products 20/20 is deeply concerned about your feeling when it comes to special and specific niches in the optical arena. Our yearly edit calendar is actually divided up by monthly niches (luxury, sport, value, men, kids, etc) in order to address a variety of complex scenarios facing you and you optical practice.

Nudge us on YOUR niche.

—James J. Spina, 20/20 Editor in chief