PALM DESERT, Calif.—Essilor of America announced several key initiatives at its national sales meeting, including plans to celebrate the 50th anniversary of its flagship Varilux brand. At the meeting, held here Jan. 5 to 9, nearly 700 sales representatives, laboratory personnel and executives from independent distributor labs also learned about new anti-reflective, polarized and progressive lenses that Essilor is introducing this year.

Essilor will kick off the Varilux anniversary celebration at International Vision Expo East in March with the release of a short, 3D movie, “The Varilux Experience.” Meeting attendees previewed the movie, which will also be screened at the American Optometric Association’s annual meeting in June and at International Vision Expo West in October. In April, Essilor will launch a Varilux roadshow consisting of special exhibits that will tour 10 to 12 major U.S. markets. A special Varilux anniversary logo will also be used throughout 2009 for events surrounding the Varilux anniversary.

Also, among its announcements at the meeting, the company said it has appointed Colin St. Clair as vice president of brand sales.

Before joining Essilor, St. Clair served as vice president of business development at Pepsico, where he held a number of positions for mroe than 21 years. In this role, he led the acquisition of new businesses, and the management of existing business for national, quick service restaurants, casual dining and retail channels. St. Clair has also been a successful entrepreneur, owning and operating two small businesses in the Dallas area.

"Colin's sales expertise and insight will be a valuable asset at Essilor," said Howard Purcell, OD, vice president of customer development, Essilor of America. "As the leader of brand sales under the Customer Development Group, he will help to propel our brands forward to best serve eyecare professionals."