RODENSTOCK AND CARL ZEISS VISION ENTER CROSS-LICENSE AGREEMENT
Carl Zeiss Vision and Rodenstock announced they have entered into a cross-license agreement for patents covering certain ophthalmic lens technologies, including Carl Zeiss Vision’s back-surface, free-form progressive lens technology. This agreement will allow Carl Zeiss Vision and Rodenstock to accelerate the delivery of advanced ophthalmic lens products and related technology to markets throughout the world, the companies say.

The Rodenstock agreement is the latest in a series of license agreements between Carl Zeiss Vision and major lens designers, manufacturers, laboratories and optical retailers, including Hoya Vision Care, Essilor, Vision-Ease Lens and Indizen Optical Technologies.

MIDLAND OPTICAL LAB NAMES KIM CLYNES SALES AND MARKETING VP
Midland Optical, the St. Louis, Mo.-based wholesale optical lab and Essilor partner lab, has named Kim Clynes vice president of sales and marketing. Prior to joining Midland, Clynes worked in sales management positions with large nationwide companies including Pohlman USA, Bernard Hodes Group, Jobs2Web, Price Waterhouse Coopers and Ernst & Young. Midland Optical has a team of seven sales representatives, primarily covering Missouri, Illinois, Wisconsin and Colorado. Clynes will oversee these representatives and all other aspects of the sales and marketing functions.

“We are delighted to have such a strong player join our team,” says Matt Iovaldi, president of Midland Optical. “Kim is a proven leader, having trained and mentored many top sales performers. She is goal-oriented and has all the qualities that will make her successful with Midland Optical. We look forward to the new successes she will bring to Midland in the near future.”

ESSILOR LAUNCHES ONLINE NEWSROOM
Essilor of America has launched an online newsroom that provides news and information about eye health and the eyecare industry.

“More than ever before, consumers are turning to the Web for health information and product news; it’s imperative that we give them—and ECPs and the media—access to accurate information about relevant eye health news, industry innovations and Essilor brands,” says Theresa Agnew, senior vice president of marketing, Essilor of America. “Our new platform will essentially serve as a revolving door for information, showcasing third party news and articles about eye health as well as our own sharable content via videos, blog posts, images and more.”

The newsroom is a first of its kind in the industry and features thought leadership and consumer-friendly stories ranging from the latest in eyewear innovation, tips for UV protection and the difference between farsightedness and presbyopia.

The newsroom is also powered by a social platform to drive engagement and sharing. Visitors to the site will be able to share content easily through their own social sites.   

—Andrew Karp