Glimpses
CANADIAN SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS ANNOUNCED
Transitions Optical , Inc . and the Opticians Association of Canada ( OAC ) have announced the winners of the 2016 Students of Vision Scholarship program .
Melanie Chin , a second-year optometry student at the University of Waterloo , will be awarded a grand prize scholarship of $ 2,500 ; Gabriella Courey , a second-year optometry student at the Université de Montréal , will be awarded a scholarship of $ 1,500 ; and Laura Arrabi , a first-year opticianry student at NAIT , will be awarded a scholarship of $ 500 .
This fall , applicants were asked to develop a project in the form of an essay , presentation or video sharing how they will educate patients and research the best optical lens solutions to protect against harmful blue light and UV . Submissions were reviewed by a panel of judges and evaluated based on their demonstration of creativity , strategic thinking and ethics .
While many applicants displayed creativity and forward-thinking , Chin rose above the others with a comprehensive multimedia plan for blue light education . Additionally , Courey proposed in an essay several tactics of exceptional quality and Arrabi shared a notable overview for blue light awareness .
TRANSITIONS NAMES NEW VP , GLOBAL MARKETING
Transitions Optical has named Darragh O ’ Connor vice president , global marketing . He will be based in the Transitions Optical global brand headquarters in Dublin .
In this new role , O ’ Connor will direct the Transitions brand strategy and be responsible for all global marketing . He will lead the global marketing team to strengthen the Transitions brand as a leader in photochromics .
O ’ Connor ’ s role will encompass global consumer and trade communication , digital marketing , retail marketing , product marketing and innovation , professional education and market insights . As a member of the Transitions Optical operating committee he will be centrally involved in determining the company ’ s strategic direction .
He will work with the global research and development team to identify new products that meet the needs of customers and continue to grow the Transitions brand . O ’ Connor will also work with the marketing organizations of the company ’ s lenscaster customers to develop the adaptive lenses category and the Transitions brand .
O ’ Connor joins Transitions Optical from Google ’ s European headquarters in Dublin where , since 2014 , he was a senior digital sales manager ( branding division , large client sales ) for the UK and Ireland .
NEW VP AT THE VISION COUNCIL
The Vision Council has announced Mitch Barkley as the new vice-president of trade shows and meetings . Barkley joined The Vision Council as the liaison to the Eyewear and Accessories Division in January 2016 , and will continue to support the division in this capacity in his new role .
Barkley brings almost 30 years of optical industry experience to his new position at The Vision Council , previously serving as CEO of Mondottica USA as well as CEO of VIVA International .
The Vision Council says Barkley ’ s great understanding of the needs and perspectives of its member organizations will drive the future of the International Vision Expos as well as The Vision Council ’ s member shows and meetings .
“ After many years at the helm of organizations that rely on International Vision Expo as the must-attend industry event — not only for generating sales leads , but to build and increase brand awareness and network with buyers and business leaders — I ’ m very excited to join the team responsible for developing the programming and events that bring together the entire optical community ,” said Barkley .
44 Optical Prism | March 2017