VSP Global Appoints Lead to Online Optical Initiative

RANCHO CORDOVA, Calif., Dec. 20, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- VSP Global(SM) appoints Dave Plevyak, Vice President of Business Development, to lead a new online optical initiative. Recognizing a growing shift in the eyewear purchasing behaviors of consumers, VSP Global launched an internal task force, which includes cross-divisional representation from each line of business, to explore solutions that best support private practice eyecare providers in the emerging online optical market.  Plevyak will be leading the task force as the internal working group moves into the next phase of its focus.

The task force has been working for the past several months and VSP anticipates announcing their recommendations in early 2011. The task force's efforts are guided by three key goals:

• Direct revenue lost to online purchases back into private practice.
• Capture patients inclined to shop online and bring them back to private practice.
• Reach new patients shopping online and refer them to private-practice offices.

"We believe it's important for VSP Global to help private practice eyecare providers compete aggressively in this growing marketplace and are focused on developing a solution that supports VSP providers," said board chairman, Timothy Jankowski, O.D., F.A.A.O. "To that end, we've been conducting online polls and collecting direct feedback from VSP doctors and office staff across the country to help determine the best response to the changing marketplace."

Online optical purchases continue to increase each year. 2009 numbers that illustrate this trend include:

• 300 percent increase from 2007 in online eyeglass purchases bringing the number sold to 1 million(1)
• 3.2 million non-prescription sunglasses purchased online(1)
• 5.5 million U.S. adults purchased contact lenses online(1)

"The reality is that consumers are turning online to purchase everything.  From small purchases such as household supplies to big ticket items like major household appliances and home theater sound systems, consumers can buy just about anything with a click of a mouse," Plevyak said. "Eyewear is no exception."

Plevyak has served in various roles within VSP for nearly two decades. In addition to working as an executive at Eyefinity®/OfficeMate®, he has also held management positions at VSP® Vision Care in underwriting, finance, marketing and corporate development.  As the leader of the VSP corporate development team, he played a pivotal role in the acquisition of nine companies including Marchon® Eyewear in 2008. His responsibilities have also included the management of eBusiness and business intelligence for VSP.  Plevyak received a Masters of Business Administration with an economics emphasis from Claremont Graduate School and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Santa Clara University.

(1) Source: Vision Council VisionWatch Internet Influence Report, 2007 and 2009

About VSP Global

VSP Global includes VSP Vision Care, the largest not-for-profit vision benefits and services company in the United States with 55 million members; Marchon Eyewear Inc., one of the world's largest manufacturers, designers and distributors of quality fashion and technologically-advanced eyewear and sunwear; Eyefinity/Officemate which offer innovative solutions and the premier management software and technology to improve overall practice management and patient experience; VSP Labs, industry leaders in new technologies, production processes, service and logistics.

Since 1997, VSP has provided more than 593,000 low-income, uninsured children with free eyecare. Through relationships including those with the American Diabetes Association and Prevent Blindness America, VSP promotes the importance of annual eye exams for maintaining eye health and overall wellness.

SOURCE VSP Global