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Reflecting
On A Big Show
CamoVision
Snags NFL & MLB Deals with EyeXtras
February 27, 2007
One of the busiest booths in Las Vegas last November belonged to CamoVision of Georgia. The company makes EyeXtras—sunglasses that, quite literally, reflect the wearer’s team spirit. EyeXtras feature color printing directly on the lenses. Wearers get a clear view through their side of the sunglasses, while their fellow fans see team names, logos, and other images reflected back at them.
Thanks in part to its networking success at the Sports Licensing & Entertainment Marketplace, CamoVision of Georgia is now the exclusive distributor of logo eyewear for the NFL and Major League Baseball, in addition to the 100-plus colleges it covers. EyeXtras retail between $17.99 and $19.99 and are made domestically.
“The contacts and connections made at the show have turned out to be phenomenal,” says Managing Partner Bob Stover, who adds that the company has moved into several new markets in 2007. “We had a pretty good flurry in Las Vegas, and met directly with leagues we had never even talked to before.”
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Indeed, what a difference a year makes. At this time in 2006, the company has all of eight colleges represented in its line. Now, besides its baseball and football offerings, EyeXtras is at 120 colleges and counting, and doing brisk business in the outdoor market with its proprietary camouflage designs.
“Campus bookstores were a number-one customer when we started,” Stover recalls. “Today our fastest growth is in retail chains, ranging from drug stores to card stores to sporting goods stores. Next year who knows? We’re a very opportunistic company.”
According to Stover, the consumer appeal of EyeXtras is matched by the appealing opportunity it represents for a wide range of customer-hungry retailers. He mentions that they can expect excellent margins on a unique product but, more to the point, EyeXtras have the potential for driving new business to their stores—particularly from high schools, local businesses, weddings and family reunions. The company will custom-manufacture with minimums as low as 18 pieces, meaning that almost any team or special event can be commemorated with its own pair of EyeXtras.
