The “secret” behind Spy’s new Happy Lens mood enhancing technology reportedly has something to do with “long-wave blue light.” The idea is that blue light affects our bodies and can increase alertness and elevate the mood. (If you want to read one of the studies Spectral Quality of Light Modulates Emotional Brain Responses in Humans published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of Americaclick the link).
Whether we believe it or not, Spy CEO Michael Marckx is, not surprisingly, backing the technology pretty hard.
“This is the most exciting product innovation we’ve ever created,” Marckx said. “Our Happy Lens™ applies advanced technology to the eyewear world and strikes a powerful balance in sunglasses—one that can be seen and felt, enhancing experience in manifold and novel ways. It’s the single most important product breakthrough I have ever worked on.”
The new Happy Lenses will officially debut in the Spy’s 2013 line in styles like the Crosstown Collection, Fade to Black, and the high performance cycling glasses. We’re currently testing the Happy Lens in the new Discord frame (pictured above). We’ll let you know if we notice anything “happy” about them. For the official word from Spy, follow the jump. [click to continue…]
Spy Inc. is happy to report that in the quarter ended September 30, 2012 they only lost $1.8 million on total net sales of $9.9 million. The loss is down from $3 million in the same quarter in 2011. Couple that with net sales being up eight percent, and an increased borrowing capacity from Costa Brava Partnership III, L.P. and it appears things are continuing toward profitability. And that’s always good
“With strong SPY® brand sales growth of 17% for 3rd quarter of 2012 over 2011, building on the huge SPY® brand growth rate of 25% for the 3rd quarter of 2011 over 2010, we are happy to have achieved our 6th consecutive quarter of year over year growth of SPY® brand products. We feel this once again demonstrates the strength of our renewed brand positioning and exciting new product collection,” said Michael Marckx, President and CEO. “We are especially pleased that we were able to grow our North American snow goggle and sunglass businesses because of such a poor snow season last year that we believe caused many of our retailers to have relatively high inventory levels going into this 2012 fall snow goggle buying season.”
Spy’s short-lived cunalingus billboard featured high above Highway 101 in Encinitas, California is getting press worldwide for having been pulled down after only one day, according to a story in the UK’s Daily Mail Online.
The signage was meant to be a tongue in cheek promotion of SPY Optic’s new line of ‘Happy’ lenses, which purportedly lift one’s spirits with their special design. . . ‘We are a happy brand,’ Spy Marketing Director Devon Howard said to MailOnline. ‘It’s what makes us happy-being on people’s faces.’ . . Thousands of San Diego drivers sped past the sign yesterday, the only day it was displayed, and it appears their complaints swayed the owner of the advertising space to quickly rip it out of sight – but not out of mind.
Apparently, the billboard maybe too many motorists squirm. Hopefully, Spy will get the critics licked and put something back in there real soon. For the official word on the Happy Lens, which is what this whole campaign is really about, follow the jump. [click to continue…]
Spy announced today (August 29, 2012) that they have signed legendary skateboarder and musician Ray Barbee as an ambassador for their Crosstown Collection of handmade acetate sunglasses.
“Very few people possess a truly infectious persona like Ray, and I really appreciate his point of view on life,” says SPY President and CEO Michael Marckx. “Ray’s parts in the Powell Peralta videos, Public Domain and Ban This, allow him to easily carry the weight of the title icon, but it’s his open and innovative approach to everything he does that makes him a standout, whether its behind his camera, in front of his Fender or on his board. Beyond his skate style, I happen to be a really big fan of his music, which makes this such a fun connection for me, and SPY.”
Spy just launched a collection of “vintage inspired” sunglasses titled the Crosstown Collection. They’re describing them as “stylish, handmade sunglasses inspired by ’50s and ‘60s fashion, music.”
“We worked with a small crew of athletes and fashion-forward advocates with the intent of reinventing ‘classiness’ with our own point of view,” says Michael Marckx, SPY President. “We cut our design team loose to represent what’s happening within the creative ranks of our universe, to make something that they completely groove on, which led to a really unique handmade approach that you can feel and certainly see in the line.”
Custom-color arm variations in the Signature Series—which can be snapped-on and–off and mixed-and-matched—are further punctuated with asymmetrical tip colors on the left temple, inspired by Block’s mismatched wheel color and single-spoke accents on his 650-horsepower, 2.0-liter H.F.H.V.
We guess they’re like they’re like rally cars for your face. Follow the jump for the official word. [click to continue…]
Spy Optic president Michael Marckx continues on his march to reposition the company in a more forward facing directly. Yesterday afternoon he announced the hiring of from Patagonia Surf Shop instigator Devon Howard as marketing director for the company.
“Devon has deep California lifestyle roots, operational know-how, marketing savvy and meaningful relationships in our industry, which he has nurtured over his career,” says Marckx. “He is also really well liked and connected on so many levels, and not just in the surf world, but across the subcultures that make up our west coast lifestyle. I’ve seen Devon do great work on every level, smartly, with other good people. His unique blend of talents will unquestionably enhance our brand in myriad ways and help give shape to the new version of SPY he will help create with us.
In financials released today (November 14, 2011) Spy Optic has announced that net sales in the quarter ended September 30, 2011 were up 33 percent to $9.2 million, however, the company still lost $3 million on the quarter compared to $900,000 in the same three months in 2010.
“We are very pleased with the growth that we generated this quarter, particularly in our core SPY® products which had nice growth in both goggles and sunglasses, in North America and internationally. This is especially encouraging following the significant decline the Company had in the first quarter of the year,” said Orange 21 President Michael Marckx. “Our new team’s focus on the marketing, product development and sales programs to leverage the core SPY® brand appears to be gaining traction on many fronts.”
Increased sales would suggest that things are definitely moving in the right direction, however profitability would likely be even better. Follow the jump for the official details. [click to continue…]
It was only a month ago that Michael Marckx left his position as VP of global marketing at Globe to become VP of marketing at Spy Optic. It appears he’s been chewing up the scenery at the Carlsbad-based company.
Today, the company announced that Marckx has been promoted to president and that CEO Stone Douglass is “stepping down.” Orange 21 board chairman Seth Hamot says this is a turning point for a company (that has had its share over the last decade).
“Today marks an important milestone for Orange 21 and SPY: We have a new management team dedicated to growing our firm through enhancing our brands,” says Seth Hamot, Orange 21 chairman of the board. “Our new CEO, Carol Montgomery, previously helped grow Revo from a small sunglass brand to a much larger firm. Similarly, Michael Marckx was instrumental in resurrecting the Ocean Pacific (Op) brand, and recently has run divisions for Globe International, the action sports lifestyle brand and world’s largest manufacturer of skateboards. Finally, the inclusion of Michael Angel to our senior executive ranks will help us build a stronger company on a solid foundation.
Nice 30 day plan, Marckxy. What’s on the schedule for next month? [click to continue…]
Globe’s VP of Global Marketing Michael Marckx has announced he will be leaving the Australian based surf and skate brand after six years and take a new position at Spy Optic in Carlsbad, California, according to an internal memo.
This was not an easy decision for me, especially considering how close we have all become and how much we have been able to accomplish as a tight-knit team over the recent years,” Marckx said to Globe employees. ” I am really proud of our team and will greatly miss each of you.”
Spy Optic is expected to announce tomorrow (February 22, 2011) that Marckx has been named VP of marketing for the eyewear brand. Marckx will remain at Globe through the first week of March 2011.
