New Warby Parker Campaign Promotes Writing and Eyewear

Warby Parker has taken another innovative marketing step. It has teamed up with the educational group 826 National to launch a line of eyewear called Kidd. “The Kidd eyeglasses come in regular and sunglasses model, with a horn rimmed look reminiscent of Grouch Marx,” according to the PSFK Labs website. “Customers can buy prescription sunglasses or regular, in single-vision and bifocal options. To support the Kidd project, Warby Parker has sponsored a print run of two books: Super Awesome Stickman Dude and 826 NYC Review…Proceeds from the glasses and the books go directly to 826 to help them fund their literacy and creativity efforts.” 826 celebrates expository and creative writing in school-aged children. It supports teaching, tutoring, and publishing for students and teachers. The organization has chapters in New York, Massachusetts, Michigan, Chicago, California, Washington and Washington D.C. It intends to open new chapters. Read more.

Warby Parker Donates One Million Eyeglasses

"On Wednesday, Warby Parker announced a milestone involving another good thing it does," reports Wired. "For every pair of glasses sold, the company donates another pair to VisionSpring, a charity that trains people in low-income communities around the world to conduct eye exams and set up businesses selling glasses for a few bucks a piece. Warby says that, as of now, it has donated one million pairs of glasses." Read more.

Warby Parker Takes Advantage of Industry’s Weakness

Despite a high level of product differentiation and large number of players, the competition within the retail eyewear market in the US is not forcing prices down. The near- monopoly situation in the production and distribution of eyewear results in high mark-ups, according to a press release from the creators of a report about the online eyewear company, Fast Market Research. Warby Parker company saw the existing situation as a business opportunity and aims to create a beneficial alternative to the overpriced designer glasses. The company keeps its costs low and sells directly to consumers. Warby Parker has been exceeding its sales targets. Its existing customer base is one of the largest drivers of its growth. To see an overview of the report, follow this link.

Rowley to Compete Head-On with Warby Parker

“Warby Parker carved out a new segment in the eyewear market three years ago, offering stylish, prescription lenses for just $95 per pair. Others have since joined the competition, including Cynthia Rowley, who is debuting a line of lower-priced eyewear online for women and another for men on Monday.” That’s the post on Mashable. “Non-prescription glasses and sunglasses cost $99 per pair; optical lenses cost $129 per pair. Thirty styles debut online at RowleyEyewear.com on Monday.” Read more.

Warby Parker’s Brick & Mortar Store

“Cult eyewear favorite Warby Parker's new SoHo flagship store is truly a sight for sore eyes,” notes AM New York. “The brand, known for its quirky, vintage-inspired eyewear and its philanthropic side -- for every pair of glasses sold, the company donates a new pair to those who can't afford glasses on their own -- has experimented with Big Apple pop-ups in the past and sells some frames out if its quaint Lafayette Street showroom, but this is its first retail outpost. The chic boutique's design was inspired by the New York Public Library, with reading lamps, lounge chairs and books spread throughout the store -- paying homage to the founders' passion for literature. Eyewear is displayed along sleek white shelves, which also house colorful stacks of classic novels. Some books in the shop are also for sale.” Read more.

Warby Parker Comes Out with "Fun" Annual Report

"Hey, want to read an eyewear store's annual report? Actually, yes, you do. Warby Parker, an e-commerce hub for hipster glasses and tortoise-shell monocles, has released its 2011 annual report as a light-hearted, interactive and addictive infographic, featuring everything from call volume and site traffic to Instagram mentions and employee commute times," according to an AdWeek post. Marketers will find it to be a treasure trove of data and clever ideas, while normal humans will just be fascinated by the random facts about our nation's eyesight. Did you know Maryland has the worst vision, and Vermont the best?" Read more in Ad Week.