GUELPH, ONTARIO, Canada —VuePoint IDS Inc., Canada’s leading print and digital eyecare publisher, and Jobson Medical Information LLC., have formed a comprehensive multi-year strategic partnership, effective immediately.

The partnership facilitates the Canadian expansion of Jobson’s well known media titles, including 20/20, Vision Monday, VMail and Review of Optometry in collaboration with VuePoint’s recently acquired print and digital publications, including OPT!K, Canada’s fully bilingual B2B eyecare publication.

Under the terms of the reciprocal and exclusive arrangement, Jobson is the representative of VuePoint in the U.S. market, and VuePoint represents Jobson media titles and services in the Canadian market. In addition to the development of co-branded digital and print publications, the companies will cooperate on a range of services to eyecare stakeholders including marketing research, continuing education, interactive services and custom program development.

“We are thrilled to be working with VuePoint IDS and David Pietrobon to extend the reach of our content and brands into the increasingly important Canadian market. VuePoint’s acquisition of M2L’s optical media properties provides it with a solid base of leading information brands, which it can build upon and enhance through its relationship with Jobson,” Marc Ferrara, CEO, Information Services Group, Jobson Medical Information, stated. “In addition, David’s extensive years of experience as both an ophthalmic industry executive and a media entrepreneur provides him with a unique and valuable framework which will allow VuePoint to meet the Canadian market’s evolving informational needs.”

David Pietrobon, president, VuePoint IDS, added, “Partnering with Jobson provides us with access to tremendous world-class resources and capabilities. Combined with VuePoint’s Canadian perspective and market-leading access, the arrangement uniquely positions us to provide relevant and essential information to Canadian ECPs and effective communications solutions to all vision care stakeholders.”

M2L Inc. and VuePoint IDS Inc. announced earlier this week that they have reached an agreement in which VuePoint IDS Inc. has acquired M2L’s optical media properties including Opt!k magazine, Capsule DotClip e-Newsletter, InfoClip.ca Web Portal, iCan targeted e-mail/fax service and eyewear consumer magazine Tmag. Opt!k reaches over 13,000 Canadian eyecare professionals and the digital media titles reach over 7,000 eyecare professionals (ECPs). M2L Inc. will continue to provide its marketing services to eyecare professionals and industry suppliers and expand the MicoTV digital signage service.

The transaction is effective immediately. There will be a transition period in which the M2L executive team, Danielle St-Jean and Marc M. Lavoie, and staff will fully support VuePoint in the continuation of media activities to provide stakeholders with the same reliable and high quality service for which M2L is known.

The editorial team established by M2L will continue to provide work for VuePoint IDS Inc. Additional resources will be added to the team as VuePoint diversifies the content and provides additional products and services. "I am sure that, with its expertise and resources, Vuepoint is well-equipped to address the evolving needs of the Canadian industry in an increasingly digital and multi-platform environment," said the president and CEO of M2L Inc., Marc M. Lavoie.

VuePoint IDS Inc. is a new company founded by Pietrobon, who was previously president and general manager of the Canadian divisions of leading multi-national corporations in the ophthalmic lenses, contact lens, and ophthalmic pharmaceutical industries, including Hoya Vision Care and CIBA Vision. He has also founded several innovative information technology companies based on partnerships with professional associations in the eyecare industry, including Optometry.net and Vision Alliance Network. He was also a co-founder of EyeCarePro.net.

“M2L Media, through Marc and Danielle’s dedication, have done a great job in creating a truly national platform of excellent media services for the eyecare industry. The Canadian vision care market is an exciting space rich with opportunities. VuePoint looks forward to engaging with the community, bringing insight and energy,” he said. Further details are posted in English and in French on the company’s site.