LCA Vision Picks Empower

Cincinnati-based laser eye surgery specialist LCA Vision has awarded independent shop Empower MediaMarketing its media business after a review, the client has confirmed.

The assignment includes planning and buying duties for both traditional and digital media as well digital creative chores.

The client, which operates 62 vision centers nationwide, confirmed spending $30 million-plus on ads in 2009.

The incumbents were Razorfish (digital) and Horizon Media (traditional ads). It was not immediately clear if either participated in the review.

“We chose Empower because of their understanding of our business and their ability to integrate all media channels down to the local level,” says Bharat Kakar, vice president of marketing at LCA Vision. “With the assistance of Empower, we expect to continue to grow our business at our 62 existing vision centers across the U.S.”

Empower president Jim Price said the client “understands the benefit of talking with consumers using an integrated mix of media and marketing services. To do this, it is critical that brands see digital as a thread through all media channels as opposed to its own media channel.”

LCA Vision markets its eye-care services under the LasikPlus brand in facilities that operate in 29 states.

In January, Empower, also based in Cincinnati, added the media assignment for vacuum cleaner marketer Hoover.