Tuesday March 21, 2006

          The Atlanta Silverbacks today announced a partnership for 2006 with CIBA Vision, a global leader in research, development and manufacturing of contact lenses and lens care products. Headquartered in Atlanta, CIBA Vision provides solutions fitting the lifestyles, preferences and needs of people in 70 countries around the world.
          This new partnership makes Focus ® DAILIES ®, CIBA Vision’s daily disposable contact lens, the official contact lens of the Atlanta Silverbacks. The Focus DAILIES logo will appear on the official team shorts of the Atlanta Silverbacks USL First Division men’s professional team, and Focus DAILIES and the Silverbacks will partner on many programs throughout 2006. CIBA Vision’s partnership with the Atlanta Silverbacks creates an exciting new opportunity for Focus® DAILIES® to support the Atlanta sports community.
          This partnership makes sense because CIBA Vision’s Focus® DAILIES® with AquaRelease are ideal for teens who are active in sports whose glasses just seem to get in the way of their busy lifestyle.   Focus DAILIES are great for first-time and part-time lens wearers as well as individuals with seasonal ocular allergies.  Patients can wear a fresh, clean pair of lenses every single day, and the lenses release moisture with every blink.  Since they are replaced daily, less handling is required and there is no need for daily lens care.
         
          Karen Gough, President of North America, CIBA Vision, says, “We are thrilled to partner with the Atlanta Silverbacks.  We recognize the great synergy between the Silverbacks and our Focus DAILIES lenses, which are ideal for people active in sports.  This is also a great opportunity for Focus DAILIES to support Atlanta’s sports community.  We look forward to a great year.”
         
          The Atlanta Silverbacks organization continues to build soccer within the Atlanta community. The partnership with CIBA Vision is reflective of the Silverbacks' increasing presence in the Atlanta community among fans, players and businesses.  Stephen Pratten, President and CEO of the Atlanta Silverbacks, commented on the CIBA Vision partnership, “We’re very excited to have CIBA Vision become a marketing partner. It’s pleasing to see Atlanta-based companies recognize the opportunities we provide. We will work hard to ensure this new partnership is a success for both CIBA Vision and the Atlanta Silverbacks.”