why - rcs strategy · class wrist braces, hinged knee braces, patella femoral stabilizers, premium...

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Why ? In other words… What does iGO bring to CVS that justifies a change right now? The answer comes on two levels: 1. The orthopedic arena is changing. To maintain and accelerate growth in the DME category, pharmacies need to partner with a vendor who has the medical expertise and full category product line to capture the new retail opportunities represented in this changing market. 2. The time is right for a new, refreshing, engaging brand that creates a destination for consumers looking for help with their orthopedic bracing needs. Let's look at each of these. 1. Partner/Vendor The medical world is changing and it is time for pharmacies to partner with a vendor who has the medical expertise and full category product line to help them capture the new opportunities represented in this changing market. The pharmacy category for orthopedic bracing and supports is generally considered a commodity. While more advanced products in these categories are available through doctor’s offices, DME stores, O&P shops or online, the typical level of sophistication for orthopedic bracing and supports at the local pharmacy is extremely simple. This can change in the near future due to forces that are currently impacting the medical world. Insurance premiums and deductibles are rising, making it more expensive to get medical treatment. More and more people are going to get the help they need, without going to the ER or doctor's office. It just costs too much. As a

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Page 1: Why - RCS Strategy · class wrist braces, hinged knee braces, patella femoral stabilizers, premium knit knee supports, along with . next level ankle supports, shoulder slings and

Why ?

In other words…

What does iGO bring to CVS that justifies a change right now?

The answer comes on two levels:

1. The orthopedic arena is changing. To maintain and accelerate growth in the DME category, pharmacies need to partner with a vendor who has the medical expertise and full category product line to capture the new retail opportunities represented in this changing market.

2. The time is right for a new, refreshing, engaging brand that creates a destination for consumers looking for help with their orthopedic bracing needs.

Let's look at each of these.

1. Partner/Vendor

The medical world is changing and it is time for pharmacies to partner with a vendor who has the medical expertise and full category product line to help them capture the new opportunities represented in this changing market.

The pharmacy category for orthopedic bracing and supports is generally considered a commodity. While more advanced products in these categories are available through doctor’s offices, DME stores, O&P shops or online, the typical level of sophistication for orthopedic bracing and supports at the local pharmacy is extremely simple. This can change in the near future due to forces that are currently impacting the medical world.

Insurance premiums and deductibles are rising, making it more expensive to get medical treatment. More and more people are going to get the help they need, without going to the ER or doctor's office. It just costs too much. As a

Page 2: Why - RCS Strategy · class wrist braces, hinged knee braces, patella femoral stabilizers, premium knit knee supports, along with . next level ankle supports, shoulder slings and

result, consumers are looking to educate themselves, self–diagnose and set a path to wellness on their own.

Additionally, both public and private health insurance companies are reducing the allowable reimbursement they will pay for each product. In some cases, insurance companies are discontinuing reimbursement for entire product categories all together. This is giving rise to the "cash and carry" movement in the orthopedic bracing and supports market. All the leading orthopedic bracing and supports suppliers are developing the direct to patient model to provide their products through the doctor's office on a "cash and carry" basis. This trend is also de–incentivizing other doctors to inventory and dispense orthopedic bracing and supports from their offices and more patients will be looking for a convenient, reliable vendor for their bracing needs.

The net impacts of these two related trends are:

• More consumers are going to be looking to buy their own orthopedic bracing and supports; and • More consumers are going to be looking for a higher grade, more advanced offering of orthopedic

bracing and supports than is currently available at the local pharmacy.

United Ortho (UO) has a complete line of orthopedic bracing and supports, offering over 350 skews from the most basic products currently being offered in pharmacies, to the most sophisticated and innovative products available on the market today. This offering includes Wrist and Elbow Bracing, Knee Bracing, Ankle bracing, Shoulder Bracing, Cold Therapy, Mobility products, Spine Bracing and Foot/Toe products.

United Ortho is a 36–year–old privately held, vertically integrated medical supply company that designs, manufactures and distributes cutting–edge products for doctor’s offices, hospitals, and through OEM contracts with the likes of Medline and Hanger Orthopedic. The company is headquartered in Fort Wayne, Indiana, with three wholly owned subsidiaries: an ISO 13485 manufacturing plant in Bangladesh, a sourcing company in China, and a European distribution company in Switzerland.

We believe United Ortho is the right partner at the right time, with the medical expertise and full range of innovative and effective products to help you capture the emerging opportunities represented in changes currently impacting the medical market.

Page 3: Why - RCS Strategy · class wrist braces, hinged knee braces, patella femoral stabilizers, premium knit knee supports, along with . next level ankle supports, shoulder slings and

2. New and Exciting Brand

The time is right for a new, refreshing, engaging brand that creates a destination for consumers looking for help with their medical needs. How does the iGO brand work?

1. Attractive iGO logo

2. Quality Products

3. Expanded Product Line

4. Innovative Products

5. Educational Dr iGO

6. Helpful Dr. iGO App

7. Brilliant Packaging

8. Inspiring iGO guy

9. Helping Others

10. A Destination

1. Attractive iGO logo

All of the iGO products tastefully present the attractive iGO logo to elevate perception and create brand awareness and preference.

Page 4: Why - RCS Strategy · class wrist braces, hinged knee braces, patella femoral stabilizers, premium knit knee supports, along with . next level ankle supports, shoulder slings and

The competing brands are, for the most part, indistinguishable from each other, despite 25 years of holding this space. Show anyone on the street the Futuro logo and ask them if they know what products this company makes and, you'll find that no one knows.

iGO products, on the other hand, are clearly branded with the iGO logo. This very attractive and user–friendly logo, along with the 9 other potent elements of the iGO brand, hold the potential of moving the product category from a commodity, to a brand preference, to a destination in your retail outlet.

2. Quality Products

iGO has taken the product category to the next level, by using superior raw materials and presenting a more sophisticated level of orthopedic bracing and supports offering.

The centerpiece of the raw material improvement is found in the material called 7K. 7K is a foam laminate that, due to an innovative heat treatment lamination process, allows the material to provide the desirable compression support of neoprene, but breathes like foam. This innovative material allows iGO to bring a new, more effective and more comfortable product to the market.

Additionally, the material is currently treated with the standard antimicrobial treatment, but we are in pursuit of a newly developed nano technology based treatment.

This basic foundational material, when combined with our insane attention to detail and quality, raises the bar on this category.

3. Complete Product Line

In addition to our commitment to high quality materials and workmanship, we again raise the quality standard by bringing to the pharmacy market the most advanced orthopedic bracing and supports product line, which currently are almost exclusively dispensed by medical professionals. Our entire line of best of class wrist braces, hinged knee braces, patella femoral stabilizers, premium knit knee supports, along with

Page 5: Why - RCS Strategy · class wrist braces, hinged knee braces, patella femoral stabilizers, premium knit knee supports, along with . next level ankle supports, shoulder slings and

next level ankle supports, shoulder slings and cold therapy is ready to be introduced as the word gets out that you are now a destination for high quality, next level orthopedic bracing and supports.

4. Innovative Products

The UO product line has over 15 product patents pending with the US patent office, all filed in the last 18 months. A truly prolific run of innovation by any standard.

At the top of the orthopedic bracing and supports food chain are patents that have brought significant innovation to the ligament and osteoarthritis knee bracing lines. Currently, osteoarthritis bracing is a growth market, with no end in sight, as the baby boomers continue to age over the next 20 years and want to stay as active as they can.

The UO NoVel osteoarthritis brace incorporates the quick release buckle system and features the patent pending “NoVel Cinching System,” which allows the patient to doff and don the brace, without the use of the annoying and antiquated hook and loop systems still in use on 99% of all the other braces. The NoVel Cinching System allows the user to easily establish the desired strap tension and to make micro adjustments through the day as required.

Page 6: Why - RCS Strategy · class wrist braces, hinged knee braces, patella femoral stabilizers, premium knit knee supports, along with . next level ankle supports, shoulder slings and

While products of this level and price point may not “fit” the current pharmacy model today, we believe with the right presentation, in–store video instruction and the emerging retail health care center era breaking onto the scene, the opportunity to capture a piece of this market and the attendant reimbursement is just around the corner.

The Keo Brace

The lead product of innovation for the iGO brand is the Keo Brace. The Keo Brace is a new, patent–pending and effective treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome.

Over 650,000 people a month sit down at their computers and Google “carpal tunnel syndrome.” It’s estimated that six percent, or eighteen million, Americans are currently suffering from carpel tunnel syndrome. Carpel tunnel syndrome is ranked as the second most prevalent cause of chronic pain, second only to back pain.

While we are happy to offer the traditional “cock–up splint” and the host of other braces typically offered to patients suffering from carpel tunnel, we are most excited about the Keo Brace.

The Keo Brace is an innovative, patent pending treatment for carpel tunnel. There is no other brace on the market which treats carpal tunnel in the same fashion, or as effectively, as the Keo Brace. The Keo Brace opens the carpal tunnel to relieve pressure on the median nerve, thereby reducing the painful symptoms

Page 7: Why - RCS Strategy · class wrist braces, hinged knee braces, patella femoral stabilizers, premium knit knee supports, along with . next level ankle supports, shoulder slings and

associated with carpal tunnel. The Keo Brace also comes with an ergonomically shaped cold therapy treatment. This cold therapy treatment centers itself over the carpal tunnel and can provide a clinically accepted cold therapy session.

It is as amazingly simple as it is effective. One SKU covers the entire population (left hand, right hand, extra small to extra, extra, extra large). The Keo Brace can be worn during the day in normal activities and it can be worn comfortably at night while sleeping. Competitively priced at $25.95, the Keo Brace stands out with its many advantages.

A powerful Keo Brace educational in–store video has been created by UO, in keeping with our commitment to patient education, self–diagnosis and independent product selection. See keobrace.com.

5. Educational Dr. iGO

Powerful brands offer more than products. They also educate the consumer and are rewarded with great trust and loyalty. United Ortho is developing a world class, e–sportsmed platform, featuring Dr. iGO via in–store touch screen tablets. This provides the consumer point–of–decision information via powerful and compelling medical animation to help them better understand their injury and select the right product to help them get better.

Page 8: Why - RCS Strategy · class wrist braces, hinged knee braces, patella femoral stabilizers, premium knit knee supports, along with . next level ankle supports, shoulder slings and

6. Helpful Dr iGO App

The e–sportsmed platform also includes the Dr. iGO App, which includes two interactive elements. The first offers rehab protocols, which can be customized and used to remind and motivate the customer to stick with it. The second allows the consumer to gain instant messaging access to the Dr. iGO medical team of licensed physical therapists to gain more information about their injury, their rehab protocol and how their iGO product is designed to help them. We look forward to explaining how this e–sportsmed platform connects to local orthopedic practices and removes any concerns about legal issues related to giving medical advice.

7. Brilliant Packaging

iGO has developed an innovative, eye–popping patented clamshell package with no equal in the retail market.

Page 9: Why - RCS Strategy · class wrist braces, hinged knee braces, patella femoral stabilizers, premium knit knee supports, along with . next level ankle supports, shoulder slings and

Maximizes “Curb Appeal”…

The iGO clamshell has been designed to provide full–length frontal display with radial edges which allow the externally applied high–gloss label to present itself in stunning clarity and life–like appearance.

Always Hangs Level…

The iGO clamshell always hangs level on the retail peg, with the patent–pending, hanging tab added to the back of the box. The iGO clamshell does not tilt forward or backward, which allows the box to hang level at all times, further enhancing its appearance on the shelf. When all the iGO products are displayed together, this creates a section that is neat, tidy and inviting.

Grants Easy Access…

The iGO clamshell grants easy access to and return of the product to the package. Most consumers want to take the product out of the box, examine it and even try it on before purchasing.

The simple press–to–open feature, in conjunction with the living hinge at the bottom back of the box, allows the entire box to open up. This makes the process of examining the product much easier and faster than the traditional cardboard box.

Page 10: Why - RCS Strategy · class wrist braces, hinged knee braces, patella femoral stabilizers, premium knit knee supports, along with . next level ankle supports, shoulder slings and

Never Tears or Dog–Ears…

The iGO clamshell will never tear, dog ear, wrinkle or crease. It is made of durable, recyclable, polypropylene, which renders it nearly indestructible. A living hinge at the bottom edge of the union between the front and the back door of the package is extremely durable and will withstand the most rigorous of uses by the consumer, both in the product purchasing decision process, as well as for years to come in their home.

Stands Tall or Stacks Vertically…

For standing alone, the iGO clamshell has been designed with a flat stable bottom to ensure it stands tall on the storage room shelf or countertop display.

Page 11: Why - RCS Strategy · class wrist braces, hinged knee braces, patella femoral stabilizers, premium knit knee supports, along with . next level ankle supports, shoulder slings and

For stacking vertically, the iGO package has been designed with interfacing convex and concave surfaces to allow a mating interface for securely stacking one on top of the other when packing, shipping or holding in inventory in the storage room.

8. The Inspiring “iGO Guy”

Great brands have a way creating personalities that come to symbolize the brand and make it instantly recognizable. In the spirit of Aflac’s Duck, GEICO’s Gecko, and Progressive’s Flo, we offer you the “iGO neverstop Guy”!

Page 12: Why - RCS Strategy · class wrist braces, hinged knee braces, patella femoral stabilizers, premium knit knee supports, along with . next level ankle supports, shoulder slings and

The iGO guy, who springs to life out of the iGO logo, embodies the iGO slogan…neverstop. He will be the bumper on all our videos and as we find him in one “try, try again” episode after another, he will soon become our endearing, inspiring, fellow struggler on the journey to live life to the fullest. Think PIXAR for simplicity and engaging; think “The Little Engine That Could” for the heart.

The iGO Guy will lift people’s spirits by reminding them to neverstop living their lives to the fullest and will in the process, elevate the brand to a special place in their hearts.

9. Helping Others

It’s estimated that nearly seven million amputees worldwide are in need of a prosthesis, with approximately 80% of those living in low income countries. iGO and her parent company, United Ortho, have been building and providing prosthetic knee joints, at cost, to Limbs International, since 2011. iGO is committed to restoring mobility to millions of amputees around the world.

10. Destination iGO

Finally, we reach our destination. We have made iGO, and therefore your store, a destination for people looking for help with their orthopedic bracing and supports needs. Your consumers will be welcomed to a place they can find in few other places on the planet. A place where they can learn about the pain that ails them, be guided to the right products and rehab practices and be inspired to start the journey back to life at it fullest.

The iGO section of your store or retail clinic will present itself to your customers as THE place to go for wrist braces, knee braces, back braces, ankle braces, arm slings, cold therapy and more. The kiosk–like look and feel will present the brand in full… the attractive iGO logo, an ever expanding depth and variety of innovative products, a Dr. iGo touch screen monitor to educate and assist them in product selection and

Page 13: Why - RCS Strategy · class wrist braces, hinged knee braces, patella femoral stabilizers, premium knit knee supports, along with . next level ankle supports, shoulder slings and

application, a Dr. iGO App that allows them to go deeper and stay connected to their PT, brilliant eye–popping iGO packaging– all brought to life by the inspiring iGO Guy who just neverstops!