Canon launches professional center at Chennai

Company Brief

New Delhi, March 18, 2008

Canon India Pvt. Limited, one of the leading Complete Digital Imaging Company announced the launch of Canon Professional Center at Chennai. Canon has tied up with a leading photography training institute "Ambitions 4 Photography" in Chennai to provide training facilities for 2 hours every first and third Saturday to the Digital Compact Camera Customers and for 4 hours every second Saturday, to the Canon Edge members purchasing Canon DSLR Cameras respectively. Canon along with Ambitions 4 Photography will conduct specialized photography workshop in this part of the country. Canon Pro Centre is a Canon venture to give back to the photographic society, by encouraging photography training for enthusiast & professionals at top photography institutes.

This novel tie up between Canon and Ambitions 4 photography will train students both in basic as well as advanced professional still photography and will be supported by none other than the globally acclaimed photographer and powerful mentor, KL Raja Ponsing, who with his wealth of experience in commercial photography will impart knowledge to the students. This will be the third Professional Center set up by Canon in India.

Commenting on the launch Mr. Alok Bharadwaj, Senior Vice, President, Canon, India said "Launch of Canon Professional Center is a novel concept to promote the interest of photography among young students. Over the years, Canon has realized the need for infrastructure and guidance in the field of photography to augment the growth of amateur photographers. The launch of Canon Professional Center is a significant step and Canon's conscious attempt to help the young photographers in understanding the concept of basic photography".

The launch of Canon Professional Center is an extension of consistent and innovative efforts which Canon undertakes by introducing new opportunities that provide value to customers and dealers. Canon has already tied up with "The Shari Academy of Professional Photography & Digital Imaging" in Mumbai and "The School of Convergence" in Delhi which provide training to the photography enthusiast & professionals. As a part of the DSLR Consumer Loyalty Program "Canon Edge", the company offer Digital Photography Training to the esteemed customers. This program which was started in June 07, has trained about 200 people at these institutes. Moving forward, Canon will look at more such strategic tie ups with premium & like minded institutes to take the Photographic learning to New Standards.

In India D-SLR market is growing at 30% per year and Canon grew 35% in 2007 to achieve a market share of 52% in this segment. The legitimate market size for 2008 is estimated to be 11,000 units. The strategy for growth in this segment for 2008 would be increased focus on lens and accessories business as this is a big opportunity area. Globally, Canon business of lens and accessories is equal to the business of equipments. In India, this ratio is 30% and therefore offers us a huge opportunity. One of our goals for D-SLR business is to raise this to 100% in 2 years.

For further information, please contact:

20:20 MEDIA

Charu Sharma

Mob: +09999034191

e-mail: charu@2020india.com