Canon returns to TV advertising after nearly a decade

Back in early September, Canon launched its latest campaign titled “Harmony at Work,” with a diversified marketing strategy that put messaging across social media, influencer marketing, streaming services as well as custom television integrations.

For the 70-year-old brand, television advertising isn’t entirely new, but it has been an underutilized channel, Price said. It’s unclear how much Canon dedicated to its new marketing efforts as Price declined to offer further details around ad spend. This year, Canon’s marketing dollars are spread across social media, influencer marketing and digital video ads. At the same time, Canon is testing custom product integrations in television and other activations.

So far this year, Canon has spent about $6.6 million on advertising, up from $5.2 million spent last year, according to Pathmatics. Kantar reports Canon spent just under $5,000 on media this year, significantly more than the $1,680 spent in 2021. (Kantar figures do not include social spend as Pathmatics figures do.)

“At the beginning of this year, we knew that we really needed to elevate the brand in a fresh way,” Price said when asked about using video to boost product awareness. 

TV ad spend in the U.S. may have hit its peak this year at $68.35 billion, up from $65.66 billion in 2021. It’s not expected to surpass $68 billion again for the next four years, according to research from eMarketer. Still, there’s value in television advertising, said Steve Wendling, group director of media at MMI Agency.

“While viewership of traditional TV is in decline, advertising in this medium can still build brand awareness, consideration and familiarity among a large audience by leveraging the power of sight, sound and motion,” Wendling said in an email to Digiday. 

Television boasts a broad reach and allows for more storytelling, Wendling said. “Done right, traditional TV spots can quickly become part of popular culture, leading consumers to dig deeper online to find out more information,” he added.

Price says he’s optimistic about the company’s changes to its marketing mix with plans to continue to invest in video advertising. He did not offer further details on said investment. 

“Our plan is for this to have a longer lasting impact and have a richer media mix. The changes that we’re seeing in the market are not going to go away,” he said referring to shifts in how people consume media.