The Multi-Platform Campaign Includes a Curated Imagination Gallery Celebrating Original Photography and the First User-Generated Photo Contest in History to Inspire a Hollywood Film

NEW YORK, N.Y., May 23 -- Canon U.S.A. Inc., a leader in digital imaging, has launched a new multi-dimensional marketing campaign, "Long Live Imagination," which centers on a unique collaboration with one of Hollywood's most influential directors, Ron Howard.

On May 22, Howard and Canon U.S.A. invited photographers of all levels to submit their most imaginative photographs based on a series of movie themes for "Project Imagin8ion," the first user-generated photo contest in history to ultimately inspire a Hollywood short film. The "Long Live Imagination" site, designed as an interactive and engaging community for Canon users and photography enthusiasts, launched on May 22 at http://www.youtube.com/imagination. The contest and this site will foster dialogue amongst the community and directly with Canon, inspiring everyone to new levels of creativity.

"I'm known as a narrative storyteller, so when Canon approached me to partner on the 'Long Live Imagination' campaign, I was moved by the opportunity to collaborate with the masses, tapping into consumers' creativity and using their photos as building blocks to produce a film," said Howard. "I hope the project stimulates people's imaginations whether they are an amateur photographer, a world traveler or a proud parent and I hope what we create is meaningful."

"This project embodies everything the Canon brand represents in innovation, technology and the arts," said Yuichi Ishizuka, executive vice president and general manager, Imaging Technology and Communications Group, Canon U.S.A., "Launching a user-generated photo contest to inspire a film would not be possible without a visionary filmmaker to conceptualize and oversee it all. Ron Howard was the perfect choice, someone who constantly inspires moviegoers and turns the unbelievable into reality."

A visually stunning television commercial that takes place within Howard's mind's eye will begin airing May 23. The spot will promote the "Project Imagin8ion" contest and online community. Consumers can visit http://www.youtube.com/imagination from May 22 through June 14 and submit photos to inspire eight movie themes: Setting, Time, Character, Mood, Relationship, Goal, Obstacle and the Unknown. Throughout the promotion, Ron Howard, with the help of Canon experts and the Project Imagin8ion community, will narrow down the submissions and select eight photos -- one from each category. These eight winning photos will become the basis and inspiration for a short film shot with Canon dSLR products that will premiere later this year in New York City with the winners in town for a red carpet event where they will have the opportunity to meet Ron Howard.

As part of the overall "Long Live Imagination" campaign, Canon will be curating the most inspiring photography out there, championing the imagination of the masses while demonstrating the infinite possibilities of Canon digital imaging. The customized Long Live Imagination brand channel on YouTube will serve as a meeting place and sharing community for Canon users and photography enthusiasts alike throughout 2011. The Imagination Gallery will be linked to other social media platforms including Flickr, Facebook and Twitter, so that users can easily share their photos, pose questions to the community and participate in real-time discussions. Though the gallery will launch as the home of Canon's "Project Imagin8ion" initiative, the community page will live-on and continue to grow.

Grey New York, Canon's agency partner for over thirty years, is developing the creative and digital elements of the multi-phase campaign. Alliance, the entertainment and lifestyle marketing division of gray, is managing the partnership with Ron Howard and executing the consumer promotion, film premiere event and public relations efforts.