Canon Named Number One Brand in Brandweeks Office Copier Category For the Sixth Consecutive Year

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., June 13, 2006 Canon U.S.A., Inc., the nations market share brand leader in black-and-white and color laser copier/printer solutionsi, has been named number one in brand loyalty in Brandweeks 2006 Customer Loyalty Survey in the Office Copier industry category for the sixth consecutive year.  The survey is sponsored by Brandweek Magazine and Brand Keys, Inc.ii

The Brand Keys survey marks the tenth annual assessment of consumer purchasing behavior, evaluating brands within industry segments to gauge which consumer values are driving future purchases and loyalty in the category. The survey is designed to predict future purchasing behavior as opposed to merely reflecting previous purchases. 

Over the past six years, Canon has been at the top of our lists for customer loyalty in the Copier category, said Robert Passikoff, president, Brand Keys.  In fact, beyond winning this years gold award in this category, the Canon brand improved upon its survey scores from last year. 

This award underscores Canons commitment to delivering quality, reliable and easy-to-use devices, solutions and technologies that address and solve real world document imaging needs and challenges, said Tod Pike, senior vice president, Imaging Systems Group, Canon U.S.A.  Our dedication to both customer retention and delivering technology innovation is reflected in our long-standing market leadership position in the document imaging market.

According to Gartner Dataquest, Canon has been the overall market brand leader in the U.S. copier market for the past 19 consecutive years and the overall number one brand leader in the black-and-white copier market for 23 out of the last 24 years. 

To further build customer loyalty, Canon U.S.A.s Imaging Systems Group Customer Loyalty Program represents the office solution provider's largest end-customer direct communications program. Relying upon a database of customers from various sources, including dealer-supplied customer lists, the program applies customer profile information to deliver targeted direct mail and email communications, based on their history and needs.  

Communications are co-branded and customized to feature the Canon brand alongside dealer names, logos and contact information. The program offers targeted information detailing solutions and services designed to maximize the efficiency of both existing and new Canon solutions. Canon's Customer Loyalty Program also emphasizes customer satisfaction measurement and results reporting. 

About the 2006 Brandweek Customer Loyalty Awards powered by Brand Keys
Each year, the Brandweek Customer Loyalty Awards powered by Brand Keys evaluates brands within industry segments and assesses why customers continue to buy particular products and services. To compile the 2006 Customer Loyalty Awards list, Brand Keys, a New York-based brand and customer loyalty research consultancy, selected 10,200 consumers, 18 to 60 years of age, drawn from the nine U.S. Census Regions. Respondents were asked to self-select categories and brands they will evaluate.  

Brand Keys Customer Loyalty Index, the basis of the 2006 Brandweek Customer Loyalty Awards powered by Brand Keys, determines (95 percent confidence level) which products and services people will buy in the coming 18 to 24 months. Brandweek Magazine published the complete winners list in its May 22nd edition (www.brandweek.com). Full results may also be viewed at www.brandkeys.com. 

About Canon U.S.A., Inc.
Canon U.S.A., Inc. delivers consumer, business-to-business, and industrial imaging solutions. The Company is listed as one of Fortune's Most Admired Companies in America and is rated #35 on the BusinessWeek list of "Top 100 Brands." Its parent company Canon Inc. (NYSE:CAJ) is a top patent holder of technology, ranking second overall in the U.S. in 2005, with global revenues of $31.8 billion. For more information, visit www.usa.canon.com. 

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All referenced product names, and other marks, are trademarks of their respective owners.                                                   

 i Source Gartner Dataquest Printer Quarterly Statistics United States Database, Camille Iorns, February 2006
ii The full list of Brandweek Customer Loyalty Award Winners is published in the May 22nd issue and is available online for Brandweek.com subscribers.