Last week, Canon USA initiated layoffs that affected multiple departments. While the exact number affected was not provided, it is not insignificant and included Rudy Winston, perhaps the most prominent face of Canon’s US-based brand, PetaPixel has learned. Winston worked at Canon for nearly 30 years as part of its professional products team and during that time was responsible for training Canon’s staff on new products, creating presentations for customers and dealers, leading numerous writing projects, and providing technical assistance to professional and amateur photographers. As frequent a face as he was for dealers and media — he was a constant presence at product demonstrations and press events — he is more known as one of the faces of Canon’s photography brand online thanks to his regular presence on Canon USA’s YouTube channel which includes an entire section titled “Tech Tips with Rudy Winston.” Winston was also a frequent spokesperson for Canon as a guest on other YouTube channels and podcasts. “During his career at Canon, he’s had hands-on experience with nearly every Canon EOS camera and lens, and has outstanding working knowledge of everyday use of the EOS system,” Canon says of Winston in a bio on the company’s website. “Rudy has worked in the photography field virtually his entire adult life. Before coming to Canon, he had an extensive career as a freelance photographer, including years of experience shooting professional sports, as well as experience in retail camera sales.”
If Canon released a new camera, it was assured that Winston would appear in a YouTube video explaining the new features, how to use them, and why photographers would want them. PetaPixel reached out to Canon, which confirmed the layoffs. “Canon’s recent reorganization was made to streamline operations and promote efficiency, in order to help achieve the necessary levels of performance that are required to meet our targets and remain competitive in a fast changing industry. These decisions, which were not made lightly, will support the company’s ability to make decisions in a faster and more agile way. Canon is steadfast in its dedication to long-term sustainability and providing strong support for our customers and our partners,” the company tells PetaPixel. Canon reported that its operating profit declined from January to March of 2024 by 5% compared to the same period last year. This is the first time in four years that its profits declined compared to the same period the previous year. The job cuts come about six months after Canon USA brought on a new CEO to manage local operations. Isao Kobayashi, known by colleagues as “Sammy,” took over the role from Kazuto Ogawa (who returned to Japan for another assignment) on January 1 after serving as the President and CEO at Canon Canada Inc. for the previous year. Kobayashi has been at Canon since 1990.
“I am honored to take on this role as President and CEO of Canon U.S.A., Inc. and will do my best to continue the hard work of our employees, customers, channel partners, and other stakeholders that have made this company so successful,” he said when he assumed the role in January.
