THE BIG INTERVIEW
- David Honey, Director of Photo Imaging at Fujifilm UK Ltd
make things work in the best way that they can for our customers. As we progress through the rest of the year, we will be applying extra effort in Instant Photo with a beefed-up marketing campaign for Instax, as well as for Imagine mobile (our app for photo prints and gifts/ personalisation). We’ll also be looking at how we can help customers face their challenges for adopting dry-lab systems and other impacts of printing technology in general. Pixel: And what impact will the arrival of your new Managing Director for the UK, Mr Fukumoto have in achieving these objectives? DH: Masa is highly supportive of the whole team at Fujifilm UK and I would expect that, as we roll out our programme of activities, he will be extremely closely involved in playing his part to ensure that they are as successful as they can be. Pixel: What is the intention from here, David? Where does the UK team intend to take the Fujifilm brand in the UK market, so far as market share is concerned? DH: That’s a good question, Simon. Over the years, the Fujifilm brand has continued to grow to the stage that we know it to be today; but it’s a little confusing perhaps, that ‘Fuji Film’ (the brand of film) is a much smaller part of our business, and ‘Fujifilm’ (the name of our Corporation) has taken a more ‘corporate’ brand flavour. Nowadays, the many sub-brands like ‘Instax’, like ‘Imagine’, like ‘Frontier’ etc. all need their own distinct identity and promotion, which of course, requires additional effort and expertise from our team. Pixel: Instax sales are reportedly continuing to grow, so what are your plans to consolidate this growth and maintain your market share? DH: That’s something that we’re working on right now and we will be in a position to share with you, the readers and our retail customers in a very short while. As I mentioned earlier though, we will be applying extra effort with our Photo division with a considerable marketing campaign for Instax as well as for Imagine mobile (our app for photo prints and gifts). Fujifilm has always been very respectful of our competitors, and with instant photography,
Fujifilm UK, Managing Director Masaharu Fukumoto
We would hope that in order to continue to grow our business, the main elements of quality and design of Fujifilm will ultimately shine through!
we do have some. We would hope that in order to continue to grow our business, the main elements of quality and design of Fujifilm will ultimately shine through! Pixel: Pixel are hugely excited to learn information about the Wonder Photo Tour as discussed with Fujifilm’s UK Marketing Manager, Peter Wigington (on pages 10-13 of this edition). What do you anticipate the potential benefits might be for the photofinishing division from such a proactive incentive, and are there any plans for similar activities for the camera division? DH: Along with our supply of products and brands into this industry we feel we have a certain responsibility to help to promote the brands also. It’s amazing that, in 2016, how
many people still don’t know that you can get printed photos directly from a smartphone or any kind of mobile device, and many, many people have yet to enjoy the delights of a high quality, modern photobook, or a beautiful canvas displaying their printed memories in the home. There is a huge potential still to be explored and this is the essence of the Wonder Photo Tour from Fujifilm. Besides canvassing the photo-taking public about how they use photo, we are going to be showing them how you can enjoy photos in such a diversified and connected world, and of course we’ll be showing off our Instax camera and film range too. Pixel: Can you tell us of any Fujifilm plans for photokina? DH: We’ve all been working hard towards the major event, but everything is under wraps I’m afraid. You’ll have to come to the show to find out. I can, however, promise you that you won’t be disappointed and that we very much look forward to seeing you and everyone else there!l
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