Bronwyn Kelly of Canon USA on Combining Art and Analytics

Why have to choose just one?

Bronwyn Kelly serves as a senior product marketing specialist for Canon USA. She was recently project lead for Canon’s “MegaTank for MegaSavings” campaign.

We spent two minutes with Bronwyn to learn more about her background, her creative inspirations and recent work she’s admired.

Bronwyn, tell us…

Where you grew up, and where you live now. 

I was born and raised on Long Island, and I still call it home today.

How you first realized you were creative. 

My parents said I had a flair for creativity and the dramatics, especially when I’d act out Broadway shows in our living room. But I first realized my creative side in elementary school, when art became my favorite hobby, and I’d often introduce myself with it as my “fun fact.”

A person you idolized creatively early on. 

My family had the biggest influence on my creativity. There was rarely a time when we weren’t laughing so hard that our sides hurt. They taught me the value of humor, which helped me develop my creative thinking and ideation from a young age.

A moment from high school or college that changed your life. 

When I moved away to college, I was craving connections with people who shared my interests. When I realized there wasn’t an art club on campus, I took the initiative to create one. That experience taught me the importance of taking risks. As Ralph Waldo Emerson put it, “All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make, the better.”

A visual artist or band/musician you admire.

I’ve always found Banksy fascinating.

A book, movie, TV show or podcast you recently found inspiring. 

The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom has inspired me to live and create in the present moment. It’s a reminder that perspective shapes everything.

One of your favorite creative projects you’ve ever worked on. 

Canon’s “MegaTank for MegaSavings” yeti campaign. It was a blast bringing a mega character to life to help spread awareness of a great product.

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A recent project you’re proud of.

“Cyan Conundrum” pushed creative boundaries with our unique and eye-catching depiction of ink bottles.

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Someone else’s work that inspired you years ago.

Dell’s commercial for their colorful laptop cases had a lasting impact. It was simple yet effective, stuck in your head and made my family rush out to buy laptops in their favorite color.

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Someone else’s work you admired lately. 

I’ve been really impressed by Dunkin’s brown sugar shakin’ espresso commercials. The clever cross-promotion with a hit song of the summer made it even more effective and fun.

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Your main strength as a creative person. 

Flexibility. If something isn’t working, I’m quick to problem-solve and pivot to find a better solution.

Your biggest weakness. 

Overthinking and perfectionism.

A mentor who helped you navigate the industry. 

During my graphic design internship in college, I met a manager who would later become my mentor. At the time, I was pursuing a finance degree with a minor in mathematics and graphic design. I was struggling to decide whether to pursue art or analytics professionally, and my mentor gave me invaluable advice: Why should I have to choose? I could follow my passion for art without giving up my love for numbers. That conversation helped me shape my career into something I truly love.

How you’re paying it forward with the next generation of creatives. 

I always make an effort to be kind and inclusive. I believe it’s important to foster a creative and fun work environment where ideas can flow freely, helping others feel encouraged and inspired to share their own unique perspectives.