Vision7 International: Cossette's Path to the Future

QUEBEC CITY, Nov. 16 /CNW Telbec/ - Cossette is reshaping its future. The highly successful marketing communications company is being restructured into two separate entities that will operate under a new holding company called Vision7 International. This move reflects the vision of a new generation of manager-owners committed to simultaneously pursuing the leadership of Cossette in Canada while accelerating the growth of its international activities, which already represent 45 % of its business.

"This evolution is designed to better meet the needs of our clients and to remain at the forefront of an industry that is experiencing a major reshuffling of its global business landscape. Our entrepreneurial culture constantly drives us to challenge ourselves to adapt and to evolve," said Claude Lessard, Chairman and CEO of Cossette.

Brett Marchand, President & COO of Cossette, added: "This move will add depth to our service offering, increase our flexibility and fuel our growth."

THE HOLDING COMPANY: A NEW CORPORATE ENTITY CALLED VISION7 INTERNATIONAL

Vision7 International will be a Canadian-based holding company led by Claude Lessard, Chairman and CEO, that will shape the future of the group and supervise the activities of two independent and separate entities. These two distinct entities, each with its own business model, will give the company the flexibility to grow in Canada and at the same time compete more aggressively at the international level.

The holding company corporate structure is a common one among international marketing communications companies.

TWO ENTITIES INCREASING REACH, SCOPE AND GROWTH POTENTIAL

1. A Reinvented Cossette in Canada
The prestigious Cossette brand, a dominant player in the Canadian communications landscape, will operate as a totally integrated agency. It will be simplified in structure and operations, with numerous marketing communications services combined as one offering to its unique client base. 

This new Cossette will be led by President and recently appointed CEO Brett Marchand. "Cossette remains true to its rich heritage. We are focused on creativity and innovation and we aim to be considered the model agency of the future: integrated, nimble, agile and responsive. We are convinced that this model will bring higher results for our clients," explained Mr. Marchand.

Cossette will provide an integrated offering of a wide range of communications services such as strategic planning and research, interactive communications and mass advertising, channel planning and media buying for both online and mass media, sales promotion and direct marketing, database and customer relationship management (CRM), online social marketing, interactive marketing and technology solutions, branding and design as well as print and video production.

2. Esprit de Corps Communications: Spearheading International Growth
The other entity, Esprit de Corps Communications, is a group of world-class agencies specializing in a variety of marketing disciplines operating in the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada. This network will be jointly led by Gregor Angus, President of Esprit de Corps Europe and by Colin Schleining, President of Esprit de Corps North America.

Esprit de Corps will include a roster of top international agencies in five key areas: interactive communications and mass advertising (Dare and MCBD); sales promotion and direct marketing, database and customer relationship management (CRM) (Elvis in the U.K.); public relations and social media (Paine PR in the U.S., Optimum PR in Canada and Band & Brown in the U.K.); online social marketing (Rocket XL), and channel planning and media buying for both online and mass media (Jungle Media).

THE NEW HOLDING'S LEADERSHIP TEAM

The Vision7 international leadership team will include Claude Lessard, Chairman of the Board and CEO; Brett Marchand, Vice-Chairman of the Board; Pierre Delagrave, President of Media; Martin Faucher, Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer; Marcel Barthe, Vice-President, Corporate Strategy; and Kimberley Okell, Vice President, Legal Affairs.

This restructuring is the first major development at Cossette since the company returned to private ownership in December 2009. After a decade as a public company that saw significant international expansion, Cossette was privatized last year when Mr. Lessard and a group of senior managers led an investor group in the acquisition of the company. This large group of senior managers from Canada, the U.S. and the U.K. now own 45% of the company.

ABOUT VISION7 INTERNATIONAL

Vision7 International (vision7international.com) is among the top 25 international marketing communications companies in the world, with some 1,450 employees in Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States. Vision7 International has two operating divisions: Cossette (www.cossette.com), a fully integrated agency which is a leader position in Canada, and Esprit de Corps Communications (www.thisisedc.com), a group of discipline-specific marketing agencies operating internationally. Cossette brings value to its clients by providing various communications services in one simple integrated offering. Cossette has offices in Quebec City, Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, Winnipeg, Edmonton and Halifax. Esprit de Corps is a global network of first class agencies, including international agency brands Dare Digital, MCBD, Elvis, Paine PR, Optimum, Band & Brown, Rocket XL, and Jungle Media. In addition to its offices in New York, Los Angeles and London, Esprit de Corps will have operations in all key Canadian markets.

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