The new, nimbler Cossette begins to make its mark early, quickly making a name for itself as a leader in integrated marketing in Canada. Cossette's refreshed image along with its bold promise of “Live Engagement” and its new offer are introduced to the industry through the late summer launch of a lively new digital platform and website, www.cossette.com.

Following its return to private ownership, the former Cossette Communication Group is reorganized under a new holding structure. Vision7 International is created as a Canadian-based holding company led by Claude Lessard, Chairman and CEO, to shape the future and supervise the activities of three new independent and separate groups - Cossette, EDC and V7 Media. Cossette names Brett Marchand as CEO and becomes a fully integrated marketing communications service, all under a same roof. The holding structure ushers in an exciting new era for Cossette, with the newly reorganized company poised for growth in Canada and internationally.

Meanwhile, Cossette announced the acquisition of Mobilito technologies, a Montreal firm specializing in the mobile sector, strengthening its positioning in the digital industry.

Cossette returns to private ownership when Connecticut-based private equity firm Mill Road Capital purchases a majority interest in Cossette. Cossette is still majority-owned by Mill Road Capital, with management also owning a significant share.

Cossette continues its expansion in the U.K., and extends its current promise of making digital relevancy a major corporate priority by acquiring Dare Digital, a leading digital agency based in London.

Cossette rounds out the convergent package in Europe by buying a 51% stake in Miles Calcroft Briginshaw Duffy (MCBD) and its subsidiary Elvis Communications, thus adding world-class advertising, sales promotion and direct marketing to its European operations.

Cossette continues its European expansion, and adds public relations to the European portfolio with the acquisition of the Band and Brown Group, also a London-based company that services clients across Europe.

Cossette establishes a foothold in Europe with the acquisition of London-based Identica, a world leader in design and brand management. 

Claude Lessard makes a speech to the Montreal Chamber of Commerce, establishing Cossette's destiny for the new Millennium by announcing a public share offering to follow three months later. On June 18, 1999, shares begin trading on the Montreal and Toronto stock exchanges.

Cossette makes its first foray into the United States, opening an office in Washington.

Cossette develops another new offering: Cossette Interactive.

Influential trade publication Marketing Magazine names Cossette Agency of the Year.

Cossette opens an office in Vancouver.

Air Canada, impressed by Cossette's expansion across Canada, invites the agency to pitch its business and the agency not only wins the account, but also responds with some of its best work, including a dynamic TV campaign and innovative billboards. Meanwhile, throughout Quebec, Cossette is charming consumers and winning even more advertising acclaim for a breathtaking outdoor campaign making holiday destination Club Med a sensation by contrasting the bleak Canadian winter experience with idyllic Club Med settings.

Cossette sets up shop in a mid-town brownstone on Avenue Road in Toronto's fashionable Yorkville district. Cossette pitches the national Renault account a month later. The business is awarded in January 1982 and Cossette Toronto becomes a reality.

Cossette, already offering advertising, graphic design and promotions, adds to its growing list of marketing disciplines by expanding into the PR business with the launch of Optimum Public Relations.

Cossette wins the McDonald's Restaurants account in Quebec City.

Cossette opens in Montreal.

Claude Lessard and five young partners invest their own money to launch Cossette Communication-Marketing in Quebec City.