René Bissonnette

René Bissonnette is a partner in Gowling WLG's Toronto office with distinctive expertise in matters at the interface of advertising, marketing and entertainment law. René is ranked in both Chambers Canada and in the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory for Advertising & Marketing Law, and is recognized as a Thomson Reuters Stand-out Lawyer. He provides practical advice and cost-effective risk management solutions.

As part of his practice, René regularly advises clients on:

• Executing promotional campaigns
• Negotiating spokesperson, sponsorship, talent and co-promotion agreements
• Dealing with talent union (e.g. ACTRA) matters
• Responding to Ad Standards complaints
• Creating influencer marketing and native advertising content
• Producing and exploiting film, music and other creative properties
• Advising clients on CASL and privacy matters
• Reviewing consumer goods packaging and labelling
• Developing website terms of use and social media policies
• Structuring online consumer transactions and rewards programs

Fluent in English and French, René is a member of the Ad Standards Council, the co-editor of the Food, NHP & Cosmetic newsletter and a lecturer at Osgoode Hall Law School, Ryerson's Digital Media Zone and Schulich's School of Business.