René Bissonnette Partner


Speaks:  English, French

Year of Call: 2011 - Ontario

Primary phone: +1 416-862-3647

Fax: +1 416-862-7661

Email: rene.bissonnette@gowlingwlg.com

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Primary office:  Toronto




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 Chambers 2022 for Advertising & Marketing. 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.

Career & Recognition

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Representative Work

René's clients include global advertising agencies, major consumer goods manufacturers, digital media startups and A-list talent. Some examples of his representative work include:

  • Advising on the production and monetization of a professional athlete social media platform
  • Structuring cannabis promotional campaigns involving celebrity entrepreneurs
  • Developing multi-year brand spokesperson relationships for leading Canadian brands
  • On-boarding Canadian Olympic athletes for domestic and international Tokyo 2020 campaigns
  • Advising on the development and production of a branded documentary for screening at international film festivals