Montreal-based CASACOM expands to Toronto, Carolyn Ray joins as Managing Director

TORONTO, Sept. 19, 2011 /CNW Telbec/ - On the milestone of its tenth anniversary, CASACOM, ranked as one of Quebec's top communications firms, announced its expansion to Toronto to better serve the needs of its national clients in food, retail, professional services, media, technology and healthcare. Marie-Josée Gagnon, President and Founder, also announced that Carolyn Ray, a senior leader with over 20 years of experience in branding, corporate communications and marketing communications, is joining as Managing Director to lead the Toronto office.

"CASACOM was founded behind a simple idea: to help our clients solve business problems, using communications as a lever," said Marie-Josée Gagnon. "Ten years later, we have evolved to become partners, or architects, in the success of our clients' business. With Carolyn's passionate leadership in Toronto, we can extend this philosophy, reinforce our unique approach to collaboration and excellence, and truly make a difference in our clients' businesses. I also believe that having two expert teams, one in French Canada and the other in English Canada, is a real advantage when it comes to delivering results."

Carolyn Ray, Managing Director, CASACOM
Carolyn Ray has cultivated a reputation for creativity and innovation, leading strategic branding and communications programs for B2B and B2C brands such as IBM, Ford, Walmart, Dell, Luxottica, Thomson Reuters, Microsoft, Kohler and John Deere. While at Interbrand, Carolyn established the brand consultancy's first global Brand Engagement practice, helping develop and activate brands both internally and externally. Most recently, she was vice president, Marketing Communications at National Public Relations and a member of the firm's Executive Committee. Carolyn also launched the firm's Employee Engagement practice and is recognized as an expert in internal communications and social media. She is dedicated to advancing the profession and teaches a course on PR Research and Insights at Ryerson University.

"At CASACOM, we believe communications goes beyond competency or skill. Rather, it is an accelerant of business success," said Carolyn Ray. "With our unique perspective, we understand that each dialogue an organization has with its audiences is an opportunity to deliver on the strategy of the business, ultimately creating relevancy, distinctiveness and clarity. CASACOM and Marie-Josée are widely respected across Canada, and I am thrilled to be joining such an entrepreneurial, innovative group of people."

About CASACOM
Since 2001, CASACOM has helped senior leaders solve business problems through communications. Built on the premise of small houses or 'maisons', we have established an impeccable reputation for personalized service, excellence and impactful results. CASACOM was founded with a deep sense of integrity and humanity, and our unique approach to collaboration and excellence gives us the opportunity to truly make a difference in our clients' businesses. Our highly strategic, creative, and passionate people specialize in corporate communications, public affairs, and marketing communications. CASACOM has offices in Montreal and Toronto, and 100 partner offices all over the world through its membership in the Worldcom Group, the largest network of independent public relations firms in the world. For more information please visit www.casacom.ca.

For further information:

Jean-Benoît Houde
Director, media relations
514-286-2145 poste 224
514-652-4344
[e-mail]

Carolyn Ray
Managing Director and Vice President
416-944-2145
647-213-3450
[e-mail]