Cossette Names Cat Wiles New CSO in Toronto and Elevates Brand Experience Leader

Cossette continues to evolve its strategic offering with the appointment of Cat Wiles as chief strategy officer in Toronto and Rosie Gentile to SVP, experience design.

Cat joins Cossette from VCCP London, where she was head of planning. She is a multiple award-winning strategist who has worked at some of the most respected creative agencies in the world, including Mother and AMV BBDO. She has a proven track record of developing purpose-driven campaigns that place brands in culture to deliver game-changing business results. She was instrumental to VCCP’s recent global win of Shell, which led to the agency opening hubs around the world to service the brand. In 2019, she was named one of the top planners in London, coming in as runner up strategic planner of the Year in Campaign Magazine’s Agency of the Year Awards. One of Cat’s great passions is developing people - she mentors dozens of young planners and is an active member of the London planning community where she is sought out as a speaker and thought leader.

“Simply put I think Cat is one of the strongest next generation CSOs globally and I could not be more thrilled that she is joining the team,” says Daniel Shearer, EVP and general manager. “Cat brings a no-nonsense, insight-led and creatively driven approach to her work, aligning perfectly with our ambitions at Cossette. I’m certain that her leadership, global point of view and passion will take the strategy team and our clients in Toronto to new heights.”

Rosie has been with Cossette since January 2017 and has worked with SickKids, Flight Centre, Canopy Growth, TELUS and TD Canada Trust. In this new role she will work with clients to reimagine how their brands can show up in more powerful and personal ways, leveraging the complete potential of Cossette’s integrated bench. Rosie has a deep knowledge of 1:1, data, technology, social, content and media strategy, and is known for her ability to demystify strategy and take brands to new levels. Rosie will be a not-so-secret weapon for Cossette’s clients nationally, helping them to fully realize their strategic potential.

“At Cossette we have not been quiet about our belief that brand experience is the critical next chapter in how winning brands will connect with consumers,” says Shearer. “Given Rosie’s unmatched professional pedigree, we are incredibly fortunate to have her taking this step up to lead this point of view for both Cossette and our clients.”