Jean-Benoît Houde

Senior Consultant

Even with college under my belt, my interests were still all over the map! Architecture, law, politics, large-scale project management, culture—they all beckoned. Decisions, decisions! Happily public relations was an option, too, a not so run-of-the-mill profession where you discover all sorts of industries and organizations—and get to share them with others!

My public relations classes at Laval University threw me to the lions, so to speak. I got my start with Préambule communication, Cossette’s student communications agency, where I spent three years, including two as director. Once school was done, I moved on to sports events, taking care of local and international media relations for the mountain bike and snowboard world cups and Quebec’s first Red Bull Crashed Ice (a hair-raising event that sees daredevils on skates tackle a jaw-dropping icy course from Château Frontenac down to Petit-Champlain).

Managing the logistics of these major sporting events taught me to think on my feet and to act at a second’s notice—excellent preparation for politics. During the 2004 federal election, I assisted the press secretary to the heritage minister as well as the director of communications, who was responsible for forty-odd ridings. This thrilling stint in politics was punctuated by planning ministerial tours and managing press briefings for ministers and candidates. Then I returned to the private sector with Triomphe Communication Marketing and Optimum.

Further studies—this time at McGill—brought me to the bright lights of Montreal. Then in 2006, I joined the talented, highly successful, multidisciplined CASACOM team, first as a consultant, then in early 2009 as a senior consultant for business communications and public affairs. Since day one, the wide range and quality of the projects I have worked on have met my every expectation. I have had the good fortune to work on projects that hold a real interest for me—for the likes of Corus Québec, Gesca, Gowlings, the Port of Montreal, Université de Montréal, the Viger DMC International real estate project, and the National Circus School, to name but a few.

Of course, I love to discover and explore after work, too. I’m always on the lookout for the best Montreal has to offer, uniquely different places and venues, and new cultural and sporting experiences.

Have you got your own favorites? What do you recommend?

CV: download my résumé