We are advisors, practioners,
executers, and partners.
Lazare is led by a team of senior practitioners who have managed and grown creative, consulting, and technology businesses in the Americas, Europe, and Asia. All of us have lived or operated outside of our home countries for years, which has helped us hone a decidedly international perspective and a naturally collaborative style.
André Coste
Managing Partner
Before founding Lazare Consulting LLC in 2016, André served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of MDC Partners, Inc. (now Stagwell), where he played a pivotal role in internationalizing the business, defining growth strategies for the agency networks, and diversifying into digital
Prior to that, he spent nine years at Publicis Groupe, holding roles as Asia-Pacific CFO and later as Global CFO of Publicis Worldwide in 2008, driving strategic growth across multiple regional markets. He also served as CFO for Northern Europe and Group Controller at Capgemini Group.
With 30 years of international experience, André has led teams and completed M&A transactions across more than 50+ markets. He brings a deep understanding of the Asian market, having studied in Hong Kong and Korea and worked in Japan and Singapore for several years.
André began his career as an investment banker at Paribas Capital Markets in Japan. He then held several positions in Treasury, Financial Communication, and Corporate Finance before being appointed CFO.
He graduated from the ESSEC MBA (France) after spending a year at Yonsei University in Seoul and Hong Kong University.
Patrick Collins
Managing Partner
Patrick joined Andre at Lazare Consulting in 2017 after helping launch Grace Blue Acquisition, a boutique global advisory practice designed to let M&A clients in the creative communications space proactively evaluate and engage with the best potential partners versus only those known to be “for sale”.
Prior to Lazare, Patrick spent 20+ years in and around the advertising industry. A graduate of Dartmouth College, he started in the business at DDB Chicago and, over the course of his career, has led a broad range of clients at agencies as diverse as RPA in Los Angeles and M&C Saatchi in London. His experience at Ogilvy leading the BP global business sparked his interest in the inherent creative and operational challenge of big, complex, global brand relationships. And his move to TBWA let him do that at even greater scale, as the head of their global relationships with Mars, Visa, and Accenture.
Patrick left the advertising world in 2013 to scratch an entrepreneurial itch and take on a role as brand and marketing director for two small West Coast technology-driven start-ups – Project Frog and SimpliPhi Power.
Although based in New York, Patrick commutes from his home in Chicago. Which, unfortunately, means he is no stranger to rolling delays in the summer and cancelled flights in the winter. But worth it, to see the Cubs finally win a World Series.
Marc Damasse
Managing Partner
Marc joined Lazare in December 2021, bringing 20+ years of experience as a CFO/COO in marketing communications plus a track record of helping C-level leaders of small-to-mid-sized European service businesses sharpen growth strategies and retool operations.
Marc began his career at TBWA where, over a span of 12 years, he rose to be International Controller while working and living in New York, Moscow, and several Central and Eastern Europe markets.
In 2011, Marc joined Publicis Worldwide as CFO for Western Europe, a scope that expanded 2 years later to include CEE. Based in Hamburg and, later, in London, Marc partnered with regional CEOs to help them execute major acquisitions, integrations, restructurings, and better manage client contract negotiations.
Prior to joining Lazare, Marc was CFO of GroupM, WPP’s media operation in France, where he was charged with leading a complete transformation of the business and a full reorganisation of all support functions to increase effectiveness and efficiency.
Based in Paris, Marc’s background in digital, media, and marketing communications plus his country-level experience within Europe not only strengthens Lazare’s core competencies but better enables us to advise European clients in their own time zones.
Jing Legrand
Managing Partner
Jing joined the Lazare team in 2024 as a partner, building on and expanding Lazare's presence in Asia.
Jing brings extensive experience in financial management and brand strategy. Early in her career, she spent seven years as a consultant at Ernst & Young and Capgemini in France, gaining deep expertise in financial management and strategic planning. After returning to China, she served as Finance Director at Fives and Publicis China, focusing on enhancing financial management and operational efficiency.
In the field of brand strategy and marketing, Jing has nearly 20 years of experience. As the APAC CEO of Altavia, she led international brands in their marketing efforts in China while helping Chinese companies establish and grow their own brands in domestic and global markets, driving significant brand value growth. She firmly believes that cross-cultural collaboration is essential for driving innovation and sustainable growth and has demonstrated outstanding leadership in brand strategy and market positioning.
As an advocate for ESG and Business For Good, she mentors the next generation of Chinese business leaders at CKGSB and invests in ventures aligned with her vision of creating value for both business and society.
Sandrine Zerbib
Senior Advisor
Sandrine joined Lazare in 2024 as a Senior Advisor, bringing her experience and expertise to the company's brand and retail advisory vertical.
From the very first moment Sandrine set foot in China, with its staggering economic growth, she experienced a positive culture shock. She knew that this newfound spark would never go out.
An expert in Chinese ecommerce and retail, Sandrine founded Full Jet, a brand management and digital agency, in 2012, which was acquired by Baozun in 2021. She then became President of Baozun Brand Management, leading M&A deals for Gap Greater China and Hunter IP in Greater China and Southeast Asia.
Previously, Sandrine led Adidas' business operations in China for over a decade, growing the Chinese business from nearly nonexistent to becoming Adidas' second-largest market outside the U.S., securing the Beijing 2008 Olympics partnership, and integrating Reebok into the China market.
Sandrine is not only and experienced executive, but also an author and thought leader in the space who is sought out for her expertise on doing business in Asia and on managing retail brands. As a result, Sandrine has held various director of the board positions, including Allure Systems, Esprit Holdings Ltd, Infront Sports & Media, Lacoste China CEO and Executive Director of China Dongxiang (Group) Co., Ltd (Kappa and Phenix).
Today, Sandrine is the founder of ZW Conseil and serves as a member of the advisory board of Pictet Premium Brands thematic fund.
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Julie Comer
Vice President
Julie joined Lazare Consulting in their New York office in 2019. Originally from Paris, Julie graduated from EDHEC Business School in France and earned a master's degree in finance from IIM Udaipur in India. Before that, Julie worked in the management control team for a luxury goods manufacturer in Paris.
At Lazare, she is now Vice President, overseeing client project delivery across Europe and the United States. She played a pivotal role in helping an ad-tech company execute its growth strategy by facilitating two acquisitions, securing the necessary funding, and integrating the acquisitions as part of the build-up strategy.
Julie has also led several Brand Commerce projects, collaborating with local teams to close multiple brand transactions, including share deals, licensing agreements, and joint ventures. Her involvement spanned growth planning, deal negotiations, and integrating the brands into the client's portfolio.
Julie is now focused on growing the Brand Commerce vertical. She is always on the lookout to connect with emerging brands seeking to expand or find the right operational or financial partners.
Brian Rose
Associate
Brian joined Lazare Consulting in 2022 and, in his role as Associate, works closely with our clients on a range of briefs including investment & debt fundraising, financial analysis, and deal execution. Brian also leads our efforts in helping clients identify, engage, and explore potential partnerships with like-minded independent companies.
Brian attended the Stevens Institute of Technology, where he majored in Business & Technology. Over the course of his studies, Brian held internships at WeWork and Connectivity Ventures Fund, the latter of which sparked an interest in M&A and helping growing businesses scale.
Upon graduation and prior to joining Lazare, Brian spent a year working in Operations & Finance at Handsome Brook Farms, a food distribution startup focused on sustainable organic agriculture.
When not working on a search, Brian can be found in his beloved hometown of Hoboken, New Jersey playing his lead guitar with his friends in their band Beekeeper .
Katixa Labescau
Financial Analyst
Katixa joined Lazare Consulting in New York in 2024 as a financial analyst to help deliver Strategy and M&A projects in the US, France, and Asia. Given her background and interest in brands and fashion, Katixa also plays a key role in supporting Lazare's new Consumer Goods and Retail vertical.
Originally from the Basque Country in France, Katixa studied Finance at ESSEC Business School both in Paris and in Singapore. In addition to her studies, she also worked as a business analyst for a premium fashion brand where she expanded her knowledge of the retail and fashion industries.
When not discovering a new US-city on the weekends, Katixa makes the most of New York by exploring its best coffee shops and attending exhibitions and concerts.