PARIS — Publicis Groupe has launched its artificial intelligence platform Marcel, in partnership with Microsoft, to break down silos between its agencies and connect its 80,000 employees around the world. Marcel, named after founder Marcel Bleustein Blanche, was announced last summer, when Publicis announced it would forgo industry awards and festivals for a year to focus on developing the platform. Arthur Sadoun, Chairman & CEO, Publicis Groupe, said: “Marcel is a journey to shift Publicis Groupe from a holding company to a platform and give creative minds the freedom to progress and thrive in this ever-changing industry.”

WHITLEY, UK — Jaguar Land Rover has restructured its marketing, sales, service and PR functions. Fiona Pargeter, currently global PR communications director, is appointed to the new position of customer experience director, responsible for all marketing communications, experiential marketing, customer insights and PR. Anthony Bradbury, currently global communications director, becomes UK marketing director. Finbar McFall continues as product marketing director, with an increased remit for new business models. Global corporate affairs director Helen McLintock will now report directly to Jaguar Land Rover CEO Dr Ralf Speth and retain responsibilities for corporate affairs, government affairs and the responsible business function.

LONDON — MSL has appointed CEO counselor and CSR and sustainability expert Jeremy Cohen (pictured) to lead its global Salterbaxter social purpose and sustainability business. Cohen joins Salterbaxter from the Reputation Institute where he was vice president and consulting director for the Benelux region. Previously, he led Edelman’s business and social purpose practice. Cohen will report to Peter Steere, Chairman of EMEA for MSL.

LONDON — The Economist has hired Porter Novelli as its official PR partner for its Pride and Prejudice summits in London, New York and Hong Kong this month, which aim to challenge and advance global conversation around LGBT diversity and inclusion. The appointment follows the launch of Porter Novelli’s global Purpose Practice, which specialises in purpose-driven brand strategy, CSR, social marketing, social impact and brand communications. Porter Novelli’s brief includes alliance building, media relations and content development.

PARIS — Diane Gaillard, founder of international PR network Consultancy 32, and Francois Ramaget, founder of reputation management agency Gootenberg, have set-up StandOut, a communications training programme just for European start-ups. As well as monthly workshop covering all aspects of PR strategy, entrepreneurs will be able to pitch to a panel of experts, including journalists, funds, a rating agency and corporates, and get feedback. Gaillard said: “The key to success between two start-ups with the same business model is their communications. StandOut allows start-ups to master all offline and online communication tools to raise their reputation without having to pay a large communications budget or depending on an outside agency.”

LONDON — Integrated brand activation agency tbk Group, which creates local marketing programmes for the retail industry and national shopper marketing promotions for brands including Lucozade, Dixons Carphone, TUI and Wickes, has brought in Rachelle Headland to run its London operation. Headland was recently a managing partner at Oliver and was MD of shopper agency Saatchi & Saatchi X.

LONDON — Ogilvy has worked with the Football Association and Subbuteo to create the world’s first all-female football set to celebrate the 2018 SSE Women’s FA Cup Final this month. The limited edition set of the iconic table football game was created under license from Hasbro. The classic Subbuteo box was also redesigned to feature female footballers.