Publicis Groupe, a global leader in marketing, communication, and business transformation, has announced the launch of Publicis90 in celebration of its 90th anniversary.
Through Publicis90, whose goal is to provide entrepreneurs with the support they need to bring their projects to life, or to take it to the next level, Publicis Groupe will mentor, support and fund 90 entrepreneurial projects in the digital field.
The Projects will be pre-selected by region (the Americas, Asia-Pacific, and Europe-Middle-East & Africa), with a first round of votes open to all Publicis Groupe employees.
A regional jury will then draw up a short-list from the pre-selected projects, before the final selection is made by a prestigious global jury that will pick the 90 most promising projects or start-ups.
The selected projects will be mentored by Publicis Groupe experts in marketing, communications, management and technology.
Projects that are about to be launched will receive €10,000 while €500,000 will be given to start-ups that are already ramping up. A special internal incubation scheme will be accorded selected projects submitted by Publicis Groupe employees.
“Publicis90 is very much in line with the philosophy of Publicis Groupe and its founder, Marcel Bleustein-Blanchet. The idea is to help young entrepreneurs achieve their goals. Not just through investment but also by putting Groupe resources at their disposal for a year,” Chairman and CEO of Publicis Groupe, Maurice Lévy said in a press release.
He added, “Rather than look back and pat ourselves on the back for 90 years of history, we have taken the forward-looking approach of extending a helping hand to young entrepreneurs.”
The holders of the 90 selected projects will be invited to participate to Viva Technology Paris, the first forum in France to bring together the people who matter most in digital throughout the world with over 5,000 start-ups.
Created by Publicis Groupe and Groupe Les Echos, the event will be held from June 30 to July 2, 2016 at the Paris Expo Exhibition Centre at Porte de Versailles. The 90 selected projects will be honoured at an awards ceremony held during the event.
Publicis90 is open to students, a new start-up, a successful entrepreneur or a Publicis Groupe employee anywhere in the world. Applications closes on February 28, 2016. Contestants should endeavour to apply before then.
Founded by Marcel Bleustein-Blanchet in 1926, Publicis Groupe offers its clients a unified, fluid model allowing them access to all the Groupe’s tools and expertise around the world. Present in 108 countries, the Groupe employs more than 76,000 professionals.
