P.M. BRIEFING : Edsel Ford II Promoted to Head Auto Company’s Marketing Staff

Five months after complaining publicly about his lack of responsibility in Ford Motor Co. affairs, Edsel Ford II was promoted today to the auto maker’s top marketing position.

Ford, 41, great-grandson of company founder Henry Ford, will become executive director of the marketing staff on July 1. The job is one level below that of vice president.

The move makes Edsel Ford the highest-ranking Ford family member at the company and marks the second promotion this year of a member of the family’s fourth generation.

Ford’s cousin, William Clay Ford Jr., known as Billy, will become head of heavy truck engineering and manufacturing on July 1.

Edsel Ford had complained that he and his 32-year-old cousin, son of retired Ford Vice Chairman William Clay Ford, held relatively meaningless positions on the board.

Last month, both fourth-generation Fords quietly were named to the finance and executive committees on the company’s board of directors in a move seen as ending a feud between the auto maker’s top management and the two cousins.