Beatty has been the managing director of the Mail on Sunday and the London Evening Standard. He also helped launch Associated's hugely successful Metro free morning newspaper in 1999.
MacLennan had been the group managing director of Associated for 10 years before being hired by the Barclay brothers' Telegraph Group, where he will oversee a cost-cutting plan across the Daily and Sunday Telegraph. MacLennan, 55, takes over from Jeremy Deedes, who came out of retirement earlier this year to oversee the sale of the group.
According to MacLennan said: "It is a great honour to be offered such a wonderful opportunity after so many enjoyable years at Associated. I am looking forward to it."
His Telegraph appointment came as a surprise at the weekend and he is thought to be the first of a number of hirings for the reclusive Barclay brothers.
Northcliffe Newspapers, the regional press arm of DMGT, has promoted deputy managing director, Michael Pelosi, to take over Beatty's role.
Pelosi has been with Northcliffe since he was appointed the finance director in 1988. He was promoted to deputy managing director in 1995.
Lord Rothermere, the chairman of DMGT, said: "I am delighted to make these two appointments from within the group. They illustrate the depth and strength of our management and I am more than confident that our newspapers will continue to prosper under their leadership."
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