Patti will become vice-chairman of Young & Rubicam in the streamlining process, as each of the six North American offices ceases to operate as a separate company.
Chief executives of several Y&R offices, including New York, Chicago, Detroit, Irvine, San Francisco and Toronto, are to lose their titles and will instead be called managing partners.
According to a report in the Wall Street Journal today, the reorganisation, which has been overseen by chairman and chief executive Ann Fudge, the former Kraft executive, will help cut internal arguments and competition and increase cooperation.
The shake-up is designed to help the agency work closer with its clients. As part of that initiative, Fudge is to set up a team of five executives who will work with all of the agency's clients. Their job will be to come with ideas for clients that go beyond traditional television advertising.
Patti will now focus solely on his global creative duties. He joined Young & Rubicam from BBDO New York in January 2003 with the job title of chairman and CEO of the New York office and worldwide creative director.
Some reports in the US media say that he does not have an easy relationship with Fudge, who joined the agency in May 2003.
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