McLean, who has been at the WPP Group-owned network for 17 years, was promoted to North American CEO in February 2005. He now becomes global managing partner with the responsibility of developing client strategies for accounts such as Colgate-Palmolive, Accenture and Campbell Soup Company.
Jaques, chief executive of Y&R Asia, will take over from McLean as chief executive of North America. The agency has not yet named a replacement for Jaques, with a decision expected in the next two months.
The appointments are the first by Y&R's new chief executive Hamish McLennan, former chairman and CEO of Y&R Brands in Australia and New Zealand, since he replaced the previous chief executive Ann Fudge in June after an 18-month search.
McLennan worked for 17 years at George Patterson Y&R, formerly George Patterson Bates, which was acquired last year by WPP.
Fudge remains chairman and CEO of Y&R Brands, which houses PR agency Burson-Marsteller, branding agency Landor Associates and direct marketing agency Wunderman.
Y&R lost the pitch for the $100m Ford-owned Jaguar account in February 2005. The agency had held the account since 2001.
The loss compounded the effects of previous client defections, which have included Sony Electronics, Computer Associates, Kraft Foods and Burger King.
Y&R's key accounts include Cadbury Schweppes, Colgate-Palmolive, Danone, Ford and Xerox.
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