- Andrew McMains

NEW YORK Incoming Young & Rubicam executive creative directors Scott Vitrone and Ian Reichenthal will become the day-to-day leaders of the shop's creative department here after the exit of North American chief creative officer Gary Goldsmith, Y&R said today.

Vitrone and Reichenthal also are expected to work on select network assignments, including some involving clients outside New York. They start this week.

Previously, the two were partners and group creative directors at TBWA\Chiat\Day here, where they produced irreverent and quirky work for Mars brands such as Skittles, Snickers and Starburst. They resigned from TBWA\C\D two months ago to join WPP Group's Y&R.

At their new shop, Vitrone and Reichenthal will oversee a department of 112 creatives and work under worldwide cd Tony Granger, who also will be based in New York.

"Their first priority coming in should be to focus on Y&R New York and help us build the momentum we have been gaining there," said worldwide CEO Hamish McLennan, in a statement. "Tony and I believe their enthusiasm and their absolute love of their craft will be infectious and uplifting."

Granger, the former CCO at Publicis Groupe's Saatchi & Saatchi here, is expected to join Y&R next month after negotiating a reduction in the one-year notice period in his Saatchi contract. He resigned from Saatchi in November.

Vitrone said he was "excited to dig in and help Y&R as it continues its transformation," while Reichenthal described his new role as a "great challenge" and a "terrific new beginning."