Some more info of HBO’s surprise shakeup of its digital team..well, rather completely doing away with the senior management of its digital team. Our sources say HBO has no plans of replacing the top digital executives that have left. The functions would be consolidated within NYC. Mind-boggling to think HBO is pulling back its digital efforts in this day and age. For the company, VOD is the digital holy grail for now, it seems.

Also, we have learned that Steve Stanford, the GM of online comedy joint venture (with AOL) ThisJustIn, has also left. Stanford was previously the founder and CEO of Icebox.com and co-founder and early days COO of Amp’d Mobile. These changes won’t affect the JV for now, though, according to AOL.

Staci adds:  A little more ... as Rafat wrote above, new media is being consolidated in New York but I am told that does not mean a pullback in new media. No comment from HBO—a spokesman said the network doesn’t discuss personnel matters—however, a source familiar with the situation says the structure will be made clearer in the next week or two. Eric Kessler assumed top-line responsibility for new media several months ago; he retained it in the post-Albrecht organization as co-president overseeing the marketing and worldwide distribution of HBO networks and content. 

• HBO Boots Its Top Digital Team in LA; Consolidating in NYC
• TW Sibs HBO, AOL Team Up for Comedy Site “This Just In”