“I represented the creatives at the senior management level and I was always careful to make sure their voices were heard, so when the company made the decision about products, I made sure the creatives had a role,” Verdu said, adding that it can be a delicate balancing act, given the company’s metrics-driven approach.

Three of the company’s other creative types — Brian Reynolds, Tim LeTourneau and Bill Jackson — will take over some of Verdu’s responsibilities along with other people.

In parting, Verdu had nothing but good things to say about his colleagues, including CEO Mark Pincus: “I love the guys that I work with; I would go to war with these guys at my side anytime. Leaving them is hard.”