Michael Barrett, EVP of AOL's Media Networks division, has left to join Fox Interactive Media (FIM), after having "guided AOL through a digital media resurgence" in the past two years, writes ClickZ. Kathleen Kayse, previously SVP of sales, has replaced him. Barrett's sudden departure is apparently a surprise, coming as it does in the wake of AOL's recent resurrection of sorts.

FIM itself has been on a roll, though, having acquired MySpace, IGN Entertainment and Scout.com in the past year.

Kayse joined AOL as SVP of sales in November 2004. "Kathy…has led the national advertising sales teams to record growth," Mike Kelly, president of AOL Media Networks, said in a statement. "She is a strong leader and has been responsible for some of the largest and most successful media sales organizations in the U.S."

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