Citing the desire to devote more time to business interests such as sports and films, Ted Leonsis, AOL's vice chairman and the president of its ad-focused audience business, has resigned from the latter post.

Leonsis, who plans to continue to work for the company on a daily basis, according to ABC News, was instrumental in AOL's shift from a subscription model to an ad-based, free service. His resignation precedes a company reorganization, expected to be announced this week, related to that shift, writes ClickZ.

Leonsis says he is considering entrepreneurial opportunities both for AOL and himself, including the creation of a platform for filmmakers to make films on human rights; the films would be distributed via theaters and online.