Jason Hirschhorn, global digital officer of MTV Networks, is leaving MTV just as it launches Urge, the digital-music store he championed, writes AdAge. Urge, developed in collaboration with Microsoft, is positioned to challenge to Apple's iTune. Hirschhorn will assume a transitional consulting role through summer.

Before joining MTV six years ago, Hirschhorn launched Mischief New Media, which MTV acquired. He said he had wanted to see through the launch of Urge, which was announced last fall.

Hirschhorn said he plans to spend part of the summer traveling through Europe. While he wouldn't disclose his post-MTV plan, he said, "It'll be around the digital space and broadband, whether it's a startup or financed by biggies."