EA is losing some key staff to start-ups.

APRIL 15, 2011 • The Orlando Business Journal reported that Madden NFL 2012 creative director Ian Cummings  and other EA Tiburon executives have departed the company to form a new online games studio in Florida called Row Sham Bow. Also making the jump from EA Tiburon was general manager Philip Holt. EA Sports’ chief technology officer Richard Wifall left to join the new studio, as well. In related news, EA COO John Schappert is departing to head up Zynga’s game division.

Impact: Social network game development and mobile game development are the new hot new destinations for investment capital as Facebook brings in new game players in the millions and smartphone sales continue to increase. Raiding a major publisher like EA for talent is nothing new, but we wonder how many high-level defections can be endured before there is an effect on operations. This may not be a bad thing, however. New faces in high places may actually lead to better results in product development.