Clark leaves Astros' marketing post

HOUSTON -- Kathleen Clark, who served as the Astros' vice president of marketing and strategy for the past nine months, has left the team to return to her marketing consulting practice.

The team said in a statement released Tuesday that Clark, who was hired in March, had returned to Carta Marketing Strategy & Solutions. She oversaw the Astros' public relations, media relations, broadcasting, brand and marketing services, in-game entertainment, digital media, fan engagement, the Astros in Action Foundation and community services.

"The Houston Astros would like to thank Kathleen Clark for her work on the successful first season campaign, strengthening the marketing staff, and the successful launch of new logo, identity and uniforms," Astros owner Jim Crane said in a statement.

Clark was instrumental in the team's "Root. Root. Root." marketing campaign last season and rebranding efforts for 2013. The Astros will have new uniforms featuring the orange and blue colors of their past as they move to the American League next year.

"We look forward to continuing to work with Kathleen in a strategic capacity while she returns to her successful marketing consulting business," Astros president and CEO George Postolos said in a statement.