Ascot marketing boss rejoins Tote

The government-owned bookmaker Tote has hired Ascot marketing chief Jason Brautigam as racecourse marketing director.

Brautigam will take the position in November after serving a notice period. He has held marketing positions at Ascot over the past six years and previously worked at Tote.

The racecourse marketing director role has been vacant since the departure of Andy Clifton, who left to work as a consultant at the beginning of July this year.

Brautigam will take on marketing and sponsorship activities at the 59 racecourses in the UK for Tote, and will work alongside Tote marketing director Lorraine Brannan. The organisation signed as the headline sponsor for the national cricket league earlier this year (MW March 25).

While at Ascot, Brautigam oversaw the appointment of Mercier Gray to handle its marketing and advertising. He created a press, outdoor and direct mail ad campaign this summer to drive business at Ascot’s “Summer Season” race days.

Tote rebranded earlier this year. Totesport is the umbrella brand for its 400 retail outlets, telephone and online gambling divisions, while its pools betting licence comes under the Totepool banner (MW March 11).

The Government is committed to privatising the business next year. Its exclusive pools betting is the main attraction to potential buyers. Tote is searching for a chief executive following the resignation of John Heaton at the beginning of the year.