Diane Lebold Email and Phone Number

I'm enjoying life without cubicles, but am open to taking on freelance projects -- preferably informational or educational writing for print or web. I happen to be familiar with the financial services industry, particularly 401(k) plans, but am always interested in working in other fields as well.

As an Education Consultant, I developed and managed communications programs for 11 companies who sponsored large 401(k) plans with Vanguard, including Gallo Winery and The New York Times. The programs were designed to educate employees in how to manage and invest in their 401(k) accounts. In this position, I managed a team of four--a writer, designer, production coordinator, and administrative assistant. As a marketing communications writer, I produced a wide range of materials promoting Vanguard products and services for 401(k) plans. Materials included print pieces, website news articles and educational material, video scripts, and slide presentations. I also edited research material and white papers developed by Vanguard Center for Retirement Research, including their extensive yearly analysis of 401(k) plan data, How America Saves. I retired from Vanguard at the end of 2011.

Directed the development and production of all corporate communications, including advertising, press materials, customer education material, technical and collateral materials, video and other presentations, the company website and all trade show exhibits.

Developed advertising and public relations strategies and services for diverse accounts, including a large pharmaceutical company, an international manufacturer of luxury custom kitchens, a large suburban-Philadelphia mall, and many smaller companies. In addition to strategic planning and the development and production of advertising, collateral and press materials, I also wrote articles for trade journals and other periodicals and prepared speeches and presentation materials.

Developed and implemented a complete public-relations program for a new management group who had taken over this national weight-loss company in a leveraged buyout. Hired and directed a New York agency, directed publication of a cookbook with Little Brown, directed media tours of high-level company spokespeople, developed public relations reference guide for franchise owners.

Commodore was one of the earliest producers of affordable home computers. I founded the first magazine for users of the Commodore 64, which, at the time, was the best-selling computer model ever marketed. The process required building a staff and developing content, circulation, and advertising. During my tenure, the publication grew to become a 128-page, monthly newsstand magazine and a company profit center.When the director of communications left the company in 1986, I was appointed to fill that role in addition to my role as publisher of the magazine. Working in collaboration with the vice president of marketing, I directed the efforts of the company’s advertising and public relations agencies.