Bob Pickard

Email

65bob65@gmail.com

Phone

310-872-7682

Professional Summary

  • Experienced writer and editor who’s held management positions in internal, external, web and executive communications at IBM, Computer Sciences, Boeing, Candle Corp. and Yahoo.
  • Winner of national awards for feature articles from the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) and mulitple Excellence in Journalism awards from the San Diego Press Club.
  • Principal at Pickard Communications, which provides writing and editing services for clients in business and journalism.
  • Greatest strengths: Humanizing complex topics, delivering key points in clear, compelling prose, and providing comprehensive editing and proofreading skills.

Experience

Principal - Pickard Communications

Specializing in writing and editing services for clients in journalism and business. Clients have included Adobe, Wix, VMWare, McSweeney's Internet Tendency, the San Diego Union-Tribune, AOL Patch website and regional feature magazines.

Manager, Marketing Communications - Yahoo!

Wrote and planned coverage for two customer-facing blogs focused on web advertising trends and Yahoo’s ad solutions, averaging 3-4 new posts a week. Provided social media support and helped boost page views by 60%.

Manager, External Communications - Boeing Space & Intelligence Systems

Created and executed publicity activities to highlight Boeing’s support of U.S. Air Force military communications satellite programs. Wrote press releases, backgrounders, and a wide variety of marketing materials. Included onsite support to Boeing executives at Cape Canaveral launches.

Manager, Web and Executive Communications - IBM Tivoli Software

  • Lead writer for Tivoli’s top executive; produced up to 30 PowerPoints and speeches annually.
  • Organized, wrote, and hosted executive podcasts to drive attendance for a major customer event; exceeded goal with a turnout of more than 5,000 customers.

Senior Director, Employee and Executive Communications - Candle Corporation

  • Wrote presentations, quarterly updates, and memos for Candle president to communicate management decisions and actions to global employee audience.
  • Started company’s first regular internal online publication, the weekly Candle News, to educate global workforce on company and industry news and trends. Created company’s first style guide for writers.

Manager, Publications and Publicity - Computer Sciences Corporation

  • Led a team of writers and designers that produced CSC World, the company's award-winning quarterly magazine; a bi-monthly technology update; and CSC Daily News, which reported on industry issues and trends. Also handled media relations during an attempted hostile takeover.
  • Won national and regional writing awards for feature writing from International Association of Business Communicators (IABC). Started company’s first internal online news bulletin, CSC Daily News.

Education

Bachelor of Arts , English - University of California, Berkeley

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