DIANE ROTHSCHILD, 63

By Janine Cheviot

Diane Rothschild, an innovative advertising executive whose work includes memorable ad campaigns for brands such as Range Rover, Volkswagon and J&B Scotch, died on March 31 at her home in Manhattan after a 5-year battle with lung cancer. She was 63.

In 1973, Diane began her advertising career as a copywriter for Doyle Dane Bernbach. By 1986, she was executive vice president, creative director and a member of the agency's New York board of directors. The same year, she and DDB chairman Roy Grace left the agency to start Grace & Rothschild. It was there that she created award-winning campaigns using billboard and print ads. One of the most memorable was the J&B Scotch ad that ran during the 90's Christmas seasons. It read, "'ingle 'ells, 'ingle 'ells -- The Holidays Aren't The Same Without J&B." In 2000, Roy Grace retired and Diane merged her company with Della Femina Jeary & Partners.

In 2005, Diane received the advertising industry's highest honor when she was inducted into the One Club's Creative Hall of Fame. It made her one of only 40 writers, and the first woman to be inducted since 1974.

After learning she had lung cancer, Diane joined the board of the Lung Cancer Alliance and spearheaded a print advertising campaign to create awareness that non-smokers are also at risk. One ad that ran last year said, "This lung cancer patient can't stop smoking. Because she never started."

Diane split her time between Manhattan and Sagaponack. She is survived by her husband, Alan Pando, and daughter, Ali Spencer.

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