Media Relations
Public Outreach
Thought Leadership
Media Training
Crisis Communications
Social Media
Media interviews can be intimidating, but they don’t have to be. Through our robust media training seminars, we ensure our clients are prepared, polished and professional while working with local and national reporters.
Holsapple Communications’ principals, Sarah Holsapple and Jennifer Erbacher, have vast experience on both sides of the camera as TV journalists and company spokeswomen. Holsapple and Erbacher have trained government employees, public safety professionals, principals of schools and executives to effectively convey their message on TV, on the radio or in print.
During our media trainings, we conduct mock interviews with clients, record the interviews, play them back and critique the clients’ delivery. We offer individual or group sessions and tailor our trainings to meet each client’s specific and unique needs.
Former reporter turned company spokesperson, Sarah Holsapple’s expertise in public relations and media relations comes from her experience on both sides of the camera.
Sarah worked in various Indiana news markets before moving to Indianapolis. Highlights of her TV career include interviewing then Senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama as they stumped their way through Indiana during the primary election in 2008. Sarah eventually left TV to work as a spokesperson for former Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard and then Citizens Energy Group.
Now as the owner of Holsapple Communications, Sarah puts her storytelling skills to use each day for her clients. Whether garnering national media attention for a device to help people combat opioid withdrawal, working with the mayor’s staff to pitch local media stories about new businesses opening or prepping state-level directors for media interviews, Sarah believes every client has a story to tell.
Sarah graduated from the Stanley K. Lacy Executive Leadership Series in 2015, was an active member in the Indianapolis Junior League for nearly a decade and currently serves on the board for Herron High School Young Life. Sarah and her husband live in Indianapolis with their three children.
Holsapple Communications is a Women Business Enterprise certified by the State of Indiana.
Jennifer Erbacher comes to Holsapple Communications with over a decade of experience in media, public relations and strategic communications.
Jennifer spent four years as a television reporter and anchor before joining a national organization to lead their communications, PR, and media relations strategy. There, she served as the organization’s media spokesperson and was responsible for developing strategic communications plans to support large-scale change; supporting the executive team’s thought leadership efforts and public speaking engagements; leading crisis response; and developing local and national media pitches.
Jennifer is a graduate of Miami University’s Richard T. Farmer School of Business, as well as the MIT Sloan School of Management.
Ian Connor joins Holsapple Communications with more than a decade of public relations and marketing experience in both the private and public sectors. Ian started his career in television behind the camera working on the digital side of news. After that he transitioned into public relations, working in a variety of roles for the Indiana Department of Homeland Security, Harrison College, Indiana State Department of Agriculture and most recently at the Von Maur corporate office. All of this experience translates into a vast skill set that is adaptable to any client including writing, social media, website development, crisis communication, event planning and support, print advertising and graphic design. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern Indiana in radio/television broadcasting and currently resides with his wife in Indianapolis.
Chelsea Schneider is an account executive at Holsapple Communications with nearly 15 years of experience in communications. She spent a decade as a newspaper journalist, covering local and state government, politics and education for various news outlets in Indiana, including as part of the Statehouse Bureau team for the IndyStar and Evansville Courier & Press. In 2017, she transitioned to public relations and originated a storytelling position with Aim, the cities and towns membership organization in Indiana. Most recently, she has served as a content lead for various organizations and businesses across the country. Chelsea is passionate about storytelling and helping clients share their missions in a way authentically tailored to them.
Chelsea received bachelor’s degrees in journalism and political science from Franklin College and has a graduate certificate in philanthropic studies from the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at IUPUI. Chelsea resides in Center Grove with her husband and three children.
Laura Wills’ writing, editing and fundraising skills stem from a decade of experience helping nonprofit organizations craft effective communications strategies. Previously, Laura held the role of development coordinator for the Indianapolis Public Library Foundation, where she cultivated donor relationships, served as a media liaison and managed the statewide Eugene & Marilyn Glick Indiana Authors Award. Laura’s passion for storytelling and her writing expertise help our clients effectively convey their messages to a wide range of audiences. Laura has a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Butler University and a master’s degree in library science from Indiana University. Laura lives in Fishers with her husband and three daughters.
Kelly keeps the wheels in motion! As a detail-oriented, schedule-tackling office manager, Kelly tracks client projects, manages communication, schedules events and more. She holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Ball State University and a masters in education administration from Indiana University. Kelly taught elementary school for eleven years which is why she’s so proficient at keeping our team organized and on task! Kelly and her husband Eric live in Zionsville with their two children and two dogs.
Holsapple Communications is the creme de la creme. They got us three major placements almost immediately. I'm still not sure how they did it. Great strategy and very connected!
Emma Frutkin, ZIPS Dry Cleaners Owner/Operator
Holsapple Communications has served as an excellent partner for our organization. Year after year, they secure impactful media opportunities and provide content support around our initiatives, helping to tell our story throughout the community. Sarah is a delight to work with, professional, and a trusted partner.
Ali McNichols, Junior League of Indianapolis
When we launched our co-working space, we had our hands full of details. Thankfully Holsapple Communications took the complexity out of the public relations and launch event details. From talking points and media outreach to coordinating with the Mayor of Indianapolis, Sarah and her team made the process easy and delivered the visibility we were hoping for.
Brian Schutt, Refinery 46 Co-Founder
Working with Holsapple Communications was a game changer for our business. We had a great product but needed assistance with reaching our audience. Holsapple Communications secured several online publications, podcast segments and even a segment on Fox59, which drastically increased the number of women visiting our site and joining our program.
CARI OSCHMAN, CO-FOUNDER OF FIT MAMA IN 30
Sarah was crucial during a stressful transition period at our agency. Her abilities and skillset in communications and media relations helped to create a seamless shift in leadership and set the foundation for success.
Erin Murphy, Communications Dir., Indiana Department of Child Services
I came to Holsapple Communications because of Sarah’s reputation for spearheading successful media campaigns. When we needed it most, Sarah worked with media outlets across the nation to garner attention and support for our innovative technology. Our company’s return on investment can be seen through our substantial uptick in patients contacting us to learn about our life-changing BRIDGE device.
Brian Carrico, President, Innovative Health Solutions
Within a span of 10 days we had a compliance-ready press release, an article in the local business journal and two local stations covering our largest annual client event! Sarah could not have been more responsive and delivered beyond our expectations.
UBS Financial Services
I've been incredibly impressed at how quickly Sarah was able to get results for us. Within only a few weeks of working together, she had already booked multiple interviews for us. Her media savvy and contacts in the news industry are very valuable; she also has done a great job prepping our spokespeople so that the interviews paid off.
Cathy Chapelle, Park Tudor Schools