Holsapple Communications partners with clients to tell their stories, develop strategy and prepare for diverse media situations. Our team’s background as both journalists and public relations professionals offers a unique perspective and ability to proactively respond to media and build and maintain relationships with reporters, while also crafting and executing strategic internal and external communications plans.
Holsapple Communications is a women business enterprise certified by both the city of Indianapolis and state of Indiana. Our team works with clients in various industries including government, banking, legal, energy and education. We hone clients’ messages and delivery so they can effectively communicate their stories in media interviews, board meetings and other public forums.
Media Relations
Public Outreach
Thought Leadership
Media Training
Crisis Communications
Social Media
Media Training
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.
CLIENTS
Having really cool clients with really cool stories helps make our job fun! Here’s a sample of some of our recent work.
Team
Sarah Holsapple
Founding Principal
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
Principal
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
Senior Account Executive
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.
Anne O’Brien
Account Executive
Anne O’Brien brings over a decade of marketing and communications experience to her role as Account Executive. Prior to joining Holsapple Communications, Anne planned or promoted over 100 annual community events in Carmel such as festivals, media events, and public art unveilings, while serving as a community ambassador in public and to the media as part of the City of Carmel’s Marketing & Community Relations team.
In past roles, Anne has developed a love for on-camera work and production after pivoting to virtual events during the pandemic; led company strategy in the role of Vice President of Marketing & Communications at the Center for the Performing Arts, home of the Palladium, where she assisted in opening multiple venues to the public in a start-up capacity; and honored her entrepreneur-at-heart as a freelance professional where she has launched local event-based communities and brands of her own such as Sweat & Sip Fitness Parties, and Create What You Crave, a community for creatives.
Anne received a bachelor’s degree in arts administration with a music minor from Butler University. She resides in Carmel with her two daughters.
Chelsea Schneider
Account Executive
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.
Sarah Walter
Account Executive
Sarah Walter brings two decades of marketing and communications experience to her role as Account Executive. Prior to joining Holsapple, Sarah served as Senior Director at a large health care coverage organization, leading the company’s strategic communications, brand awareness, digital marketing and advertising campaigns. Sarah also has experience in the higher education, state government and nonprofit sectors, bringing a diverse skill set to the team.
Sarah holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Butler University, and volunteers with Indianapolis Urban League and Wheeler Mission. She lives in the Butler-Tarkington neighborhood of Indianapolis with her husband, two daughters and one very energetic rescue pup.
Laura Wills
Account Manager
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 Smith
Office Manager
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.
