ABOVE ALL ELSE, WE VALUE RELATIONSHIPS

We work at the tip of the spear where business, government, politics, media relations and public relations meet. We build and execute strategies to share our client's messages with targeted audiences to accomplish their goals.

STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS

Our clients have complex goals. Bar Communications helps connect audiences, including legislators, regulators, and members of the media, with those goals in a way that yields positive results.

Messaging

We’ll prepare comprehensive messaging that focuses on a client’s best public assets to build a durable, recognizable brand.

Public Affairs

Navigating municipal, state, and federal regulation can be a pain, but not for Bar. The legislative and rulemaking processes represent an opportunity to advance our clients’ agendas while carefully protecting their assets and their image.

Media Relations

A well-crafted message is essential, but it is useless without effective delivery. We maintain relationships with local media outlets and work with journalists, editors, and news directors to generate coverage for clients’ events and initiatives.

Issue Advocacy

Proposals, in whatever forum, need advocates. Bar Communications locates the stakeholders who will support our clients’ initiatives. We build reliable coalitions to effectively achieve any objective.

Business Development

Sustainable growth is the staple of any successful venture in the long term. Bar Communications has the relationships and access to stakeholders that connects our clients to new consumers and constituents.

Public Relations

At its core, Bar Communications creates mutually beneficial relationships between clients. A public audience might comprise nationwide consumers or specific members of a legislative committee. We reach targeted audiences with precision.

THE BAR TEAM

We are a strategic communications and public affairs consultancy founded in 2010 with offices in Indianapolis and Washington, D.C.

Brad Rateike

FOUNDING PRINCIPAL

brad@barcommunications.com

Brad Rateike is the founding principal of BAR Communications where he has directed public relations strategy and message development for corporate, government and nonprofit clients in the Midwest and in Washington, D.C. since 2010. Brad has created and managed public affairs campaigns for Fortune 50 companies in addition to directing media relations and grassroots outreach for small businesses and startup companies.

Brad took a hiatus from the firm in 2016 to serve as a communications and policy advisor for the Donald J. Trump for President Campaign and the Trump/Pence Presidential Transition Team. After being recruited to join the White House Office of Communications, Brad served as the director of Cabinet communications where he coordinated message strategy and rollout of Presidential priorities with Federal agencies in addition to assisting agencies with crisis management. Additionally, Brad served as the communications lead in assisting Cabinet nominees through the Senate confirmation process.

Prior to founding the firm, Brad served for five years as deputy press secretary and policy director for former Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels. In that role, he handled media outreach and worked with state agencies and external stakeholder groups on grassroots initiatives to advance the governor’s legislative agenda.

In November 2021, Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb appointed Brad to the White River State Park Development Commission. He is also a contributing columnist on business and political issues for the Indianapolis Business Journal and is a volunteer with the White House Office of Presidential Advance.

Brad was selected as a member of the Stanley K. Lacy Executive Leadership Series Class XLI and was recognized as a member of the Indianapolis Business Journal’s “Forty Under 40” Class of 2020. Brad serves as a pro bono communications advisor for the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation and has been a mayoral appointee and chairman of the Indianapolis Citizens Police Complaint Board.

Brad served as an organizational development volunteer in the United States Peace Corps and has experience in trade association management. He received a bachelor’s degree in English from Franklin College, where he was president of the student body.

He is married to Lawren Mills, chair of the public affairs practice group at Ice Miller LLP. They split their time between Indianapolis and Washington, D.C.

Lauren Schregardus

VICE PRESIDENT OF STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS

lauren@barcommunications.com

Lauren Schregardus is Vice President of Strategic Communications for BAR Communications. With more than 15 years in media and public relations at PR agencies, in government and in the private sector, her current focus and passion drive creative, strategic stories for her clients.

She previously worked at Dittoe Public Relations and served as director of communications for iStudio Salons, a growing salon concept started by her husband. In that role, Lauren specialized in direct marketing and internal communications, as well as directing social media and public relations campaigns. During this period, she helped grow the business from three locations to seven locations with nearly 200 salon professionals in three states.

Lauren also served in state government as spokeswoman for former Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Tony Bennett and the Indiana Department of Education as well as director of media relations for the Indiana Family and Social Services Agency.

Lauren graduated summa cum laude from Miami University of Ohio with a bachelor’s degree in communications. She currently serves on the board of directors of Summer Stock Stage and Discovering Broadway, is a Senior Contributor to Indianapolis Moms and is an active alumni of the Hamilton County Leadership Academy. Lauren is a current member of Hoosier PRSA and was their 2022 Pinnacle Award recipient for excellence in public relations. She lives in Carmel, Indiana with her husband, James, and her two children, Andrew and Madison.

Laurel Judkins

STRATEGIC PARTNER

ljudkins@barcommunications.com

Laurel Judkins is a Strategic Partner for BAR Communications. She has over 20 years of public and private sector experience in law, strategic communications, stakeholder engagement, brand and marketing within many industries including global manufacturing, economic development and public safety. 

She most recently served as the Executive Vice President of External Engagement for the Indiana Economic Development Corporation where her team led all marketing, brand and messaging for the state’s economic development strategy, brought to life the Indiana brand for the inaugural Global Economic Summit, and formed valuable partnerships with Andretti Motorsports and Fast Company Inc.. Laurel previously led teams at Cummins, inc. dedicated to the company’s corporate brand and executive communications, including the launch of the company’s first global brand campaign, all trade shows in North America and Europe and the redesign of Cummins.com. She began her career as Assistant Corporation Counsel for the City of Indianapolis and went on to serve as Director of Elections for the Marion County Election Board and Chief Counsel to the late Marion County Prosecutor Terry Curry.

Laurel has served on the boards of multiple civic and non-profit organizations including Employ Indy’s Workforce Investment Board and Growing Places Indy, and currently serves on the Board of Directors for Exodus Refugee Immigration and the City of Indianapolis’ Equal Opportunity Advisory Board. She co-chaired the Public Safety Committee and served on the Executive Committee for the One City Indy Mayoral Transition and is a graduate of the Women’s Fund of Central Indiana OPTIONS program. She has been recognized as a Forty Under 40 leader by the Indianapolis Business Journal.

Laurel is a graduate of Indiana University and the Indiana University Maurer School of Law. She resides in Indianapolis with her two teenagers, Metta and William, and her husband, Craig Von Deylen. 

Aaron Smith

Strategic Partner

aaron@barcommunications.com

Aaron Smith is a Strategic Partner for BAR Communications.

For more than 10 years, he has worked alongside elected officials and leaders in the hospitality & tourism industries to craft creative and strategic solutions. He previously worked as a digital communications director in the United States Senate for Senator Dan Coats. This included responsibilities for the Joint Economic Committee, which Senator Dan Coats chaired, and roles in Coats’ DC and Indiana-based personal offices.

Outside of his role at BAR Communications, Aaron also serves on the Noblesville City Council as its president and representative for the 3rd District. Noblesville is the 9th largest city in Indiana and is home to more than 70,000 residents. In his free time, Aaron serves on the boards of Noblesville Main Street and the Noblesville Chamber of Commerce Foundation. Aaron married his wife, Bronwen, in 2015 and together they have two young children, Declan and Parker.

Jonathan Kopp

DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS

jkopp@barcommunications.com

Jonathan Kopp is the Director of Strategic Communications for BAR Communications. Jonathan has over five years of experience in communications and public affairs, most recently serving as the director of a grassroots energy advocacy organization where he organized support for local projects, educated elected officials, and created and curated content for social media.

Prior to that, Jonathan served the Indiana GOP and Eric Holcomb for Indiana in the communications department, as well as on a U.S. Senate Primary campaign where he worked with the political and communications teams.

Jonathan played soccer at Indiana University — Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) before transferring of Marian University in Indianapolis, where he graduated summa cum laude in Management as a member of the men’s soccer team. He is also a member of the Indiana Leadership Forum Class of 2022, the American Enterprise Institute Millennial Leadership Network, and the Marketing & Communications Co-Chair for the CFA Society of Indianapolis Board. Originally from Avon, Indiana, Jonathan now resides in downtown Indianapolis.

Abbey Moman

DIRECTOR OF CLIENT OPERATIONS

abbey@barcommunications.com

Abbey Moman is the Director of Client Operations for BAR Communications. She has over 10 years of experience in strategic communications, digital marketing and customer experience. She also currently works for indie record label Joyful Noise Recordings as their Online Community Manager. 

She most recently served as the Customer Sales Coordinator at a nationally recognized cabinet manufacturer for almost a decade, in which she was granted the President’s Staff Award for outstanding contributions to both customers and the company. While there, she led social media and blogging efforts, developed branding content and product ideas, and was appointed chair of the Customer Experience-Dealer Experience team. Abbey has previously spent a two year term as secretary for the National Kitchen & Bath Association, Indiana chapter. Additionally, she was an editorial intern at Emmis Communications – Indianapolis Monthly Magazine.

Abbey attended Hanover College and eventually transferred to Purdue University, where she studied English Literature and Professional Writing. While she was an undergraduate, she was nominated for the Professional Writing showcase and performed in the Purduettes varsity choir. She currently resides in downtown Indianapolis with her fiancé and dog.

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