Las Vegas Business Press :: Rising Stars : Holly Silvestri

Holly Silvestri

Holly Silvestri does it all: mother, writer, entrepreneur. She is fun-loving and charming but tough when necessary. The 39-year-old San Diego native learned to juggle multiple tasks at once while working as a journalist in Southern California. (She once interviewed O.J. Simpson after his murder trial.) Holly fell in love with writing at a young age, eagerly devouring Nancy Drew and Judy Blume books as a girl. She was entranced by the power of words.

"I always loved writing," Silvestri said. "I knew that it was something I wanted to do."

Silvestri graduated from San Diego State University with a degree in journalism; she wrote for the school paper, The Daily Aztec. Holly joined the workforce as part reporter, part photojournalist for the Chula Vista Star News. She soon learned the ropes, gaining enough experience to land a job with the North County Times.

BILL HUGHES | BUSINESS PRESS
Holly Silvestri, principal, The Ferraro Group

"I love the newspaper industry, meeting new people, interviewing them on a wide range of topics, and then putting things together," Silvestri said. "But I was ready for a change."

Paula Yakubik, a fellow reporter at Chula Vista Star News, had moved to Las Vegas and launched a public relations company called MassMedia. She asked Holly to join her. In 1998, Silvestri moved to Las Vegas and never looked back.

"I was nervous to leave my newspaper career," Silvestri said. "But I was also ready to try something different."

After three years with MassMedia, Silvestri went solo. She launched Impress Communications in 2001. The Las Vegas-based public relations company specializes in small- to medium-sized corporate businesses in several different industries. Their client roster includes such recognizable names as Core Construction, Applied Analysis, EJM Development, JVC Architects, and Orgill Singer Insurance. Impress orchestrated the Las Vegas market launch of Dunkin' Donuts last year, with a coordinated community outreach, branding and media campaign. Its efforts were recognized with a Pinnacle Award from the Las Vegas chapter of the Public Relations Society of America. Her writing abilities have paid big dividends in the public relations business.

"Knowing the reporter's mindset and that deadlines are very important," Silvestri said. "As a writer, you learn the right news angles that make for a successful pitch."

In 2008, Reno-based The Ferraro Group successfully pitched merging with Impress Communications. The move expanded the reach and services of each company. The combined entity, known as The Ferraro Group, has statewide coverage with dual offices and 11 employees. The government, media and public affairs company looks to expand by establishing offices in Sacramento, Calif., and Phoenix.

"We have very little turnover. We work together as a team and we have a lot of fun," said Holly of the company. "It's like a family where we are always there for one another."

Silvestri, meanwhile, stays busy with her own family. She married Robert Silvestri, an insurance professional, in 2002; together, they have identical twin 5-year-old daughters, Ella and Olivia. Holly combines her writing passion with motherhood duties by planning a children's book series.

"It's hard to find time, but I have the outline laid out," Silvestri said with a quietly knowing grin. "I enjoy the creativity."

-- By Tony Illia

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