Welcome to Hennes Paynter Communications

Crisis Communications Specialists

Hennes Paynter - Crisis Communications

Crisis – a situation that has reached a critical phase for which dramatic and extraordinary intervention is
necessary to avoid or repair major damage.

- Harvard Business Review

“The research is very clear that organizations can emerge
from a crisis with a better reputation than if the crisis never
happened, because people see how you handle it under fire.”

- Frank Ovaitt, President & CEO, Institute for Public Relations

"Traditional public relations practitioners want to educate and inform over some period of time. We are crisis communications specialists. It's our job to make your pain stop or go away - now!"

- Bruce Hennes & Barbara Paynter

Hennes Paynter - Crisis Communications Specialists

Founded in 1989 as Hennes Communications, Hennes Paynter Communications LLC is one of the few firms in the U.S. exclusively focused on crisis communications.

In 2009, Hennes Communications became Hennes Paynter Communications LLC, reflecting Barbara Paynter's inclusion as a full partner in the firm, as well as her contributions to the firm's growth. 

Media Training

Hennes Paynter Communications offers a wide range of crisis-oriented services, including Cleveland media training, media relations, litigation communications support, pre-crisis preparation, crisis drills and presentation training.

Today, our firm handles a diverse set of clients from corporations, government agencies, nonprofits, trade associations and professional service firms to hospitals, school systems, colleges and universities that are “on trial” in the Court of Public Opinion. Among the types of crises we have handled: industrial accidents, plant closings and staff reductions, white collar crime, product recalls, food contamination, activist protests and attacks, work stoppages and labor disputes, sudden changes in leadership, medical malpractice, environmental clean-ups… and many others.