Welcome to Hennes Paynter Communications

Crisis Communications Specialists

News Flash

Michael O'Mara, with more than 30 years of experience in media and law,
joins Hennes Paynter Communications as vice president
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Hennes Paynter Communications and Stevens Baron Communications Win
"Best of Show" at the 2009 Public Relations Society of America
Cleveland Rocks Awards Luncheon

Along with another local firm, we won the coveted "Best of Show" award at the
Greater Cleveland Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA)
annual Cleveland Rocks Awards. The award recognizes an outstanding crisis communications program done for King Nut Companies. We also won the Gold PRSA Award for Crisis Communications in Business Products & Services. Click here for more information,
including a link to the actual submission.

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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 the only crisis communications specialty firm in Ohio - and one of the very few firms in the U.S. with that specific focus.

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.

“Bruce Hennes conducts a nuts and bolts no-nonsense crisis comm seminar full of great advice laced with enthusiasm and humor. The time flies as he delivers great, actionable advice.”

Norman Wain
Adjunct Professor, Mass Media
Case Western Reserve University

Our Principals

The firm's principals are Bruce Hennes and Barbara Paynter, APR.

Our staff includes former reporters, newsroom producers and professional communicators with extensive corporate, government and education experience. We are based in Cleveland, Ohio.

The firm is a coalition member of ProtectingAmerica.org and National Preparedness Month (US. Dept. of Homeland Security). We are also active with the Business Emergency Planning Institute.

Hennes Paynter Communications is certified as a Small Business Enterprise.