Here's What People Have to Say About Us

The media/crisis training you gave us recently paid off.   Our people did and said exactly what they were supposed to and every media report included our key messages.   Your training couldn't have been more on-point and timely.

Jonathan Evans, Communications Director
Evonik

"The Hennes Paynter Team has been, and continues to be, an extremely valuable resource to myself and to RTA. They have the skills to quickly and accurately respond, analyze the situation and then work to effectively develop and implement the appropriate communications plan."

Joseph Calabrese, General Manager
The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority

"Barb did a great job. She was responsive and persuasive in moving us to take her advice, while taking our input. We are very pleased."

Robert C. Smith, President & CEO
Spero-Smith Investment Advisers, Inc.

"Bruce Hennes is the Master of Disaster."

Becca Braun, (former) Chief Development Officer
JumpStart, Inc.

"Barb Paynter worked with Legal Aid on a short-term public relations project focused on print media. She was phenomenal! After an initial meeting with our leadership staff, she was able to help us better highlight the key issues so we could effectively work with the various newspaper editorial boards. She continued to work with us and helped us prepare for subsequent meetings and articles. The outcome was better than expected – Barb’s assistance helped us not only with the short-term public relations project, but we now have a good long-term relationship with key newspaper staff. Thank you, Hennes Paynter Communications !!!"

Melanie A. Shakarian, Esq., Director of Development
The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland

"Thanks to Bruce Hennes for coming to Coshocton County, Ohio to do his "Extreme Crisis Communications" presentation.  I was glad that our health department was able to support this effort and that so many of our employees - and other government officials - attended. Because of the training, I was able to serve as spokesman for our agency during the recent H1N1 Swine Flu situation and conduct the press conference in a professional manner. We used his forms and techniques to prepare for all of our encounters with the media, predicting all of their questions in advance and serving the public with transparency, You can read about the results of our media relations in a laudatory editorial that ran in a local newspaper. Government and health officials across the board should receive the crisis and risk communications training he offers."

D. J. McFadden, M.D., M.P.H.
Holmes County (Ohio) Health Commissioner

"I found myself agreeing with everything Bruce Hennes said. Hennes is a crisis communications specialist based in Cleveland.  The Coshocton and Holmes County Health Departments brought him to Coshocton to speak with area politicians, public health officials and business leaders. I hope they heed his words. And I'm sorry that some area leaders didn't get to hear it. They - and the citizens and customers they serve - would benefit greatly from it as well."

Len LaCara, Managing Editor
The Coshocton Tribune & Zanesville Times Recorder

" One hour with Bruce is worth it. He’s a real expert with real applicable knowledge…and he’s interesting !!"

David J. Janus, Cleveland Regional President
First Merit Bank

" Every lawyer who acts as litigation counsel or corporate counsel to a business or institution should be familiar with the principles and practical considerations conveyed in Bruce's program because coverage and public reaction can be such powerful factors when a client is involved in litigation or faces some type of business crisis."

Deborah Coleman
Partner Hahn Loeser + Parks LLP

When Superstorm Hurricane Sandy hit we were ready. BlueBridge Networks is in the business of keeping businesses in business, so we turned to our playbook and lessons learned - the lessons and advice of Bruce Hennes. First: stay in front of the issue. Second: control the message. Third: tell the truth and tell it often. Having had the benefit and advantage of hearing Bruce at American Red Cross Business Emergency Preparedness Seminars, we were trained and prepared to execute our Disaster Recovery - Business Continuity Plan. Now, more than ever, we fully recognize the importance of communication plans in a successful and seamless event resolution.  Bruce Hennes understands the Court of Public Opinion and can help any organization from a tactical and strategic perspective in the arena of crisis communication. We were able to walk through lessons learned as a team and applied them to our situation. And when we triggered that plan, Bruce's team reassured us that our approach was wise, with reminders to refine the message and bring proper closure.

Kevin Goodman
Managing Director, Partner BlueBridge Networks

"An insightful introduction to the art of media relations for professionals who may not be aware of the special skill set required."

Dr. Mike Weiss, Professor and Chair
Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry

" I have had the pleasure of attending a presentation by Bruce Hennes on media relations. It provided excellent content that is very useful and instructive to lawyers, and provides important insights that enable lawyers to effectively serve clients facing media issues and to do so in an ethical and professional manner."

Gerald Korngold, Former Dean
Case Western Reserve University School of Law

"Invaluable media instruction for local public officials."

Ken Krause
Municipal Law Director

"It was a real pleasure watching a 'Best-in-Class' pro on the platform. You engaged us with the first words out of your mouth. Your comments were clear, simple, well-organized and easy to follow. Your casual in-your-face style was energetic, dramatic, humorous and very easy to listen to. Like I said, a real pro at work. And did I thank you yet for not using PowerPoint? How refreshing to see a content expert not have to rely on it."

Phil Stella, President
Effective Training & Communications

"With Bruce's strategic guidance and understanding of public relations and community relations issues, our business has grown. "

John Zagara
Zagara's Marketplace

"Bruce's presentation for the Greater Lorain County SHRM was not only professional but extremely interesting. Bruce discussed current events that relate to everyday issues that arise in the workplace. He provided excellent tips on how companies should prepare for and more importantly, appropriately handle crisis communication!
Our group was most impressed with Bruce."

Lisa Satonick, VP Programs
Greater Lorain County SHRM

"We just finished our quarterly Investment Committee meeting and I can unequivocally identify multiple benefits from our training and preparations with you. We sharpened the focus of our written materials, improved the delivery of our verbal presentations and implemented several of your helpful suggestions to reduce the shortcomings of our meeting space. In short, it went very, very well!"

Sally J. Staley, Chief Investment Officer
Case Western Reserve University

"Don't wait until one of the TV investigative reporters shows up with camera in tow to decide you need training in dealing with the media."

Dale Canter,Chief of Police
Richfield, Ohio

"I now have more insight and confidence in media relations in addressing a crisis."

Jack Crivel, Chief of Police
Pepper Pike, Ohio

"I now have the confidence I need to go in front of the television cameras and answer the tough questions !"

Trenton H. Brown, Patrolman
Brook Park (Ohio) Police Department

"Great information to have as we all learn to live under the media microscope."

Dave Handwerk, Mayor
City of Orrville, Ohio

"Barb Paynter was a voice of reason, helping hone in on key issues, messages and processes for our client. It has been a pleasure to have your professional resources for (COMPANY NAME REDACTED)."

Val Hoover, Esq.
Kohrman, Jackson & Krantz

"Performance excellence is a reflection of a professional sharing and coaching commitment. Every time you and your team come to Westfield, we are the beneficiaries of the skills and knowledge delivered by the pros in the crisis comm and media relations business."

Ron Zambetti, Director of Security
Westfield Insurance

"Bruce’s media training is a must for corporate, civic and government leaders who are or may be in the media spotlight at any point in their careers. His training prepared me for media interactions in every conceivable format, including daily print, magazines, radio, television and webcasting. Until I worked with Bruce, I had no understanding of the complexity and variability in each format and how to shape my message appropriately to maximize my impact. His ongoing coaching enables me to continue to improve my style, delivery and, bottom line, my impact. He also provided me with a series of easy-to-remember, highly effective tips to use on an ongoing basis; they have been invaluable in saving me from me. Most importantly, Bruce is always available in a pinch if you need him. Thank you, Bruce!!"

David J. Akers, Executive Director
Northeast Ohio Sourcing Office

"I've attended many media-related training seminars in my 21 years as Chief. This is by far the best."

John Maddox, Police Chief Police, Middleburg Heights, Ohio
President, Cuyahoga County Police Chiefs' Association

"I have to say that your seminar yesterday (Extreme Crisis Communications, sponsored by the Cuyahoga County Emergency Management Agency) was one of the best -- if not the best -- seminar I have ever attended. I would describe it as informative, educational, enjoyable, a 'must attend' seminar. Great job."

Jim Majer, Former City of Cleveland Emergency Operations Center Manager
& Chief Planner, Office of Homeland Security, Dept. of Public Safety

"I have had the pleasure of attending a presentation by Bruce Hennes on media relations. It provided excellent content that is very useful and instructive to lawyers, and provides important insights that enable lawyers to effectively serve clients facing media issues and to do so in an ethical and professional manner."

Gerald Korngold, Former Dean
Case Western Reserve University School of Law

"I really enjoyed your presentation particularly as it reinforced my teaching points for a class I teach at UA for sociology, political science, communications and emergency management students - The Social Impact of Disasters. It's always good for the soul when an experienced professional emphasizes the importance of the same points!"

AnneMarie Scarisbrick-Hauser, PhD, Adjunct Professor
University of Akron, Ohio
Principal, H.A. Praxis Solutions

"I have attended several of Bruce's programs. Outstanding! I am not sure there is another person in town with the type of insight and media savvy that Bruce brings to the table. His program is a must for every executive."

Pat Perry, President
Employers Resource Council

"I have attended many seminars and training classes over the years, the majority of which were not worth the time spent. To find training that is high quality and can be of immediate benefit to you in your job is a rare find. The day I spent with Bruce Hennes was one of those finds."

Steve Finical
Summit County Sheriff's Office

"Having spent hours putting together the curriculum for the Emergency Succession Planning program, I will try not to feel sensitive about the fact that the participants ranked your presentation the best part of the program ! Seriously, you were great, as usual, and provided vital information about crisis communications. Thank you so much for your flexibility and great sacrifice in delaying your trip to Chicago ! It's always a pleasure to work with you."

Susan Freimark, Former Director,
Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs, Cleveland State University
Center for Nonprofit Policy & Practice