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Crisis Communications Today

Formerly Crisis Management Today
April 5, 2025
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Our Perspective

The ArtificiaI Intelligence Era Is Here – How Schools Can Communicate About It Intelligently
By Thom Fladung, Hennes Communications
AI is rapidly reshaping education, yet many schools lack clear policies or communication strategies. With widespread student use and growing administrative adoption, districts must act now—developing guidelines, prioritizing transparency, and preparing communities for AI’s impact on teaching, privacy, and trust—to ensure they lead, not lag, in this technological shift.
Board Making Difficult Decision
Speaking Out or Staying Silent: A Guide to Creating Communications Plans for Bar Associations (and other nonprofits)
By Nick Hansen, American Bar Association
“If you can see it coming, it’s not a crisis,” said Bruce Hennes, CEO of Hennes Communications, to audience members at a Bar Leadership Institute workshop. ”Hennes, along with (now former) Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association (CMBA) CEO Becky Ruppert McMahon, explained why it is important for bars (and other nonprofits) to develop a communications plan for when a rapid response is needed or to proactively comment on a situation.

Featured Article

Collaborating in a Crisis
Crisis Communications: Before, During, and After Disasters
In all the years we've published Crisis Communications Today, we don't believe we've ever written "This is a MUST-READ article."  This one is.

Crisis communication training and real-world disasters are interconnected. This article highlights how lessons from classrooms prepare public information officers for emergencies—and how those on-the-ground experiences, from bridge collapses to wildfires, continually reshape and improve future training to save lives.

In the News

How to Leak to a Journalist
This article offers guidance for individuals considering sharing confidential information with the press. It emphasizes understanding the risks involved, choosing trustworthy journalists, and using secure communication methods like encrypted emails or specialized platforms to protect anonymity and ensure information integrity.
A Perspective on Communications and Cross-Department Collaboration
In associations, where communications teams are often small, effective collaboration with other teams is a must. Discover practical strategies for building strong internal relationships, establishing your role, and streamlining workflows.
Battling the Waves: How a Crisis Communication Playbook Keeps Your Organization Afloat
They say “failing to prepare is preparing to fail”, but in today’s world of growing and varied crises, what does real preparation look like? We’re told to “expect the unexpected,” but how does that translate into tangible actions to protect businesses and organizations when the stakes are so high?
How Much Could Your Next Crisis Cost?
The Crisis 300 Index reveals that corporate crises cause average share value drops of 35.2% and EPS declines of 68.9%, with some industries hit harder than others. CEO behavior and reputation play a major role, underscoring the urgent need for proactive crisis planning.
Integrating PR
The Death of Traditional PR and How Brands Can Win in a Changing Media Landscape
PR remains essential, but to thrive in today’s fragmented media landscape, it must integrate with marketing, social media, and data-driven strategies. Traditional media is shrinking, crises erupt instantly, and storytelling must now be agile, multichannel, and influencer-savvy to shape perception and build lasting trust.
The Elements of Meaningful Conversation: Fewer Mirror Questions, More Follow-Ups
In conversations, four question types emerge: introductory, mirror, topic-switching, and follow-up. While mirror and introductory questions serve basic functions, follow-ups build connection and likability, and topic-switching reinvigorates dialogue. Effective communication relies on moving beyond politeness to curiosity, depth, and thoughtful engagement.
COSSBA
Consortium of State School Boards Associations Names Hennes Communications as Preferred Provider of Crisis Communications Services
We are pleased to remind that Hennes Communications has been named Preferred Provider of Crisis Communications Services for the Consortium of State School Boards Associations (COSSBA). COSSBA represents 25 state school boards associations across the United States, serving more than 7,700 local public school districts.
Scripps College & Hennes Communications
If You Attended One of Our Seminars in the Last Few Years, We Can Help Arrange for You to Receive One Free Credit Hour Towards a Graduate Certificate in Crisis Communications 
Did you attend a crisis communications seminar taught by Bruce Hennes in the last few years? If so, here's how you can receive one free credit hour (valued at $525) towards a graduate certificate in crisis communication from the prestigious Scripps College of Communication at Ohio University.

Our Upcoming Seminars

4/25/25 Private Seminar
5/20/25 Managing Partner Bootcamp
5/21/25 Cleveland Southwest Safety Council
6/26/25 Consortium of State School Boards Association - Education Safety Conference
9/23/25 Ohio Trucking Association
10/15/25 Private Seminar
10/21/25 Managing Partner Bootcamp     
11/18/25 Private Seminar 
        
Hennes & School Boards Associations
Hennes Communications Ranked for Crisis Communications
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