Ohio's Only Crisis Communications Firm Changes Name
Hennes Paynter Communications is the new name of Ohio's only public relations agency - and one of the few in the country - focused exclusively on crisis communications. Founded in 1989 by Bruce Hennes, the firm added Barbara Paynter to the formal firm nameplate to recognize Paynter's inclusion as a full partner in the firm and because of the contributions she has made to the firm's growth over the past three years.
Cleveland, Ohio (PRWEB) October 14, 2009
Hennes Paynter Communications is the new name of Ohio's only public relations agency - and one of the few in the country - focused exclusively on crisis communications.
Founded in 1989 by Bruce Hennes, the firm added Barbara Paynter to the formal firm nameplate to recognize Paynter's inclusion as a full partner in the firm and because of the contributions she has made to the firm's growth over the past three years.
For several years, Paynter served "of counsel" to the firm, which specializes in crisis communications, media training, media relations and litigation communications. Together, Hennes and Paynter have more than 60 years of experience in public relations, media relations, crisis communications and journalism.
Bruce Hennes has more than 30 years experience working in politics and public relations. He opened his own communications firm in 1989, and in 2002 formed Hennes Communications to focus exclusively on crisis communications.
Hennes is one of Cleveland's best-known crisis communication specialists and media trainers, often speaking before bar and trade associations on the subject of crisis communications. He also frequently speaks to mayors, police, fire, education and other government officials on the subject of "Extreme Crisis Communications" - i. e., how to handle mass casualty incidents and other "extreme" situations involving threats to life and limb - in seminars sponsored by County Emergency Management Agencies.
Hennes serves on the boards of the Business Emergency Planning Institute, Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association and Cleveland Leadership Center.
Paynter heads up the Hennes Paynter Crisis Comm SWAT Team. Her specialties include crisis and environmental communications, media relations, media training and litigation support.
She previously served as senior vice president with Edward Howard, a full-service public relations agency based in Cleveland, and as director of university relations for Walsh University in North Canton. She began her career as a newspaper reporter and editor, working for newspapers in Georgia, Mississippi, Texas and Ohio.
Paynter's work has been recognized with a Silver Anvil from the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), several Cleveland Rocks Awards from the Greater Cleveland Chapter of PRSA, and a Gold SABRE Award from The Holmes Group.
She is an accredited member of PRSA and has served as president of both the Cleveland and Akron chapters. She is the public representative on the board of the Federal Bar Association-Northern District of Ohio Chapter and serves on the board of Walsh Jesuit High School in Cuyahoga Falls.
About Hennes Paynter Communications LLC
Headquartered in Cleveland, Hennes Paynter Communications provides crisis communications, media training and litigation communications support to clients in the health care, manufacturing, education, government, non-profit and professional service industries. The firm is a coalition member of ProtectingAmerica. org and National Preparedness Month (US. Department of Homeland Security). Recent clients include Avery Dennison, KeyBank, MetroHealth System, Akron General Health System, Cuyahoga Community College, Summit County Port Authority, The Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District, Jewish Community Federation, John Carroll University, NASA, Westfield Insurance and many of the leading law firms in Northeast Ohio. It is the only agency in Ohio focused exclusively on crisis communications. More information is available at http://www. crisiscommunications. com (http://www. crisiscommunications. com).
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