We’re Not Hennes Paynter Anymore

Hennes Paynter Communications, one of the few firms in the U.S. focused exclusively on crisis communications and reputation management, is now Hennes Communications. The firm also offers litigation communications and media training services to its clients that are “on trial” in the Court of Public Opinion. The change follows the departure of former partner Barbara Paynter, […]
The Difference Between Reporters & Publicists

From The American Lawyer: Typically, I prefer to say what I’m about to say one-on-one, when you can hear from my tone of voice that I’m not trying to be preachy or patronizing. But our newsroom has had several incidents in the past month that make me think it’s a good idea to discuss the […]
Reputation Watch – Lawsuits’ Lurid Details Draw an Online Crowd

Every lawyer knows that if they call a press conference, lay out allegations of misconduct, and later on those allegations are defamatory, they can easily get sued. But if the lawyer files suit and the media downloads and widely publicizes those same allegations, the lawyer is likely safe. More and more, first court filings are […]
How to Obtain Social Media Data for Defending Lawsuits

Knowing what the lawyers are looking for – and how they ask for that data – can help you preemptively defend the reputation of your organization. This article from CorporateCounsel is a good start. Photo Credit: CorporateCounsel
Bill Cosby’s Team Comes Out Swinging Against Accusers
[by Bruce Hennes] Bill Cosby has repeatedly refused to talk about decades-old allegations of sexual misconduct. Meanwhile, his legal team has launched an aggressive, organized and expensive effort to quash accusations by attacking the accusers’ characters and motives, according to The New York Times. Sure, it’s possible that Cosby is not guilty of any of […]
Risky Business
[by Bruce Hennes] According to Reputation Dividend, a company that helps quantify the economic value of reputation for publicly held businesses, few CEOs would argue that their corporate reputation isn’t one of their company’s most precious assets. Giving thought to the difference between ‘brand’ and ‘reputation,’ Sandra Macleod writes, “The value and importance of a […]
General Motors – Where Were the Truth-Tellers?
[by Bruce Hennes] According to this week’s New York Times, ”It was nearly five years ago that any doubts were laid to rest among engineers at General Motors about a dangerous and faulty ignition switch. At a meeting on May 15, 2009, they learned that data in the black boxes of Chevrolet Cobalts confirmed a […]