AKCG – Public Relations Counselors announced the acquisition of Cleveland-based crisis communications agency Hennes Communications, expanding the firm’s national reputation management and crisis advisory platform. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Founded in 1989 by Bruce Hennes, Hennes Communications has built a national reputation advising organizations on crisis communications, crisis preparedness, media relations, spokesperson training, and reputation management.
The acquisition combines two long-established crisis communications agencies and expands AKCG’s capabilities across sensitive corporate, institutional, and public-facing communications matters.
Following the transaction, Hennes Communications will operate as a division within AKCG. Bruce Hennes and Thom Fladung will serve respectively as founder and vice president of the new Hennes division within the combined organization.
AKCG said the acquisition strengthens its ability to provide crisis communications response, crisis planning, media training, and reputation management services to clients nationwide.
Headquartered in the Greater Philadelphia region, AKCG has expanded significantly in recent years, particularly across education and healthcare sectors. Since 2021, the company said it has tripled in size and now employs more than 20 professionals across offices in the Greater Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., and Cleveland regions.
The firm stated that the acquisition reflects growing demand for reputation management and strategic communications expertise as organizations navigate increasingly complex public environments and crisis situations.
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“Reputation management is an essential management function, and we are excited to grow our AKCG team with the talented folks from Hennes Communications.”
“This acquisition reflects the depth of expertise in our craft, as well as our commitment to delivering impactful results to our partners operating in sensitive, nuanced and pivotal moments.”
Chris Lukach, APR, CEO, AKCG
“As we considered a succession plan, we knew partnering with a larger agency would be of great benefit to our existing clients as well as to future clients who come to us when facing sudden crisis situations or those seeking our expertise before something happens.”
“We met with several potential partners, and after getting to know the AKCG team, seeing their sustained growth, and hearing directly from its counselors, it became clear they were the right fit to carry forward the Hennes legacy.”
Bruce Hennes, Founder, Hennes Communications
