Crisis Comms Powerhouse: AKCG Acquires Hennes in Strategic Merger

GLASSBORO, N.J. – May 05, 2026 – In a significant move that underscores a major trend of consolidation within the public relations industry, AKCG – Public Relations Counselors today announced its acquisition of Hennes Communications, a nationally renowned crisis communications agency. The deal unites two long-standing specialists in reputation management, creating a more formidable entity poised to navigate an increasingly complex and volatile business landscape.

New Jersey-based AKCG, which has served clients nationwide since 1982, will integrate the Cleveland-based Hennes team into a new, dedicated division. The acquisition expands AKCG’s geographic footprint and deepens its bench of senior-level crisis experts, combining AKCG’s rapid growth trajectory with Hennes's four decades of specialized crisis and litigation communications experience.

A Strategic Union of Crisis Management Leaders

The merger formalizes a union of two firms that have built their reputations on guiding organizations through high-stakes, sensitive situations. The combined agency will offer a full suite of services, including crisis planning, immediate response management, spokesperson training, and media relations.

"Reputation management is an essential management function, and we are excited to grow our AKCG team with the talented folks from Hennes Communications," said Chris Lukach, APR, CEO at AKCG. "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."

The leadership of the acquired firm will remain integral to the new structure. Bruce Hennes, who founded his agency in 1989, will serve as president of AKCG's new Hennes division, with his colleague Thom Fladung taking the role of vice president. For Hennes, the move was a strategic step toward ensuring the firm's future and expanding its capabilities.

"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," said Bruce Hennes. "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."

Market Pressures Fuel Industry Consolidation

The AKCG-Hennes deal is not happening in a vacuum. It is emblematic of a "red-hot" market for mergers and acquisitions within the strategic communications sector, particularly for firms specializing in crisis management. This trend is fueled by a global environment fraught with uncertainty, where the need for expert reputational defense has never been greater.

According to a 2023 PwC study, a staggering 91% of companies experienced at least one significant disruption in the preceding year. This has propelled crisis preparedness from a 'nice-to-have' to a board-level imperative. The same study found that 86% of business leaders plan to increase their investment in building resilience and crisis management capabilities. This surging demand has made specialized agencies like Hennes attractive acquisition targets for larger firms looking to instantly bolt on deep expertise and a proven track record.

The industry is responding to a world where crises erupt and escalate with unprecedented speed, largely driven by social media and the 24/7 news cycle. This necessitates a shift from purely reactive responses to proactive, comprehensive planning, a core service for both AKCG and Hennes. By merging, they create a larger, more robust platform capable of serving a broader range of clients facing these modern challenges.

Combining Rapid Growth with Niche Expertise

This acquisition represents a powerful synergy between AKCG's accelerated growth and Hennes's deep-seated, niche credibility. Since 2021, AKCG has tripled in size and has been a multi-year honoree on the Inc. 5000 list of America's fastest-growing private companies. This expansion has been particularly strong in the high-stakes sectors of healthcare and education, areas where reputational threats can have profound consequences.

While AKCG brings scale and a diversified PR platform, Hennes Communications brings an almost singular focus and an elite reputation. It is one of only a handful of firms in North America dedicated exclusively to crisis management and is one of only 20 firms nationally to be ranked in the Crisis PR category by the prestigious Chambers and Partners. The firm has advised a wide array of clients, from Fortune 500 companies like Goodyear to government agencies like NASA and numerous law firms, educational institutions, and nonprofits.

This expertise is particularly pronounced in the legal arena, where founder Bruce Hennes has been recognized by Lawdragon as a Global 100 Leader in Legal Strategy and Consulting. The Hennes team is composed entirely of senior-level consultants, many with backgrounds in journalism and law, who provide immediate, seasoned counsel. This merger effectively embeds that highly specialized DNA within AKCG’s larger, growing infrastructure.

Navigating the Modern Maze of Reputational Risk

For clients, the combination of AKCG and Hennes promises a more comprehensive shield against the multifaceted risks of the modern era. The challenges extend beyond a negative news story to include cyber-attacks, supply chain disruptions, employee activism, and the pervasive threat of AI-driven misinformation. Successfully managing a crisis today requires a multi-disciplinary team that can handle legal implications, internal communications, stakeholder engagement, and a rapidly shifting digital media landscape.

With a combined team of more than 20 professionals across offices in the Greater Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., and now Cleveland regions, the integrated firm is better positioned to provide this holistic support. The move gives Hennes's existing clients access to AKCG's broader resources, while AKCG's clients gain direct access to one of the most respected names in crisis-specific counsel. This strategic acquisition is a clear signal that in the business of reputation, specialized expertise combined with scale is becoming the new standard for effective defense.