Hensley Fontana

Business Details

41 Years

experience

Your Trusted Public Relations & Marketing Partner in Charlotte

Hensley Fontana is a full-service public relations and marketing agency founded in 1985 in Charlotte, North Carolina. With over eight decades of combined communications experience, we provide hands-on account management and strategic campaigns tailored to each client's unique needs. Our boutique agency model allows us to maintain personal involvement while leveraging specialized freelance talent for optimal results. We specialize in hospitality and lifestyle marketing, helping clients cultivate loyal customer relationships through targeted storytelling and media engagement. Our expertise spans diverse industries including restaurants, food and beverage, travel, tourism, healthcare, finance, and nonprofit sectors. As former journalists, we bring impeccable communication skills and established media relationships to every project.

We also operate Queens Feast: Charlotte Restaurant Week, a semi-annual event featuring over 140 restaurants across 10 counties. Our comprehensive services include media relations, crisis communications, social media strategy, and event planning. Founders Bruce and Jill Hensley personally oversee all accounts, ensuring consistent quality and strategic alignment. With decades of experience in print and broadcast journalism, we deliver measurable results through customized marketing solutions. Our commitment to excellence has made us a trusted partner for businesses seeking to enhance their brand visibility and market presence.

Services

Public Relations Media Relations Crisis Communications Social Media Strategy Special Events Market Research Collateral Development Website Content Photography Advertising Creative

Details

Year established: 1985

Highlights and features

We offer 35+ years of combined communications experience in diverse industries
Our boutique agency model ensures personalized attention from experienced professionals
Specialized expertise in hospitality and lifestyle marketing campaigns
We maintain established relationships with media professionals across multiple platforms
Our team combines journalistic integrity with strategic marketing capabilities

Website

Update Listing

Services

Public Relations

Our public relations services create demand for products, services, and brands through strategic media engagement. We craft consistent messaging across press releases, media outreach, and crisis communications to shape public perception. With journalistic expertise and industry connections, we secure media coverage and manage brand reputation for clients in diverse sectors including hospitality, healthcare, and finance.

Media Relations

We develop targeted media relations strategies to position clients as industry leaders. Our services include press kit creation, journalist outreach, and media training for spokespeople. With decades of experience in print, broadcast, and digital media, we secure placements in top-tier publications and coordinate press coverage aligned with clients' marketing objectives across Charlotte and beyond.

Crisis Communications

Our crisis communications services protect brand reputation during challenging situations. We develop proactive response strategies and media protocols to address issues swiftly and professionally. Drawing from extensive experience in high-pressure scenarios, we help clients maintain credibility while navigating public relations challenges across all business sectors and media platforms.

Social Media Strategy

We create customized social media strategies that build brand awareness and customer engagement. Our services include content development, platform management, and analytics tracking to measure campaign effectiveness. By aligning digital efforts with overall marketing goals, we help businesses connect with target audiences through authentic, data-driven social media campaigns.

Special Events

Our special event services encompass planning, promotion, and execution of brand-building experiences. From restaurant grand openings to large-scale festivals like Queens Feast: Charlotte Restaurant Week, we create memorable events that generate media coverage and customer engagement. Our expertise includes venue selection, vendor coordination, and comprehensive marketing support.

People

Bruce Hensley

Co-Founder & Principal

Bruce Hensley, co-founder of Hensley Fontana, brings over 40 years of communications experience. With a background in journalism and public relations, he has developed successful marketing programs for diverse industries including hospitality, tourism, and healthcare. He created NASCAR Adventures TV show and founded Charlotte Restaurant Week.

Jill Hensley

Co-Founder & Principal

Jill Hensley co-founded Hensley Fontana with 30+ years of marketing expertise. She specializes in public relations, event planning, and content creation, having managed publicity for 40+ restaurants. As co-founder of Charlotte Restaurant Week, she combines strategic marketing with hands-on execution to deliver comprehensive client solutions across multiple industries.

Questions

What industries do you specialize in?

We specialize in hospitality and lifestyle marketing, serving restaurants, food and beverage, travel, and tourism clients. Our experience also extends to healthcare, finance, technology, and nonprofit sectors with customized marketing solutions.

What makes your agency different?

As a boutique agency, we provide personal involvement from experienced professionals while accessing specialized freelance talent. Our journalistic backgrounds and media relationships, combined with 35+ years of experience, deliver unique strategic advantages for clients.

Do you handle local and national campaigns?

We manage campaigns at both local and national levels, with particular expertise in Charlotte and surrounding areas. Our media relationships and marketing strategies effectively reach regional audiences while supporting broader brand objectives.

What event marketing services do you offer?

We plan and promote special events including restaurant openings, product launches, and large-scale festivals like Queens Feast: Charlotte Restaurant Week. Our services cover venue selection, vendor coordination, and comprehensive marketing support.

How do you measure campaign success?

We use comprehensive analytics tracking for digital campaigns and monitor media coverage metrics. Our approach combines quantitative measurements with qualitative brand perception assessments to evaluate effectiveness and guide strategy adjustments.