Mag. Thomas Huemer

PR & Strategy Consulting

Experience, expertise & success

Mag._Thomas_Huemer

“I know critical situations from both sides of the table: from the inside of politics and business – and as an external advisor in legal proceedings, crises and public controversies.”
– Mag. Thomas Huemer

Clients who engage Thomas Huemer work with an advisor who spent many years as a spokesperson and head of communications himself – in Austria and on the international stage. From his own experience in these roles, he knows how newsrooms decide under deadline pressure, how supervisory boards react to headlines, and what counts in the first hours of a critical situation.

His experience spans a wide, international range: from the strategic and media-focused management of major acquisitions, to the development of crisis management systems, to handling the communications of acute crises – such as refinery fires or the evacuation of personnel from crisis regions – through to advising executives and entrepreneurs in litigation, and serving as media officer in one of Europe’s largest insolvency cases.

Career

Unique expertise and experience from the world of politics and business and as an external consultant

  • Political communications | Austrian Parliament (1996–1999).
    Research associate and press officer. Early experience in how political debates emerge, how they escalate – and how to read them before they reach the media.

  • OMV AG | Press Spokesperson & Head of Media Relations (2001–2009).
    Communications responsibility for the expansion of the listed oil and gas group from 2001 onwards – centred on the strategic communications of the Petrom acquisition (2004), which at around EUR 1.5 billion was the largest foreign acquisition in Austrian corporate history up to that point and made OMV the leading oil and gas group in Central and Eastern Europe. In addition: international media relations for a group with operations and markets in more than a dozen countries, crisis interventions for incidents at refineries, in exploration & production and across the filling station network, and the development of the company’s international crisis communications.

  • Meinl Bank AG | Crisis Communications & Litigation PR (2009–2016).
    Seven years of professional litigation PR support in one of Austria’s most closely watched corporate legal cases – conducted consistently by the rules of transparency and openness: strategic communications involving thousands of investor lawsuits and a multitude of legal proceedings, at state-of-the-art level throughout the entire duration of the proceedings, in close alignment of communications and legal strategy. The toughest schooling this profession has to offer.

  • HS Timber Group (formerly Schweighofer Group) | Head of Corporate Communications (2017–2019).
    Communications responsibility for one of Europe’s leading timber processors during the decisive phase of an international reputation case: following a globally driven NGO campaign with far-reaching consequences extending to certification matters, the task was to rebuild trust at an international level. Thomas Huemer established a transparent, robust communications structure, provided communications support for the company’s new supply chain control systems, and led the dialogue with international NGOs, certification bodies and media across several markets – from the EU to Asia.

  • Gaisberg Consulting | Partner (2019–2024).
    Strategic consulting for special situations: litigation PR, crisis communications and strategic positioning for national and international clients.

  • Thomas Huemer PR & Strategy Consulting (since 2025).
    Independent consultancy for companies, executives and public figures in sensitive communications situations.

At the centre: media officer for the insolvency administrator of SIGNA Prime Selection AG – one of the largest insolvency cases in Europe. Ongoing handling of national and international media enquiries, communications on procedural steps, asset realisations and creditor matters, and positioning of the proceedings amid intensive, sustained coverage extending far beyond Austria.

Alongside this: media support for further insolvency proceedings (including Forstinger) and strategic advice in a multitude of legal matters – from public prosecutors’ investigations and searches of premises to court proceedings.

Degree in History and Political Science, University of Vienna.

In Numbers

Thomas Huemer is an expert in the field of communication and strategy development for companies.

  • 25+ years in strategic communications

  • 17 years as spokesperson for listed and international companies

  • mandates and proceedings with an international dimension – from Central and Eastern Europe to global markets

Values

“When it comes to protecting your reputation and credibility, it takes experience, integrity, strategic skill and stamina in operational delivery. As someone at home both in the world of business and in the world of consulting, I can support you with advice and action from day one of our work together.”

As someone who is at home in both the corporate world and the world of consultants, I can provide you with advice and support from day one of our collaboration.”

Mag. Thomas Huemer

How he works

Thomas Huemer supports you with strategic foresight and reliable execution

  • Discretion is part of the service.
    Confidentiality applies from the very first conversation – what is discussed stays between client, legal counsel and advisor.

  • Direct and personal.
    Clients work directly with Thomas Huemer – from the first call through to delivery. Senior-level counsel, at every stage of the mandate.

  • Aligned with the legal strategy.
    In legal proceedings, Thomas Huemer works closely with his clients’ lawyers. Effective communications strengthen your position – in public and in the proceedings.

  • Internationally effective.
     Experience with Anglo-American NGOs, international media and stakeholders across several markets – for mandates that reach beyond Austria’s borders.

A strong, reliable network

Challenges are diverse – and so is Thomas Huemer’s network: lawyers, journalists, and experts and practitioners from adjacent fields, in Austria and abroad. Whenever a task goes beyond questions of strategic communications, he brings the right partners to the table.

Contact

You need my expertise
and support.

Contact me.