Challenge:
A foreign-policy think tank specializing in Middle East affairs needed to elevate its executive director as a go-to expert during one of the most closely watched geopolitical moments in recent memory. With escalating conflict in the region dominating global headlines, the organization wanted to break through a crowded and politically polarized media landscape, reaching audiences across the ideological spectrum rather than a single niche.
The think tank engaged Red Banyan®® to secure high-impact earned media that would position its executive director as an authoritative, sought-after voice on the Middle East, Iran, and broader questions of policy and Western security.
Action:
Red Banyan®® built a strategic media relations campaign designed to place the executive director in front of the largest and most influential audiences during peak news cycles. Our team pitched his expertise to national broadcast, cable, print, and digital outlets, timing outreach to fast-moving developments so his analysis landed while the story was at its height.
We secured cable news appearances on the nation’s most-watched network, placed op-eds across publications within his target audience, and booked long-form podcast conversations that let him speak at length and demonstrate the full range of his expertise. Throughout the campaign, Red Banyan®® coordinated rapid-response opportunities, connecting the executive director with reporters covering each new turn in the conflict and reinforcing his standing as a reliable source.
Impact:
Over a single quarter, Red Banyan®® secured more than 68 pieces of coverage, generating an estimated 16.9 million views and more than 5,500 social engagements. The executive director appeared in top-tier outlets including Newsweek, The Telegraph, and The Times of Israel, alongside op-ed placements in national publications that reached his target audience.
A standout win came with a booking on one of the most widely heard radio programs in the country, a nationally syndicated show carried by more than 500 affiliates and reaching over 11 million listeners each week. The appearance allowed the executive director to deliver his analysis on the region’s defining story to a massive national audience at a pivotal moment.
By consistently placing the executive director in front of diverse, high-value audiences, Red Banyan®® helped cement the think tank’s reputation as a leading source of Middle East expertise and policy analysis, trusted by journalists and audiences that matter most to its mission.