Meet Evan Nierman | Founder & CEO

We had the good fortune of connecting with Evan Nierman and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Evan, what principle do you value most?
As a professional communicator and crisis manager, I’ve always ascribed to the principle of fighting for the truth. In fact, “pressing the truth” has become a trademark of Red Banyan and something we are uniquely known for in the industry. News moves extremely fast in today’s day and age, and whether you need to highlight your brand or keep it out of the negative spotlight, it’s no longer enough to just tell the truth – you must “press the truth.” This is the crucial difference between being reactive or proactive with your communications strategy.

What should our readers know about your business?
Red Banyan is a strategic communications agency with a unique specialization in crisis management. We work for a fascinating combination of clients, including corporations, non-profit and advocacy organizations, foreign governments and private individuals. I launched Red Banyan almost a decade ago, and since then, the agency has developed into one of the top crisis communications firms in the country. While we remain headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Red Banyan has branched out across the U.S. and now has offices in various other cities, including Washington, D.C., Atlanta and Los Angeles. 

What sets Red Banyan apart from others? 

Red Banyan’s expertise and specialized focus on crisis management definitely sets us apart from typical commercial PR firms, not only in the state of Florida, but also nationally. At Red Banyan we utilize a S.W.A.T.-team approach to plan and execute our communications strategies. We operate much like a special forces team – ready for action at a moment’s notice and prepared for anything that may come our way. And when organizations or individuals find themselves facing challenges, we step in and help them press the truth and protect both their reputations and bottom line. 

How did you get to where you are today business-wise? Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges?
I began my career in Washington working for one of the country’s leading advocacy groups, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). After years of working at the intersection of policy, communications and politics, I began navigating high-stakes situations and dealing with highly sensitive issues. As the principal of a boutique LA-based PR firm specializing in crisis management, I opened our Washington, D.C. office where I curated some of our most challenging clients. In 2011, I decided to launch Red Banyan. I was driven by a desire to create a different kind of agency –one that truly operates as an extension of its clients. 

Our road to success wasn’t easy, and it took great dedication from my entire team to establish ourselves as a go-to agency for a wide variety of national and international clients. But the challenges haven’t stopped then, of course. As for so many businesses, one of our biggest jolts came with the global coronavirus pandemic. As many of our clients were forced to cut budgets, temporarily shutter or declare bankruptcy, Red Banyan felt the effects. In fact, we were forced to let go of several team members. But we have since returned to our former size and added several outstanding new team members. We pivoted quickly and adjusted our strategy. We developed additional ways to provide rapid response support to companies negatively impacted by recent events. 

Our recently expanded focus on crisis management has enabled us to dramatically increase that aspect of our business. Red Banyan is continuing to grow, and this year officially opened our Los Angeles office. 

What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way?
Throughout my professional career, I’ve learned the importance of continuously working to expand and nurture relationships. The best way to earn the trust and long-term loyalty of your clients is to show not just in word, but also in deed, that you are on their side. In today’s world of transactional interaction, where people grow their social networks as a way to boost influence or earning potential, what is most appreciated is authenticity, especially when it comes to relationships. This is why I don’t differentiate between my personal and professional relationships. My clients and friends both know I am dedicated to them and will always do what I promise. I believe these values of authenticity and accountability have greatly contributed to Red Banyan’s success as a company and will continue to do so in the years to come. 

What you are most proud of or excited about?.
I am proud of my team and the sheer amount of talent we’ve been able to assemble at Red Banyan through the years. I am also very excited about what lies ahead for the company. In an increasingly connected world, having effective public relations capabilities is crucial for every business aiming to succeed. More and more organizations, brands, and business leaders begin to understand this. And with the current media landscape becoming ever more prone to PR crises, Red Banyan definitely has potential for exponential growth in the near future. 

What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
At Red Banyan we believe in always standing by our clients, helping them press the truth and protecting their bottom line. By using strategic communications to defuse tense situations and create the best possible outcomes, our team plays a vital role and directly impacts our clients’ abilities to not only survive but thrive in today’s uncertain times.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
One place that I like to take all friends and family who visit South Florida is Vizcaya, which is stunningly beautiful and for me captures the essence of Miami: artistic, bold, decadent and on the water. It’s hard to top the Latin fare and Cuban coffee you can find in small, family-owned cafes sometimes tucked into nondescript strip malls or wedged between shopping hot spots. I also enjoy showing off Wynwood, with its incredible murals and inspiring energy.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
The success of Red Banyan is due in no small part to my membership for many years in Entrepreneurs Organization, known more commonly as EO. EO is a network of business owners who help one another through professional and personal challenges, and create a community that values learning, vulnerability and integrity. Some of my best friends, colleagues and breakthrough moments on every level and in every aspect of my life, have come through EO experiences.

Website: https://redbanyan.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/redbanyanpr/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/1262164/admin/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RedBanyan
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RedBanyan
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9qcXcEZAV3uSv3uQdleO0Q
Other: https://medium.com/@crisisPR