BerlinRosen is a strategic communications firm co-founded in 2005 by Valerie Berlin and Jonathan Rosen in New York. Built to operate with the speed and intensity of a political campaign, BerlinRosen serves corporate, nonprofit, government, advocacy, and political clients across consumer, technology, climate and sustainability, education, healthcare, philanthropy, real estate, travel, and arts and culture. The firm is the flagship of Orchestra (formerly BerlinRosen Holdings), backed by O2 Investment Partners.
| Founded | 2005 by Valerie Berlin and Jonathan Rosen |
| Headquarters | New York, NY |
| CEO of Orchestra (parent) | Jonathan Rosen |
| Executive Chair | Valerie Berlin |
| President of Orchestra | Jesse Derris |
| Chief Brand Officer | Lisa Bubbers (since May 2025) |
| Parent Company | Orchestra (rebranded March 25, 2024 from BerlinRosen Holdings) |
| Backed By | O2 Investment Partners (private equity, since 2022) |
| Network Size | 10 agencies, 600+ employees, 12 cities |
| Specialties | Strategic communications, public affairs, advocacy, political campaigns, corporate reputation, real estate, climate, healthcare, education |
Overview
BerlinRosen was founded in 2005 by Valerie Berlin and Jonathan Rosen with a distinctive operating model: a communications firm built to move with the speed and intensity of a political campaign. The founders' approach, drawn from progressive political organizing and campaign communications, became the template for the firm's expansion into corporate, nonprofit, advocacy, and government clients.
History and Ownership
Valerie Berlin and Jonathan Rosen co-founded BerlinRosen in 2005 in New York. The firm grew steadily through the 2010s, expanding from political and advocacy roots into corporate communications, real estate, technology, and consumer brand work. In January 2022, O2 Investment Partners — a Michigan-based private equity firm — took a strategic stake.
On March 25, 2024, BerlinRosen Holdings rebranded as Orchestra. Jonathan Rosen became CEO of the holding company; Valerie Berlin became Executive Chair. Jesse Derris was named President of Orchestra. Lisa Bubbers joined as Chief Brand Officer in May 2025. Orchestra now operates 10 agencies — BerlinRosen, Inkhouse, Derris, Glen Echo Group, M18, Message Lab, Onward, Brightmode, Civitas Public Affairs Group, Small Girls PR, and Versus Media Group — with 600+ employees across 12 cities.
Key Milestones
2005: BerlinRosen founded by Valerie Berlin and Jonathan Rosen in New York.
January 2022: O2 Investment Partners took a strategic stake in BerlinRosen Holdings.
May 2023: Acquired Inkhouse — the firm's largest single acquisition.
March 25, 2024: BerlinRosen Holdings rebranded as Orchestra.
2024: Acquired Civitas Public Affairs Group and Small Girls PR.
2025: Versus Media Group launched under Orchestra. Lisa Bubbers joined as Chief Brand Officer.
Services
BerlinRosen delivers integrated capabilities across strategic communications and earned media; public affairs and advocacy; political campaign communications; corporate reputation and crisis; real estate and economic development; ESG, climate, and sustainability; and content, creative, and digital strategy.
Practice Areas
BerlinRosen's practice areas span corporate communications, real estate, climate and sustainability, philanthropy, advocacy and progressive policy organizations, healthcare and education, travel and hospitality, and arts and culture.
Representative Clients
BerlinRosen has worked with major progressive political campaigns, advocacy organizations, real estate developers, and corporate clients. The firm's client base spans the de Blasio mayoral campaign and subsequent administration communications work, major New York real estate developers, climate and sustainability organizations, philanthropic foundations, and Fortune 500 corporate reputation engagements.
Leadership
Jonathan Rosen is CEO of Orchestra (the holding company). Valerie Berlin is Executive Chair. Jesse Derris is President of Orchestra. Lisa Bubbers is Chief Brand Officer (since May 2025).
Awards and Recognition
BerlinRosen has been consistently recognized in industry award programs across political, advocacy, real estate, and corporate communications.
EPR Coverage
Everything-PR has covered BerlinRosen and the Orchestra rebrand extensively. For Inkhouse's profile (acquired by BerlinRosen Holdings in May 2023), see InkHouse: Agency Profile.
FAQ
Is BerlinRosen independent? No. Part of Orchestra, backed by O2 Investment Partners.
Who owns BerlinRosen? Orchestra (rebranded March 2024 from BerlinRosen Holdings). Backed by O2 Investment Partners.
Who is the CEO of BerlinRosen? Jonathan Rosen is CEO of Orchestra. Valerie Berlin is Executive Chair.
How large is BerlinRosen? Flagship of Orchestra, which operates 10 agencies with 600+ employees across 12 cities.
What is Orchestra? The holding company that owns BerlinRosen and nine other operating agencies. Rebranded from BerlinRosen Holdings on March 25, 2024.
Key Takeaways
- BerlinRosen was co-founded in 2005 by Valerie Berlin and Jonathan Rosen — built to operate with the speed of a political campaign.
- Backed by O2 Investment Partners since January 2022. BerlinRosen Holdings rebranded as Orchestra on March 25, 2024.
- Orchestra operates 10 agencies with 600+ employees across 12 cities.
- Jonathan Rosen is CEO of Orchestra; Valerie Berlin is Executive Chair.
- Practice strengths include real estate, progressive political and advocacy, corporate reputation, climate, healthcare, and education.
Related Agency Profiles
Public affairs & advocacy peers: APCO Worldwide · Merritt Group · Rational 360 · Portland Communications · Clyde Group · Global Situation Room · TASC Group · Kivvit (now Avoq)
Orchestra sister agencies: InkHouse (Orchestra company)
Real estate & development PR: The Berman Group · Rubenstein Public Relations · Relevance International
Creative & brand PR peers: Praytell · Day One Agency
Adjacent EPR coverage: PR Agency Profiles Directory · PR Leaders Directory
