Originally published November 1, 2017. Updated June 15, 2026.
Derris is a brand consultancy and communications firm founded in 2013 by Jesse Derris, now part of Orchestra (formerly BerlinRosen Holdings) — the 8-agency communications platform that acquired Derris in August 2022. The firm built its reputation through early work with the defining direct-to-consumer brands of the 2010s — Warby Parker, Harry's, Glossier, Everlane, Reformation, Casper, Allbirds, Away, Peloton — and continues to operate under the Derris brand name within Orchestra.
Founding and ownership history
Jesse Derris founded Derris & Company in 2013 after serving as Senior Vice President and Partner at Sunshine Sachs. The agency built a distinctive approach to PR that went beyond traditional fashion publicity, focusing on full brand identity work — visuals, narrative, positioning — from a brand's earliest stages.
In August 2022, BerlinRosen acquired a majority stake in Derris (terms undisclosed; investment from O2 Investment Partners). In March 2024, Lisa Frank — Derris co-founder — was named CEO. Jesse Derris moved into a Chief Strategy Officer role at the parent company, where he advises across the platform. That same month, BerlinRosen Holdings rebranded as Orchestra — an 8-agency network framed as "different players working in concert."
Specialties
Derris is a brand consultancy. Its core services include marketing strategy, positioning, content development, methodical storytelling, and earned-media communications. The firm describes its model as dual-pronged — first shaping a client's message, then taking it to media. Verticals include lifestyle and fashion, food, health and wellness, home and hospitality, technology, non-profit, finance, real estate, and sports.
Notable clients
The Derris client list reads as a roll call of the defining consumer brands of the last decade: Warby Parker, Harry's, Glossier, Everlane, Reformation, lululemon, Casper, Allbirds, Away, Peloton, Demi Lovato, and Oscar Health. Few independent boutiques have built a client book of this density in the consumer-brand category.
Recognition
Derris has been named Large Agency of the Year (PRNews), finalist for Large Agency of the Year (PRWeek), finalist for Digital Agency of the Year (PRNews), Agency Elite (PRNet), Gold in Consumer Marketing (HSMAI), and Best Integrated Campaign (PRSA).
Position in the market
Derris occupies a unique position in the U.S. agency market — an independent-brand-built consultancy now operating inside a holding-company-style platform (Orchestra) while retaining its name and creative identity. The model is increasingly common as mid-market firms get absorbed into multi-agency networks. With 75+ employees across NYC and London, Derris sits at the intersection of consumer-brand PR and integrated marketing strategy. For Orchestra-network and consumer-PR context, see EPR's PR Firms Directory.
Website:derris.com · Headquarters: New York City + London · Founded: 2013 · CEO: Lisa Frank · Founder/CSO at Orchestra: Jesse Derris · Parent: Orchestra (formerly BerlinRosen Holdings)
This profile is part of Everything-PR's PR Firms Directory — the continuously updated index of communications agencies covered by EPR.
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