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Derris

Brand strategy, storytelling, and communications consultancy

Overview

Derris is a brand consultancy based in New York City and London that helps brands tell their stories. The team creates narratives and maps them to the best channels using strategy, positioning, content, and communications. They focus on shaping how brands are perceived and how they engage audiences. Since 2013, Derris has helped disrupt industries and transform entire categories by working with brands such as Warby Parker, Harry’s, Glossier, Everlane, Reformation, Hims, Hudson Yards, and Oscar. Their goal is to help brands stand out, redefine category norms, and reach people more effectively by delivering clear, narrative-driven branding across the right channels.

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About Derris

Simplify's Rating
Why Derris is rated
C+
Rated C on Competitive Edge
Rated B on Growth Potential
Rated C on Differentiation

Industries

ConsultingDesign

Company Size

51-200

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

N/A

Headquarters

New York City, United States

Founded

2013

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Simplify's take

What believers are saying

  • Updated October 2026 site keeps New York and London offices active and hiring-ready.
  • Orchestra's 2024 formation expands cross-sell into executive advisory, crisis, and integrated communications.
  • Derris still markets active brand-building work, showing retained demand despite group integration.

What critics are saying

  • TheOrg shows Derris at 65 people on November 9, 2026, signaling limited scale.
  • Brand consultancy depends on high-growth consumer clients; DTC slowdown cuts retainer growth quickly.
  • Orchestra consolidation can subsume Derris identity and reduce founder-led differentiation within 12 months.

What makes Derris unique

  • March 25, 2024 Orchestra gives Derris 700-plus experts and broader service lines.
  • Derris still owns recognizable consumer-brand storytelling for Warby Parker, Glossier, Everlane, and Reformation.
  • New York and London offices support cross-Atlantic launches, localized execution, and brand expansion.

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Benefits

  • Hybrid Work Options

Company News

PR Newswire
Mar 25th, 2024
Berlinrosen Holdings Is Now Orchestra

Eight firms come together to form a new communications company built for today's media landscapeOrchestra to be made up of BerlinRosen, Derris, Glen Echo Group, Inkhouse, M18, Message Lab, Onward & BrightmodeNEW YORK, March 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- BerlinRosen Holdings today became Orchestra, a new company built for the future of communications that provides clients with access to the top storytellers and strategists in the industry. Orchestra is a network of eight leading agency partners with more than 600 employees from 12 cities across North America and Europe.The Orchestra network partners with companies, organizations and leaders that span a variety of industries including consumer, technology, climate and sustainability, education, healthcare, philanthropy, real estate, travel, hospitality and arts and culture to name a few. The newly formed company is backed by O2 Investment Partners and spearheaded by the co-founders of BerlinRosen , who are guiding Orchestra's growth strategy and building the leadership team."Today's media landscape is complex and requires a whole new approach to capture and sustain attention," said Jonathan Rosen, CEO of Orchestra. "We've invested in the best agency players across key disciplines and assembled integrated teams to offer our clients unparalleled expertise and flexibility for all of their strategic business and communications needs.""We're building a network that allows us to partner with clients facing the most complex challenges at any point in their growth – from brand positioning and influencer activations to regulatory challenges and crisis mitigation," said Valerie Berlin, executive chair of Orchestra. "It's more important than ever to show up in the right channels at the right times with the right story, and companies often need a mix of specialties to be successful.""We are creating storytelling engines to help future-proof brands," said Jesse Derris, chief strategy officer of Orchestra. "Orchestra will continue to expand and grow as the industry quickly evolves and innovates with AI and data analytics tools."Orchestra agency partners include:BerlinRosen , co-founded by Jonathan Rosen and Valerie Berlin , is built to operate with the speed and intensity of a political campaign and takes a 360-degree approach to communications—activating audiences and elevating story above all., co-founded by and , is built to operate with the speed and intensity of a political campaign and takes a 360-degree approach to communications—activating audiences and elevating story above all

BerlinRosen
Mar 27th, 2023
BerlinRosen and Glen Echo Group Launch New Office in Amsterdam

Following BerlinRosen’s acquisition of Derris and its London office, this expansion will strengthen the three firms’ significant reach throughout Europe.

Business Wire
Sep 27th, 2022
BerlinRosen Invests in Leading Brand Consultancy Derris

O2 Investment Partners is pleased to announce that through BerlinRosen, it has made an investment in and partnered with Derris.

PitchBook
Sep 20th, 2022
Berlin Rosen, Ltd. invests into Derris

O2 Investment Partners -backed communications firm BerlinRosen has invested in Derris, a brand consultancy and communications company.

Business Wire
Sep 19th, 2022
Berlinrosen Invests In Leading Brand Consultancy Derris

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--O2 Investment Partners (www.o2investment.com) is pleased to announce that through BerlinRosen, it has made an investment in and partnered with Derris (www.derris.com) and its founder and CEO, Jesse Derris, to grow its brand consultancy and communications practice areas that expand upon BerlinRosen’s current service offering. Terms of the investment were not disclosed. O2 made a significant investment in BerlinRosen in January 2022. Founded by CEO Jesse Derris and Partner Lisa Frank in 2013, Derris is a leading brand consultancy and communications firm known for playing a strategic role in launching and marketing some of the biggest brands in fashion, lifestyle, and other direct-to-consumer sectors over the past decade, including Warby Parker, Everlane, and Glossier. Based in New York, with an additional office in London, UK, Derris employs over 75 individuals who possess a deep understanding of how to position high-growth consumer brands externally as well as maintain positive, proactive internal communications. Jesse [Derris] and Lisa Frank will continue to lead the firm under the Derris brand name while immediately benefitting from the expanded resources and talent of the BerlinRosen network

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