Derris

Derris is a brand strategy and communications agency based in New York, United States, founded in 2013 by Lisa Frank and Jesse Derris. The firm focuses on building impactful brands through storytelling, ensuring a cohesive vision and narrative across various channels. With a team of over 600 employees across its parent network Orchestra—a strategic communications and marketing network established in 2024—Derris offers a comprehensive suite of services designed to help brands navigate modern markets. Headquartered at 48 W 25th St in New York City, with an additional office in London, the agency has worked with notable brands such as Warby Parker, Reformation, and Everlane.

Services and Specialties

Derris provides a wide range of services that blend brand strategy, communications, and creative execution. The agency’s offerings are built around creating and maintaining brand coherence across all touchpoints, from initial positioning to retail experience design. Key services include:

• Brand strategy and positioning
• Corporate communications
• Media and content creation
• Social media marketing
• Content marketing and storytelling
• Retail strategy and customer experience design
• Event production
• Market entry and brand scaling
• Retail placement strategies
• Copywriting and brand messaging
• Brand identity and development
• Pro-bono branding support for underrepresented founders through Project Mercury

These services are supported by expertise in tech policy, brand loyalty, and industry-changing brand ideas, making Derris a versatile partner for companies at various growth stages.

Who They Help

Derris primarily works with brands in the retail, food and beverage, and consumer goods sectors, often partnering with companies that are scaling or entering new markets. Their client list includes well-known direct-to-consumer brands like Warby Parker, Reformation, and Everlane, which benefit from the agency’s focus on storytelling and brand coherence. The agency also supports underrepresented founders through Project Mercury, a pro-bono initiative that provides branding and communications support. Given their expertise in market entry and brand scaling, Derris is a strong fit for businesses looking to expand their footprint in the United States or globally, particularly those in the lifestyle, fashion, and food sectors.

Approach and Philosophy

Derris’s approach centers on the idea that a brand’s vision and narrative must be consistent across every channel, from product packaging to social media to retail environments. The agency emphasizes strategic thinking over tactical execution, helping clients define their core identity before developing campaigns. This focus on brand coherence is supported by their work in retail experience design and event production, ensuring that the physical and digital expressions of a brand align. Derris also leverages its membership in the Orchestra network to access additional capabilities in marketing and advertising, though the agency maintains its own distinct culture and client relationships. The team prioritizes collaboration and long-term partnerships, often working closely with in-house marketing teams to ensure seamless integration.

Location and Credentials

Headquartered in New York, United States, at 48 W 25th St, Derris benefits from being in one of the world’s most dynamic media and business markets. The agency’s New York office serves as a hub for clients in the retail, fashion, and food industries, while its London office provides a European foothold for international expansion. Founded in 2013, Derris has built a reputation for helping brands achieve recognition and loyalty through thoughtful strategy. The agency is part of Orchestra, a network formed in 2024 that includes multiple partner agencies, giving Derris access to a broader talent pool and resources. This structure allows the firm to offer both the intimacy of a boutique agency and the scale of a larger network.

Derris is a good fit for mid-market to established consumer brands seeking a strategic partner to refine their brand identity, enter new markets, or create cohesive customer experiences. Companies in the retail, food and beverage, or lifestyle sectors—especially those with a strong direct-to-consumer component—will find the agency’s focus on storytelling and brand coherence particularly valuable. The firm’s pro-bono work through Project Mercury also makes it an appealing choice for underrepresented founders looking for expert branding support. While Derris may not suit startups needing purely tactical execution, it excels for brands ready to invest in long-term brand building and market positioning.