Josh Isay, the co-founder and former CEO of political consulting powerhouse SKDK, is ashifting allegiance to rivals at Orchestra, the umbrella group overseeing BerlinRosen. Isay, known for counseling titans of both the corporate and political realms, will take on a new role as a partner on January 13, according to an announcement cited by Crain's New York.
Orchestra, which was known until last year as BerlinRosen Holdings, is seeking to expand its foothold in strategic communications, and Isay's appointment is seen as a significant move towards that goal. His expertise ranges from serving as Chuck Schumer's 1998 Senate campaign manager to advising on business behemoths such as Amazon and PepsiCo. Isay is tasked with enhancing Orchestra's advisory practice and helping clients marry their communication strategies with their often-complex business objectives. "Josh's extensive experience—from Fortune 50 board rooms to the White House—make him exactly the right person to scale our executive advisory practice at Orchestra and help CEO's and boards navigate an increasingly complex world,” Jonathan Rosen, CEO of Orchestra, expressed in a statement obtained by O'Dwyer's.
Isay's storied career includes being a chief strategist for significant Democratic figures and organizations. During his tenure, SKDK expanded to command a workforce of more than 200 and reported annual revenues of $90 million before he stepped down as CEO in 2022. He aided the Democratic National Committee and was instrumental in crafting narratives for high-profile political campaigns, including those of Presidents Obama and Biden, as well as NYC Mayor Mike Bloomberg.
While the political consulting world is no stranger to high-profile poachings and strategic realignments, Isay's switch is particularly noteworthy. Orchestra, under its previous moniker, had fostered a strong connection with Bill de Blasio's City Hall and is currently engaged with Comptroller Brad Lander’s mayoral campaign, according to details shared by Crain’s New York. Bringing in a veteran operative like Isay could signal a broader reshaping of the landscape as firms vie for influence in an increasingly competitive sector.
This high-stakes game of musical chairs echos throughout the industry. Just as Isay settles into his new role at Orchestra, another significant move takes place across the Pacific. Brunswick Group welcomed Akitsugu Era as a partner in Tokyo to bolster its corporate governance advice, following similar high-profile transitions in the worlds of public affairs and environmental policy, emphasized in the same report by O'Dwyer's. These strategic additions to various firms underscore the ongoing demand for experienced leaders capable of navigating the tightrope walk of today's complex socio-political environment.
