The news: Junior ad jobs are gradually disappearing as the industry faces upheaval.

While overall ad jobs ticked up slightly earlier this year, employment is still trending downward—and younger workers are taking the brunt. US adults ages 20-24 are largely missing from the advertising industry as talent composition undergoes major shifts, and internships are falling consistently.

Behind the shift: The rise of AI in advertising, mounting economic uncertainty, and industry consolidation are leading the trend.

• AI adoption in the advertising industry is beginning to replace processes typically handled by interns and junior employees. As agencies invest in AI to cut labor costs, the industry is shifting away from traditional entry-level training models and toward tech-driven workflows.
• Economic uncertainty and concerns over a recession that would slash ad budgets are also to blame. Ad spending is growing at a notably slower rate and the majority of marketers worldwide are anticipating budget cuts—trickling down to how agencies navigate employment and job opportunities.
• The ad industry is consolidating. Mergers among leading agencies like Interpublic Group and Omnicom are leading to job losses across the board as companies look to save costs—and with many eyeing layoffs, employing junior-level workers isn’t top of mind.

Yes, but: Despite the shift away from entry-level ad jobs, junior employees serve an important role. Gen Z is a critical audience that brands are constantly trying to reach for their buying power—but ad agencies aren’t hiring enough Gen Z staff to shape campaigns that would effectively reach this audience.

Junior employees provide an age balance that prevents limited perspectives in agencies, opening doors for more creative thinking. Because these employees sit closer to emerging social platforms and evolving subcultures, they can spot opportunities senior staff may miss.

Our take: Without a pipeline of entry-level talent, agencies risk eroding their long-term relevance.

• AI may be useful for automating repetitive tasks, but it can’t fully replace the lived experiences and deep understanding of modern consumer behaviors that junior staff members bring to the table. Preserving these roles will remain critical for agencies looking to stay competitive in the fast-moving ad industry.
• While economic fears remain a real concern and threat to the ad industry, uncertainty doesn’t negate the importance of junior employees. The savviest agencies—and the ones most likely to thrive amid uncertainty—will be those who recognize that cultivating young talent isn’t a cost center, but a competitive advantage for authentic campaigns.