17285: Strongest Job Growth In More Than A Year To Be Followed By Biggest Job Shrinkage…?

Advertising Age published the monthly employment report for US advertising, public relations, and related services—and here’s the topline summary:

 

Employment in advertising, public relations and related services jumped by 2,200 jobs in November, the strongest growth in more than a year.

 

Advertising, PR and related services

 

U.S. employment in the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) classification of advertising, PR and related services increased to 494,800 jobs in November based on seasonally adjusted figures, a gain of 2,200 jobs from October.

 

That’s the biggest monthly gain since April 2024, a surprising positive sign as the nation’s overall employment picture has weakened.

 

BLS figures released today also show that ad employment in October fell by 500 jobs vs. September.

 

BLS revised September’s figure to a loss of 2,000 jobs from a previously reported preliminary loss of 800 jobs vs. August.

 

In the past six months, advertising employment showed gains in four months and losses in two months (September and October). With November’s rebound, ad employment last month was almost unchanged from where it stood in July.

 

This BLS jobs bucket includes ad agencies, PR agencies and related services such as media buying, media reps, outdoor advertising, direct mail and other services related to advertising. Ad agencies account for the biggest portion—about 45%—of those jobs.

 

Okay, but the 2,200 jobs that miraculously appeared in November will likely be offset by the 4,000 jobs Omnicom promised to globally eliminate in December.