BH London is reinforcing its commitment to helping junior talent enter the ad industry as it opens applications for the sixth consecutive year of creative advertising school, Barn.
At a time when the number of employees in the industry aged 25 and under has declined by nearly 20%, competition is fiercer than ever and by continuing to invest in Barn, BBH aims to equip young people with the skills and experience to break into the agency world.
With creative internships on the decline, entry level opportunities limited and the financial pressure on young people increasing, the agency is committed to funding emerging talent to bring people into the industry in a way that is affordable for them and that benefits the entire industry.
The eight-month course offered by Barn – an independent ad school funded by BBH – is open to anyone, regardless of education, age or experience. Unique in the fact that it pays successful candidates the London living wage, the course aims to remove barriers to entry into an industry that is famously competitive.
Barn was originally created by legendary Watford Advertising Course leader, Tony Cullingham. It was relaunched as an independent ad school within BBH in 2021 and is now run by former BBH ECD Nick Gill.
Week-long placements were this year offered in agencies including adam&eve/TBWA, BBC Creative, VCCP, Leo and Pablo, allowing the students hands-on experience during the course. With coaching and mentorship from some of the very best industry people and valuable production experience at companies like String & Tins, students also had access to some of the greatest creative minds inside BBH.
BBH’s continued investment in Barn comes as the agency is focused on the critical need to put creativity back at the heart of advertising. According to the ONS**, 16.1% of 16-24 year olds are currently not in employment, education or training, and at the same time arts education is being squeezed, with declining numbers in GCSE courses, a shortage of teachers and a growing inequality gap, with disadvantaged students having fewer opportunities to engage in creative arts. It is estimated that over 40% of English state schools no longer enter any students for music or drama GCSEs.
Barn offers an accessible route into the advertising business,” said Gill. “With the decline in arts education, our industry is facing a crisis in skills and talent and agencies need to step up and address this challenge. The UK has a wealth of untapped creative potential and Barn is aiming to find the best talent and give people their first chance.”
Applications open on April 20th and close on May 15th.
*IPA Census, 2025
**ONS Labour Force Survey, November 2025-January 2026
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