The U.S. job market added a robust 228,000 jobs in March, but advertising, PR, and related services didn’t share in the good news. According to the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment in the ad sector fell by 600 jobs, marking the fourth consecutive monthly decline.
Total employment in the BLS category for “advertising, public relations and related services” dipped to 493,400 jobs, based on seasonally adjusted data. That figure is 700 jobs below the level recorded in March 2024, and continues a downward trend that began in December.
Ad Agencies: A Mixed Bag
While ad agencies account for roughly 44% of the jobs in this category, their latest numbers come on a one-month delay. In February, agencies added 1,000 jobs, following a drop of 1,400 in January. That puts February agency employment at 219,600 (non-seasonally adjusted), still 1,300 jobs below February 2024 levels.
Media + Tech: Some Growth, Some Shrinkage
Other corners of the media landscape showed mixed results:
- Streaming, social platforms, and digital content providers added 2,300 jobs in February, reaching a total of 221,400.
- Web search portals and “all other information services” dropped 2,700 jobs, bringing that segment to 153,000—well below its late-2022 peak of 162,100.
Unemployment: Still Stable—for Now
The national unemployment rate ticked up slightly to 4.2% in March, up from 4.1% in February. While still relatively low, the uptick comes amid broader economic concerns, including fears of inflation and recession driven by the recent wave of tariffs imposed by President Trump.
What It All Means
While the U.S. continues its historic job growth streak—51 straight months and counting—the ad industry appears to be bucking the trend. Over the past six months, ad employment has declined by an average of 1,275 jobs per month, despite previous gains in fall 2024.
Economic pressure from Trump’s new tariffs, inflation, and shifting consumer behavior is likely contributing to cautious hiring and spending cuts in marketing and media.
For agencies and marketers already bracing for tighter ad budgets, the continued drop in employment adds another layer of concern to an already volatile 2025.
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