Mumbai: Bartle Bogle Hegarty (BBH) has announced the opening of applications for the sixth consecutive year of its creative advertising school, Barn, reinforcing its commitment to nurturing the next generation of industry talent.
The initiative comes at a time when the number of employees aged 25 and under in the advertising industry has declined significantly, intensifying competition for entry-level roles. Through Barn, BBH aims to equip young creatives with the skills, experience, and access needed to break into the agency ecosystem.
Barn, an independent ad school funded by BBH, offers an eight-month programme open to individuals regardless of age, education, or prior experience. Notably, it provides successful candidates with the London living wage, helping remove financial barriers that often limit access to creative careers.
Originally founded by Tony Cullingham, Barn was relaunched within BBH in 2021 and is currently led by Nick Gill. The programme combines structured learning with hands-on exposure, including week-long placements at agencies such as adam&eve/TBWA, BBC Creative, VCCP, Leo Burnett, and Pablo.
Participants also benefit from mentorship by industry professionals and production experience with companies like String & Tins, alongside access to BBH’s creative leadership.
The programme is positioned against a broader backdrop of declining arts education and limited entry-level opportunities, with industry bodies highlighting a growing skills gap and reduced access for young people, particularly from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Commenting on the initiative, Nick Gill said, “Barn offers an accessible route into the advertising business. 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 for the 2026 cohort opened on April 20 and will close on May 15, as BBH continues its efforts to create a more inclusive and sustainable talent pipeline for the advertising industry.
To apply: https://www.bartleboglehegarty.com/news/barn-is-back
