Agencies Are Unbundling — What Senior Staff Are Doing Instead

Agencies Are Unbundling — What Senior Staff Are Doing Instead

Major creative services agencies are unbundling, leading senior staff to seek new career paths. According to industry insiders, roughly 40% of agency employees in the US have left their jobs since 2020. A similar trend is observed in Europe, where around 30% of agency professionals have switched careers.

Maria Okonkwo, hospitality analyst at Mercer, notes that "unbundling has forced agencies to re-evaluate their business models and services offered." This shift has led senior staff to explore alternative career options, often with more focus on niche areas. For example, former advertising executives are now launching bespoke digital marketing platforms.

Niche Opportunities

In the UK, David Lindqvist, partner at a Stockholm legal consultancy, points out that "senior creatives are increasingly leveraging their expertise in specific sectors." One example is in e-commerce, where former agency professionals are now building digital storefronts for established brands. Approximately 20% of senior staff from major agencies have made the transition into e-commerce roles.

Another area seeing growth is experience design, with former agency employees launching companies focused on creating immersive experiences for clients. This trend is particularly prevalent in Asia, where cities like Singapore and Hong Kong are driving innovation in experiential marketing.

The unbundling of creative services has created opportunities for senior staff to build specialized businesses that cater to specific industry needs. As agencies continue to evolve and adapt, it will be interesting to see how these niche markets develop and whether they can scale sustainably.