What would I be doing?
You will learn all about advertising & ad agency life - how to brief, build and manage a campaign. How to develop research, insights and write creative strategies. And how to find directors, photographers and designers to bring campaigns to life. You’ll do all of this through a mix of working on live projects, as well as attending talks & clinics on core skills for your discipline. You will have access to all our incredible people at BBH as well as all the perks of agency life (free breakfast and coffee bar anyone?), as well as access to our Homegrown Alumni network and events. This is your chance to kick start your career in the advertising industry - it really is what you make of it!
Please note that Homegrown is not a creative placement scheme.
Who are we looking for?
We are looking for committed, enthusiastic, interesting and interested people who are “good and nice” (our most important mantra!). You don’t need any previous experience or specific skills: we’re more interested in what you will bring, not what you can already do.
Please note that the scheme is not suitable for hybrid working or applicants currently living overseas.
Application & Assessment
Applications for the first cohort in 2023 are now closed.
The placement will run from 6th March - 26th June 2023.
Applications made before 11.59pm on 6th March will be anonymously reviewed by our hiring team to ensure fairness. Following this, short-listed candidates will be notified by 10th February 2023.
If successful, you will be asked to attend a short interview, via video call. The interview is not there to assess your prior experience! We want to learn more about you, give you the chance to showcase yourself and any projects or interests you have, and demonstrate why you should be one of our Homegrowners.
We will make final selections from our interviews to then invite a shortlist of applicants to an assessment day at our offices in London. Interviews and the assessment day will happen between weeks commencing 11 - 24 February.
By assessment day, we mean a day where you will be able to showcase who you are, your natural strengths and skills and meet more of the BBH team. This is a two-way street which allows us to see if you’ll succeed at BBH as well as whether you’d like to partake in the programme too!
Kickstart your
career with
Homegrown
Looking to work in advertising but don’t know where to start?
‘Need experience to apply’ but don’t yet have any experience?
London Living Wage not cutting it?
Worried about fitting in?
If you’ve ever been made to feel like a ‘Black Sheep’, then BBH wants to hear from you.
Homegrown is BBH’s early careers programme with a difference: a paid 4-month placement in the production, strategy and/or account management departments. We offer a competitive starting salary above the London Living Wage that factors in the higher rental and living costs in London. Plus, you will become part of our exclusive Homegrown alumni network which offers ongoing mentoring.
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Jess Garlick Homegrown 2019 - Now: Strategist
Why should you apply for Homegrown?
The biggest favour you can do yourself at the start of your career is to surround yourself with brilliant, generous people to learn from. Homegrown is that. It's a ticket to the heart of a big-name agency absolutely buzzing with energy and ambition, and it'll offer you conversations and connections that fast track your growth as an ad person.
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Rory Reames Homegrown – Now: Producer
Why should you apply to Homegrown?
Homegrown gave me the opportunity to learn all about production in a supportive environment, surrounded by super talented, creative and friendly people. It was a challenging and exciting 3 months, which helped launch my career in advertising.
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Laura Casado Cisa Homegrown – now: Senior Strategist
Why should you apply to Homegrown?
Homegrown is the ultimate crash course in advertising. A place where you’re allowed to fail, and where it's forbidden not to have fun. You’ll learn all the ins and outs of brand building and ad making from some of the cleverest people in the industry, for some of the biggest names in the market.
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Olivia Harte Homegrown – now: Account Manager
Why should you apply to Homegrown?
Homegrown was the best advertising 101 I could have asked for. You're fully immersed in the agency - taking live briefs, having Q&As with departments and joining client meetings - and everyone is genuinely so happy to help you find your feet and best role for you.
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Madeline McCarthy Homegrown – now: Account Manager
Why should you apply to Homegrown?
BBH Homegrown was the best possible start to my advertising career that I could have imagined. It provided the perfect environment to learn and thrive, exploring all aspects of agency lifestyle. I got involved with everything from strategy to production and built a wonderful network along the way.
FAQ
How old do I have to be to enter the scheme?
Homegrown is open to any applicants over the age of 18.
I need a visa to work in the UK. Can I still apply?
No, unfortunately we cannot sponsor applicants without the right to work in the UK.
What qualifications or experience do I need?
No previous experience or specific qualifications are required to take part in the programme.
What equipment will I need? Do I need my own laptop?
If selected for the interview stage you will need to be able to take part in a video interview.
Following this, and successful selection for the assessment day, you will need to attend in-person at our offices in Kingly Street, London - no equipment required.
If, following the assessment day, you are offered a placement, you will be given a laptop to conduct your work for the duration of the programme.
What if I can’t make the dates work for Cohort 1?
We will be running more cohorts! Keep your eyes peeled! 👀
Where will the placement be & what will my working hours be?
The placement will be predominantly at our London offices on Kingly Street in Soho from 9.15-5.30pm, Monday - Friday. The agency is currently operating a hybrid working model whereby some of your time will be spent in the office and some can be worked from home depending on your team’s requirements. This can be discussed further at your interview & assessment day.
How much will I get paid?
We pay a competitive starting salary that also includes a stipend for those without a place to stay in London, to cover housing in the capital.
I have another job already - can I do the placement and keep my other role?
We believe that you will have the best experience if you dedicate your energy and commitment to the programme full-time. We have flexible working arrangements in place for those with extenuating circumstances which can be discussed as part of your interview.
What roles will be available at the end of the programme?
Following the programme, Homegrowners are actively encouraged to apply for any open roles we have in the agency, suitable to their level of experience. However, we cannot guarantee a job at the end of your placement.
Do I have to choose which department I do my placement in?
Yes, we believe you’ll get the most from working in one department for four months. This being said, if you have a strong drive to rotate throughout all three departments, we can make this happen.
When do I have to make my final decision on my preferred department?
Please indicate within which department you’d prefer to complete a placement on your application. In the interview and on the assessment day, we will ask again which department you’d like to be placed in and will make offers based on our discretion and your preference.
What is a Strategist?
A Strategist is the voice of the consumer, in the agency. It’s their job to ground themselves in the audience, category & world of their clients (brands) and to provide an area of focus for creative work, so as to best appeal to the consumer & stand out in the category. To be a good strategist, you need empathy, creativity & curiosity.
What is a Producer?
A Producer’s role is to bring to life creative ideas - taking them from initial concept to final asset delivery. It’s their job to help select production partners to ensure the best possible expression of a creative idea (which can be anything from a social film to a large scale experiential event). The producer is always positive and proactive, always solution orientated and a true lateral thinker.
What is an Account Manager?
An Account Manager is key to understanding and partnering on our clients business, creating the energy for BBH teams, and making sure that everything gets done that needs to get done! They are involved in the creative process from start to finish and see everything through. Most importantly at BBH, they create the environment for our best work. To be a good Account Manager, you need to be an organised and entrepreneurial ‘people person’.
How many places are available per cohort?
We typically select 5 people per cohort, but have been known to bend the rules occasionally… 👀
Any tips for the application?
Try not to overthink it - ‘don’t get it right, get it written!’. You can always go back and edit later. The strongest ideas also tend to be the simplest…
What about the interview?
Don’t forget that our interviewers are just people too! We want to connect with you to see if you’ll enjoy the placement, as much as how well we think you’ll do at BBH. Demonstrate your passion and you can’t go far wrong.
Omg Assessment Day… what?
We’re deliberately putting on a touch of pressure here to see how you do! Enjoy the process & most importantly, believe in yourself. You wouldn’t have reached this stage if we didn’t think you could do well.
What can I expect whilst on the programme? What is life like at BBH?
Check out our TikTok for an inside view of what BBH is like…
I have missed the deadline to register. Can I still take part?
Unfortunately we can’t accept any applications after the deadline. We will be running more placements so keep an eye on this page and our TikTok for more info…
Will you be providing feedback to unsuccessful applicants?
We will be providing feedback to those who progress to the interview round. Due to the high level of applications, we are unable to provide individual feedback to everyone who applies.
If I am unsuccessful, can I reapply?
Absolutely. Keep an eye on our website for the next application window.
How can I find out about other BBH work opportunities?
All future opportunities will be posted on our LinkedIn page, so please keep an eye on this for updates. We will also be running more placements so keep an eye on this page and our TikTok for more info…
