Fresher demand in India's marketing sector jumps over 5-fold annually to 62 pc in H1 2026
New Delhi, May 20
Fresher hiring intent in India's marketing and advertising sector surged sharply to 62 per cent in the first half of 2026 from 11 per cent in the prior year, with demand increasingly shifting toward analytics-led, AI-enabled, and digital operations-focused roles, a report said on Wednesday.
The report from TeamLease EdTech said the sector's hiring intent has climbed steadily over the last two years - 6 per cent in H1 2024, 9 per cent in H2 2024, 11 per cent in H1 2025, and 67 per cent in H2 2025.
The report indicated growing demand for digitally skilled talent as brands continue to scale investments in digital advertising, social commerce, creator-led marketing ecosystems, and performance-driven campaign strategies.
The report highlighted that traditional brand-led and creative execution-focused hiring is increasingly giving way to data-oriented and technology-enabled functions.
Emerging high-demand fresher roles include Digital Campaign Analyst, AI Marketing Associate, Ads Operations Executive, and Market Research Assistant.
"Entry-level hiring today is being shaped by campaign analytics, marketing automation, ad operations, and AI-assisted execution. Employers are looking for candidates who can work across platforms, interpret performance data, and contribute to revenue-focused digital strategies from day one," said Founder & CEO TeamLease EdTech Shantanu Rooj.
He also noted increasing the relevance of work-linked and industry-aligned learning models that help freshers build practical, job-ready skills for evolving digital marketing roles.
The report also projected India's digital advertising market reaching Rs 1.12 lakh crore by 2025, further accelerating demand for digitally skilled marketing talent.
Pune recorded the highest hiring demand for Ads Operations Executives at 51 per cent, reflecting the growing importance of campaign operations and ad-tech ecosystems within marketing organisations.
Hyderabad led hiring demand for Digital Campaign Analysts at 47 per cent, indicating increasing employer focus on campaign measurement, analytics, and performance optimisation.
Bengaluru and Mumbai remained key hubs for digital marketing and performance-driven hiring, supported by strong demand across advertising, technology, and consumer-focused sectors.
— IANS
Reader Comments
As a hiring manager in a Mumbai-based ad agency, I totally agree with this trend. We've moved from just making creative ads to running AI-powered campaigns. Freshers now need to know Google Ads, Meta Business Suite, and basic Python for data analysis. The old 'just be creative' mindset won't cut it anymore. Pune and Hyderabad leading the demand shows that even smaller cities are catching up. 🇮🇳
Impressive jump from 11% to 62%! But let's be honest - how many colleges in India actually teach AI in marketing? Most B-schools still focus on 4Ps and case studies from the 90s. The onus is on freshers to upskill themselves through certifications and internships. The Rs 1.12 lakh crore digital ad market projection is huge - this is where the real opportunities are for Gen Z. 👍
My son just graduated in digital marketing and landed a role as a Digital Campaign Analyst in Hyderabad. The salary offers have improved too compared to last year. Companies are investing heavily in performance marketing and social commerce. But I worry about job security - with AI automating so much, will these roles last? 😕
Finally some good news for freshers in India! The marketing sector is evolving fast. I work in Bengaluru and we've seen a 40% increase in demand for Ads Operations Executives and AI Marketing Associates. But one concern - the report says 62% intent to hire, not actual hiring. Let's hope companies follow through and don't just keep positions vacant indefinitely. Still, optimistic for the class of 2026! 🚀
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