Last updated: September 2026
DDB Worldwide, the agency behind Volkswagen's "Think Small" and Avis's "We Try Harder", is being retired as a standalone brand. After Omnicom completed its $25B+ acquisition of Interpublic Group on November 26, 2025, the company announced it is folding DDB and MullenLowe into the TBWA network, cutting approximately 4,000 roles in the process. The new "Omnicom Advertising" group is BBDO, McCann, and TBWA. For students searching for a DDB internship, the path forward runs through TBWA and Omnicom.
Quick Facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Where to apply | TBWA: tbwa.com and tbwachiatdayla.com/careers; Omnicom: omnicommedia.com/careers |
| Application window (2027–28) | Expected Fall 2026 – early 2027 for TBWA\Chiat\Day summer program; Omnicom Media opens fall |
| Rolling? | Mixed — DDB LaunchPad was rolling/quarterly; TBWA\Chiat\Day and Omnicom Media run fixed summer cohorts |
| Eligibility | Students and young creatives; portfolio required for creative tracks; portfolio-school backgrounds common |
| Duration | 8–12 weeks (TBWA\Chiat\Day: 12 weeks June–August; Omnicom Media: 8 weeks) |
| Compensation | TBWA ~$18/hr (2023); Omnicom Media ~$20/hr (2026); DDB LaunchPad historically near $0 |
| Locations | Chicago, New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Miami (DDB legacy → TBWA hubs) |
| # Programs | DDB brand retiring; successor programs via TBWA\Chiat\Day (4 tracks) and Omnicom Media Group |
DDB is being retired as a brand. Its people, clients (including McDonald's), and talent programs now sit under TBWA/Omnicom. For summer 2027, apply to TBWA\Chiat\Day and Omnicom early-career programs rather than looking for a standalone DDB listing.
Externships are short, remote professional experience programs where you finish a real project with a real company. The TikTok Social Media Content Brand Strategy Externship and the Corporate Strategy Externship Mentored by Eric Ries build the brand strategy and creative thinking skills an advertising application needs. Explore all Externships.
What Is a DDB Internship?
DDB Worldwide was one of advertising's most iconic agencies, founded in 1949 in New York by Bill Bernbach, Ned Doyle, and Maxwell Dane. Its creative revolution produced some of the most famous campaigns in history, including Volkswagen "Think Small" and Avis "We Try Harder." DDB's LaunchPad program was its flagship talent-development internship, launched in 2007 in Sydney and expanded to offices worldwide, pairing junior copywriters with art directors on live client briefs. After Omnicom acquired IPG in November 2025, DDB was retired as a standalone brand and folded into TBWA. The ddb.com domain now redirects to tbwa.com. For summer 2027, the successor path runs through TBWA\Chiat\Day (4 paid tracks) and Omnicom Media Group.
When Do DDB Internship Applications Open for 2027–2028?
The DDB brand is being retired, so there is no DDB-specific application timeline for summer 2027. The successor programs follow standard agency internship cycles: TBWA\Chiat\Day posts its summer internship in late winter or early spring with a "12 weeks, June to August" format, while Omnicom Media Group opens its 8-week summer cohort in the fall. DDB's LaunchPad historically ran on a rolling, quarterly basis rather than a single annual window. For summer 2027, the practical approach is to monitor TBWA and Omnicom career pages starting in fall 2026 and apply as soon as postings appear.
DDB is being folded into TBWA. No standalone DDB internship exists for summer 2027. Build your portfolio and creative book now. Monitor tbwa.com, tbwachiatdayla.com/careers, and omnicommedia.com/careers for postings starting fall 2026.
TBWA\Chiat\Day and Omnicom Media summer internship postings expected. Omnicom Media historically opens in fall; TBWA\Chiat\Day posts in late winter/early spring. Apply as soon as your target track appears.
Application deadlines for TBWA\Chiat\Day summer internship (prior cycles extended into spring). Creative tracks require portfolio submission. Strategy and account tracks require resume and case-thinking samples.
Portfolio review and interviews for creative tracks. Behavioral and case-based interviews for strategy, account, and media tracks. Glassdoor rates DDB interview difficulty at 2.6 out of 5 with 63% positive experience.
TBWA\Chiat\Day: 12 weeks, paid (~$18/hr in 2023). Omnicom Media: 8 weeks, paid (~$20/hr in 2026). Hybrid format (3 days/week in-office for Omnicom Media; confirm per posting for TBWA).
How to read this page: our dates come from tracking previous recruiting cycles and daily posting data. Treat them as informed estimates based on historical patterns, not confirmed dates. The company's official careers page is always the most current source. If a role is posted there, go by that, even if this page suggests the window hasn't opened yet.
Why You Must Apply the Week Applications Open
The DDB brand is being retired, but the talent it nurtured and the clients it served (including McDonald's) are now inside TBWA and Omnicom. If you are searching for a DDB internship, you need to redirect that search to the successor programs before application windows open. The advertising industry is in a period of significant consolidation: the Omnicom-IPG merger cut approximately 4,000 roles and retired three legacy brands. For students, this creates both risk and opportunity. The risk is reduced hiring volume during integration. The opportunity is that fewer students know to apply under the TBWA and Omnicom brands, reducing competition for the same positions that DDB alumni now staff. Build your portfolio now, target TBWA\Chiat\Day for creative and strategy tracks, and Omnicom Media Group for connections and media. Apply the day postings appear.
Which DDB Internship Programs Should You Target?
DDB's flagship program was LaunchPad, a three-month creative talent-development internship. With the brand being retired, the successor programs carrying DDB early-career talent are at TBWA and Omnicom.
| Track | Focus | Duration | Key details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Creative – Copywriter (LaunchPad legacy) | Concepting, live client briefs, headline/script writing, portfolio building; paired with an art director | 3 months (historic) | Now under TBWA; portfolio required |
| Creative – Art Director (LaunchPad legacy) | Visual concepting, design, art direction on live briefs; paired with a copywriter | 3 months (historic) | Now under TBWA; portfolio required |
| Brand Management (TBWA successor) | Client servicing, project coordination, cross-functional collaboration | 12 weeks | TBWA\Chiat\Day documented track; ~$18/hr |
| Brand Strategy (TBWA successor) | Consumer insight, brief writing, campaign strategy | 12 weeks | TBWA\Chiat\Day documented track |
| Connections / Media (TBWA + Omnicom) | Media planning, connections strategy, digital channels | 8–12 weeks | Omnicom Media ~$20/hr; hybrid 3 days/week |
Omnicom also runs a Career Accelerator Internship Grant Program (paid, grant-supported) documented for summer 2026. Monitor tbwachiatdayla.com/careers and omnicommedia.com/careers for full track listings.
What Are the Eligibility Requirements?
Eligibility varies by track and successor program. Creative tracks require a portfolio; strategy and account tracks require analytical thinking and case samples:
• Creative tracks: students and young creatives working toward their first break. Portfolio-school backgrounds are common (Miami Ad School, VCU, SCAD, SVA, Parsons, Art Center, Creative Circus, Hyper Island).
• Strategy/Account: currently enrolled in an accredited bachelor's or master's program. Graduation anticipated Winter 2026 – Spring 2027 preferred for Omnicom Media.
• Portfolio is the gatekeeper for creative roles. DDB/TBWA creative recruiters review "books"; a DDB creative director noted starting as an intern and emphasized voice and portfolio over pedigree.
• Pay varies and can be low. Reddit describes DDB LaunchPad pay as "next to 0." Successor programs are paid: TBWA ~$18/hr, Omnicom Media ~$20/hr. Always confirm paid status before accepting.
Is the DDB Brand Really Gone?
Yes, as a standalone network. Omnicom announced in late November 2025 that DDB, along with MullenLowe, is being folded into TBWA. The ddb.com domain now redirects to tbwa.com. DDB's people, clients, and creative heritage continue under the TBWA umbrella, but there will not be a DDB-branded internship program for summer 2027. Apply under TBWA and Omnicom. The creative DNA is the same; the nameplate has changed.
What Skills Does DDB Look For, and How Do You Build Them?
Advertising internships evaluate candidates differently from finance or tech: the portfolio replaces the GPA, and creative thinking replaces technical assessments. Across DDB/TBWA/Omnicom postings and program descriptions, conceptual ideation and collaboration appear in every track. Creative roles demand a portfolio ("book") that demonstrates voice and visual thinking, while strategy roles require analytical reasoning and brief-writing ability. The common thread is the ability to pitch ideas persuasively, whether to a creative director or a client.
What DDB looks for in interns
Skills across 8 DDB intern & analyst job descriptions · 8 skills sourced from DDB LaunchPad, TBWA\Chiat\Day, Omnicom Media, and adam&eveDDB JDs/descriptions
Method: analysis of DDB LaunchPad descriptions, TBWA\Chiat\Day intern postings, Omnicom Media JDs, adam&eveDDB placement descriptions, and DDB creative JDs. Skills counted once per source in which they appear.
How Is Demand for Advertising Interns Moving Right Now?
Advertising intern hiring right now: September 2026
Across US advertising intern postings tracked this month · aggregate market data, all employers
September 2026 shows an advertising industry in transition. The Omnicom-IPG merger is the biggest structural shift in years, creating short-term hiring uncertainty but also consolidating talent pools. Students who redirect from DDB to TBWA/Omnicom early will face less competition than those who wait for clarity.
Method: aggregate analysis of US advertising intern postings, September 2026 baseline. Sample indexes under half of all US postings; figures show direction and relative level, not total market share.
Build These Skills Before You Apply
The skills above map to remote Externships that build portfolio-quality work before application windows open.
| Skill (from real JDs) | JD evidence | Externship that builds it |
|---|---|---|
| Brand strategy & content creation | TBWA Brand Strategy track: consumer insight, brief writing, campaign strategy | TikTok Social Media Content Brand Strategy |
| Corporate strategy & creative thinking | DDB LaunchPad: concepting on live client briefs, pitching to major clients | Corporate Strategy Mentored by Eric Ries |
| Data analysis & media planning | Omnicom Media: connections planning, media analytics, campaign performance | Breaking Games E-Commerce Data Analysis |
How close is the overlap? The TikTok Externship builds brand strategy and social media campaign skills that map directly to TBWA creative and strategy tracks, the Eric Ries project trains the strategic thinking and pitch skills LaunchPad was famous for, and the Breaking Games work covers the data-driven media analysis Omnicom Media interns use daily.
What Is the DDB Application and Interview Process Like?
The DDB/TBWA interview process centers on portfolio review for creative tracks and behavioral/case discussion for strategy and account roles. Glassdoor rates DDB overall interview difficulty at 2.6 out of 5 with 63% positive experience:
1. Monitor successor career pages. Set alerts at tbwachiatdayla.com/careers, tbwa.com, and omnicommedia.com/careers starting fall 2026.
2. Build a portfolio (creative) or strategy case sample (planning/account). Creative roles require a book; strategy roles need examples of analytical thinking and campaign reasoning.
3. Apply to the relevant track. TBWA\Chiat\Day offers Brand Management, Brand Strategy, Project Management, and Connections. Omnicom Media offers media-side roles.
4. Recruiter screen. Interest, availability, and fit. Creative recruiters review your portfolio reel at this stage.
5. Portfolio or case review. Walk through your book and creative process (creative) or present campaigns you admire and articulate the strategy (planning/account).
6. Team or hiring-manager interview. Behavioral questions about teamwork, creative collaboration, and cultural fit. One DDB reviewer described agency junior interviews as feeling "more like an audition than an interview."
For strategy/planning interviews, prepare to discuss campaigns you admire and articulate what made them work. Bring at least three examples with a clear brief-to-execution analysis. For creative roles, be ready to walk through your process, not just your finished work. Our HireVue question guide with a free AI mock tool covers the behavioral format.
What the Community Says
DDB's brand retirement generated significant discussion in advertising communities. Reddit threads capture both the industry impact and practical advice for aspiring advertising professionals.
The r/advertising subreddit reacted to the announcement that DDB would be folded into TBWA with a mix of nostalgia and pragmatism. Commenters mourned the loss of an iconic brand while acknowledging that the creative talent and client relationships simply move to a new nameplate within the same holding company.
A job-seeker who spent eight months without landing a position discussed DDB's LaunchPad program. One commenter described it bluntly: the pay is next to zero, but it gives you legitimacy and a reference. The consensus was that LaunchPad's value was in the portfolio work and industry credibility, not the compensation.
An aspiring advertising planner preparing for a second interview at a DDB-caliber agency shared questions they received, including a 45-minute written exercise and behavioral prompts about working on teams with conflicting viewpoints. The thread offers direct insight into what strategy/planning interviews actually look like at agencies.
How Do You Stand Out When the Agency You Want Just Changed Its Name?
Three moves, all executable before the TBWA application window opens. First, redirect your research from DDB to TBWA immediately. The creative DNA is the same: DDB's people, clients (including McDonald's creative), and culture now operate under the TBWA umbrella. Knowing this transition and being able to discuss it intelligently in an interview signals industry awareness that most applicants lack. Second, build portfolio pieces that demonstrate your creative process, not just finished ads. DDB's LaunchPad was famous for pairing copywriters with art directors on live client briefs; TBWA continues this collaborative model. A portfolio that shows how you think through a brief, from insight to concept to execution, is more valuable than polished final work with no visible process. Third, consider the Omnicom Media Group internship if you are interested in connections planning or media strategy. It is paid ($20/hr in 2026), runs 8 weeks, and provides entry into the same holding company that now houses DDB's talent.
What Other Companies Should You Consider?
DDB's peer set spans global advertising networks and creative agencies, all competing for the same creative and strategic intern talent.
- BBDOOmnicom's flagship creative network; survived the merger intact; larger creative footprint than TBWA (which absorbed DDB)Careers site
- McCannIPG's largest creative network, now under Omnicom; "Truth Well Told" heritage; Mastercard, MicrosoftCareers site
- Wieden+Kennedyindependent agency (not holding-company owned); Nike, Ford heritage; highly competitive creative internshipCareers site
- OgilvyWPP creative network; global scale; structured internship program; IBM, Dove, American ExpressCareers site
Our finance internships summer 2027 guide covers structured internship programs across industries.
FAQ
Does DDB still offer internships in 2027?
No. DDB is being retired as a standalone brand after Omnicom acquired IPG in November 2025. Its people, clients, and talent programs now sit under TBWA and Omnicom. Apply to TBWA\Chiat\Day and Omnicom Media Group early-career programs for summer 2027.
What was DDB LaunchPad?
DDB's flagship three-month creative talent-development internship, launched in 2007 in Sydney and expanded to U.S. offices including New York, Chicago, Miami, and San Francisco. It paired junior copywriters with art directors to work on live client briefs and build portfolios.
Is the successor internship paid?
TBWA\Chiat\Day internships paid approximately $18 per hour in 2023. Omnicom Media Group pays approximately $20 per hour (2026). DDB LaunchPad was historically known for near-zero pay, valued instead for portfolio and reference value. Confirm paid status before accepting.
What tracks are available through TBWA?
TBWA\Chiat\Day documents four paid summer internship tracks: Brand Management, Brand Strategy, Project Management, and Connections (media). Omnicom Media Group offers media and analytics intern roles. Creative copywriter and art director tracks continue the LaunchPad legacy.
What do I need for a creative advertising internship?
A portfolio or creative book is the gatekeeper. Portfolio-school backgrounds (Miami Ad School, VCU, Creative Circus, SVA) are common but not required. Strategy and account roles need a resume and demonstrated case-thinking ability rather than a creative book.
When should I apply for summer 2027?
Expected fall 2026 through early 2027 for postings, with application deadlines in the January to March range based on prior cycles. Monitor tbwa.com/careers and omnicommedia.com/careers starting fall 2026.
What is the advertising interview like?
Recruiter screen, then portfolio or case review, then a team or hiring-manager behavioral interview. No coding assessment. Glassdoor rates DDB interview difficulty at 2.6 out of 5 with 63 percent positive experience. Creatives report it can feel like an audition.
What is DDB's Glassdoor rating?
3.4 out of 5 from over 900 reviews. 63 percent would recommend it to a friend. Category lows include Compensation and Benefits at 2.8 and Career Opportunities at 3.1. Ratings predate the TBWA fold and may not reflect post-merger culture.
DDB's brand is retiring, but the creative opportunity it represented lives on at TBWA and Omnicom. Spend the runway building portfolio proof: a remote Externship turns interest in brand strategy into a finished project a fall 2026 application can point at.
About the Author
Bifei Wang has spent 17 years focused on human flow and the growth of young professionals, spanning international education, career training and coaching, and recruitment process outsourcing. Over 7 years at Extern, he has had one-on-one sessions with thousands of students exploring careers in consulting, finance, tech, marketing, and data, giving him a firsthand view of how the job market has shifted for early-career professionals and what it actually takes to break in.
