Q2 Trends & Q3 Predictions

We can’t quite believe Q2 is coming to an end! In this blog, we discuss our predictions for the PR / Communications market for Q3 and the key trends that we saw throughout Q2.

It’s been a busy quarter and a very candidate driven market. JFL successfully placed candidates within a lot of agency positions due to clients drumming up and winning lots of new business in the preparation for any potential knock-on effect of Brexit (so far, our agency clients have not reported any slowdown in business). With no decisions having been made on the UK’s stance on Brexit, we suspect that businesses will continue to boost their teams, especially at the Account Manager and Account Director level. We have also started to see an exciting trend of agencies bolstering relationships with partnering international agencies, presumably as part of a Brexit strategy. On another positive note, the uncertainty of Brexit has not affected people’s decision to look for a new position, nor do we think it will in the upcoming quarter.

Due to our clients winning lots of new business, we’ve seen an increase in Account Executive/Senior Account Executive roles, compared to Q1. At the senior end, there has been a real increase of senior internal communications briefs with large, international clients across the travel, professional services and food and drink sectors. We also saw an increase in roles based in the middle east, some exciting public affairs briefs and JFL have continued to work with exciting in-house brands during Q2. Compared to Q1, Q2 has also seen a rise in demand for consumer candidates- largely at the Senior Account/ Associate Director levels.

Q3 is always an exciting time in the communications jobs market, we find that after a summer of sun, sand and sangria candidates of all levels are more motivated than ever to find an exciting new role- 2018 saw JFL have its busiest month in Q3! Based on previous years, we also find that there is an influx of junior and Graduate candidates looking for new roles during this period too. With impending changes in government, we also expect to see an exciting shake-up in public affairs briefs coming through.

JFL have enjoyed some exciting team updates in Q2; we have welcomed Dimitra Pantazi as a new JFL consultant, she is focusing on mid-level recruitment across agency and in-house clients. And Ros Kindersley, our Executive Chairman is celebrating becoming a grandmother this month too!

Leila Saleh, Consultant, will be leaving JFL in Q3 to pursue her dreams of becoming an opera singer! JFL offer their thanks to the fantastic work she has done over the past two years. Further to this news, April Kearns, Director, will be going on maternity leave from July- in her absence, please do get in touch with Edwina@jflrecruit.com / Carolyn@jflrecruit.com.

JFL are planning on bringing more talented consultants on board in Q3- If you are interested in a career in PR recruitment, please do get in touch with edwina@jflrecruit.com. Alternatively, if you are looking to hire or looking for a new opportunity then do get in touch: info@jflrecruit.com