Laid off from PR? A 5-step survival guide for the Omnicom shakeup and AI cuts
It starts with a calendar ping and a hidden guest list. HR shows up, and your stomach drops. That scene has played out across PR in recent weeks as layoffs tied to the Omnicom-Interpublic consolidation ripple through agencies and holding company structures.
The scale is big: creative brands such as DDB, FCB and MullenLowe are being folded, 4,000 redundancies have been announced on top of earlier cuts, and headcount is set to drop to 105,000 from 128,000 a year ago. While leadership said comms wouldn't see the same level of change, PR shops have been hit - from FleishmanHillard and Ketchum to MMC and Porter Novelli, and across units that include Dxtra Health, The Weber Shandwick Collective, Golin, Current Group and DeVries Global.
Layer on AI compressing entry roles and a soft hiring climate, and you get the squeeze: fewer openings, more competition, and skills in flux. Recruiters and industry leaders are blunt about what works now: upgrade your skills, ship work independently, and keep your pipeline moving.
Step 1: Reset your head - then your story
First, take the sting out of it. Mergers on this scale trigger cuts that aren't about your performance. That perspective keeps you moving instead of spiraling.
Now tighten your narrative. In one sentence, define the problem you solve and the outcomes you create. Example: "I help healthcare brands reduce misinformation risk and win share of voice with executive comms, issues response, and measurable media." Your story should be clear enough to fit in a subject line.
Step 2: Update your presence in 48 hours
- LinkedIn
- Headline: role + sector + outcome ("Crisis and exec comms lead | Healthcare/Tech | Issues response, SOV growth").
- Turn on Open to Work (recruiters + public) and add targeted job titles.
- Featured: 3 case studies with outcomes, 1 writing sample, 1 speaking deck.
- About: 4-6 lines, metrics up front, specialties in bullets.
- Ask 3 leaders for fresh recommendations this week.
- Resume
- Swap responsibilities for outcomes: "Cut response time 40% and lifted SOV 28% across three launches."
- Add AI fluency where real: briefing generation, content outlines, research QA, measurement automation.
- Include sectors (health, public affairs, tech, finance) and top client logos where permitted.
Need a refresher on Open to Work settings? See LinkedIn's guide here.
Step 3: Close the skills gap fast (especially AI)
Recruiters are seeing pressure at both ends: entry-level tasks are automated, and senior roles expect sharper counsel and efficiency. That means two tracks - depth in your domain and fluency with AI that speeds you up without risking accuracy or ethics.
- 30-day AI plan
- Week 1: Learn prompt patterns for briefs, messaging grids, coverage analysis, and executive talking points.
- Week 2: Build a reusable workflow for media list research, angles, and outreach variations (with manual QA).
- Week 3: Set up measurement templates: sentiment snapshots, message pull-through, weekly wrap notes.
- Week 4: Ship two public case studies showing time saved and quality controls you use.
- Where to train
- Role-based courses and certifications: Courses by job
- Marketing and comms-focused certification: AI certification for marketing specialists
As one search leader put it: if you're light on AI, fill that gap now. You can catch up - and signal it on your profile with real examples, not buzzwords.
Step 4: Make money while you search (fractional, project, consulting)
There's work out there - it's just packaged differently. Agencies and brands are buying sprints, counsel, and retainers without the overhead. Meet the market where it is.
- Package 3 offers
- Crisis and issues response: on-call counsel, playbooks, rapid statements (2-6 weeks).
- Executive comms: speech + op-ed + LinkedIn cadence for a quarter.
- Product PR sprint: story mining, media angles, press kit, first wave outreach (6-8 weeks).
- Pricing
- Hourly for ambiguity; fixed-fee for sprints; monthly for counsel. Keep scope to one page.
- Anchor to outcomes (speed, risk reduction, SOV), not hours.
- Simple outreach script
- Subject: "Available for crisis/exec comms support - recent Omnicom changes"
- Body: "I've led [sector] programs for [brand/agency]. I'm taking on 1-2 projects this quarter: [offer 1/2/3]. Here are outcomes and samples: [link]. Open to a 15-min call next week?"
Step 5: Run a repeatable job-search routine
Treat this like a campaign. Targets, daily outputs, measurement. Consistency beats intensity.
- Daily cadence (2-3 hours)
- 10 warm reach-outs, 5 follow-ups, 1 new intro from a mutual contact.
- Apply to 2 roles you can win on evidence, not hope.
- Publish 1 useful post or comment that shows your thinking.
- Move your body. Take calls on a walk. Protect sleep.
- Weekly
- Two live conversations that could lead to work.
- One shipped asset: case study, deck, or template you can share.
As one recruiter said, treat the search like a job. Without targets, the days blur and your energy drops.
Where the market may go next
Some expect AI-driven cuts to pick up again in the next six months. Others see a lift in late 2025 and healthier demand into early 2026. Both can be true - which is why aggressively upskilling and shipping independent work now gives you options either way.
Senior pros may need to flex on title, size of shop, or structure (fractional vs. full-time). Mid-level pros who show sector depth and practical AI fluency will stand out first.
What to do this week
- Update LinkedIn and resume. Ask for three recommendations.
- Publish one case study with outcomes and your role spelled out.
- Finish a short AI course and build a reusable PR workflow. If you need structure, browse new AI courses.
- Send 50 targeted outreach messages across five days. Keep it short, specific, and useful.
- Book two conversations with people who can hire you - agency leaders, CMOs, comms heads.
Signals that you're ready
- Your profile and resume read like a sales page for outcomes, not a diary of responsibilities.
- You can show how you use AI to work faster and safer - with examples, not buzzwords.
- You've packaged services that convert conversations into paid work.
- You're running a routine you can sustain for weeks, not days.
This moment is tough, but it's not the end of your career. Upskill with intent, ship work that proves it, and keep your pipeline active. The industry still needs counsel - it's just buying speed, clarity, and proof.
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