Copyright Forbes
As new technologies like generative AI reshape markets, and client needs evolve along with them, agencies are looking beyond traditional sectors to new avenues of growth. From healthcare innovations to the rise of connected media and sustainable consumer brands, fresh opportunities are emerging across every industry. Agencies that thrive will identify where inevitable change intersects with unmet need and position themselves as strategic partners, helping clients tap novel revenue sources. The insights shared by Forbes Agency Council members below reveal where momentum is building and why it matters now. For creative professionals and agency leaders planning their next moves, here are 20 burgeoning industry spaces where agencies can focus on expansion, innovation and building long-term relevance. 1. Connected TV Agencies will continue to see major growth opportunities in Connected TV over the next few years. As streaming continues to dominate, CTV has evolved from an experimental add-on into a strategic bridge between digital precision and broadcast storytelling. Advances in unified audience IDs and attribution are finally giving advertisers much-needed clarity to connect campaigns to measurable outcomes. - Jeff Kaplan, TARA Media 2. Healthcare Without a doubt, agencies will find future opportunities in healthcare. With advances in new drugs and treatments, as well as new care options, healthcare will continue to grow as a competitive industry, with increased needs for marketing support. - Ellis Verdi, DeVito/Verdi 3. Industrial Automation And Reshoring Industrial automation and reshoring will grow as factories continue to upgrade in terms of robotics, vision and AI-driven automation, but original equipment manufacturers and integrators often lag in branding, digital demand generation and proving ROI. Complex, high-value sales necessitate account-based management, cost calculators, customer stories and channel co-marketing—all prime grounds for agencies to drive measurable growth. - Nikos Lemanis, Luxid Forbes Agency Council is an invitation-only community for executives in successful public relations, media strategy, creative and advertising agencies. Do I qualify? 4. Luxury Travel The travel industry continues to grow, especially at the luxury level. The ultra-high-net-worth market is booming with new hotel launches, private jet trips and luxury yachts. And travel PR firms like mine continue to see growth year-over-year as a result. - Laura Davidson, Laura Davidson Public Relations 5. Wellness Rising demand for telemedicine, wearable tech and preventative care is reshaping the healthcare and wellness industries. With consumers seeking trust, transparency and lifestyle-driven health solutions, brands need agencies to craft credible, empathetic and innovative campaigns that connect tech, wellness and everyday life. - Shane Savage, PATHOS 6. Education Many speculate that education will be deeply impacted by the growing rise of AI, but spectators should be aware that this can have a positive impact on the industry. Agencies can expect to deliver higher-level digital learning experiences, which will constantly evolve and require maintenance updates year after year as AI continues to make learning experiences more efficient. - Jordan Edelson, Appetizer Mobile LLC 7. Purpose Marketing Customers, more than ever before, are looking to connect with brands on a deeper level. They want to support companies that stand for something (ethics, the environment, social justice). Spotlighting your purpose marketing and brand’s alignment can lead to trust and loyalty. - Bernard May, National Positions 8. Niche B2B Sectors Growth will come from niche B2B sectors—such as manufacturing, logistics and industrial tech—adopting B2C marketing tactics. Their buyers may be engineers and procurement leads, but they’re still consumers who respond to personalization and emotion. B2B agencies that combine a data-driven strategy with B2C-style creativity will redefine how “unsexy” categories connect with their audiences. - Andrew Mitchell, Brandmovers Inc 9. Local SEO For marketing agencies that help clients get found online, it will remain easier to get results for and help grow local service businesses. With LLMs now delivering info to searches with no clicks, organic exposure is tougher. I can’t see local SEO and Google Business Profiles being replaced by something better, making local services a hot opportunity with more growth compared to organic and/or national clients. - Landon Murie, Goodjuju Marketing 10. Sustainable Consumer Products Sustainable consumer products are poised for strong growth in the agency space. As consumers focus more on environmental impact and ethical sourcing, brands require creative strategies to stand out, share authentic stories and engage values-driven audiences—driving demand for specialized marketing and PR expertise. - Jessica Hawthorne-Castro, Hawthorne Advertising 11. Generative Engine Optimization Search engine optimization (SEO) is being replaced with generative engine optimization (GEO). Instead of focusing on rankings, digital agencies that focus on AI citation-building will carve out a space in the next few years. AI results are already pushing down results pages, so if you’re not doing GEO now, you’re behind the curve. - Dennis Consorte, Consorte Marketing 12. The Aging-In-Place Economy Growth will come from the aging-in-place economy: home care platforms, fall detection, mobility aids and financial safety tools serving older adults and their caregivers. The space is under-branded and trust-constrained. Agencies that map the caregiver journey, build plain-language education, broker clinician partnerships, run one omnichannel pilot and prove outcomes will win. - Vaibhav Kakkar, Digital Web Solutions 13. Mid- To Large-Market Org Digital Transformation Growth will come from mid- to large-market organizations that have outgrown their digital foundations but haven’t yet reached enterprise-level maturity. These companies are rethinking their brand ecosystems, technology stacks and customer experiences simultaneously. It’s a full transformation, and they need agency partners who can bridge creativity, systems and scalability in one cohesive process. - Goran Paun, ArtVersion 14. The Creator Economy The next big opportunity for agencies lies in the creator economy and personal brands. People are becoming the brands themselves, and audiences trust individual voices over corporate messaging. Agencies that help individuals tell authentic stories, create consistent content and scale their presence will lead the next wave of growth. - Sun Yi, Night Owls 15. Biotech The biotech space is projected to double in growth over the next five years thanks to advancements in AI and precision medicine and more demand for new therapies. The industry is filled with highly educated people, most of whom have multiple degrees—M.D., Ph.D., M.S.—but few scientists are experts in PR and marketing. Scientific innovation creates possibility. Communication turns it into progress. - Chintan Shah, KNB Communications 16. Community Activation Social impact and community activation are fueling the next wave of experiential growth. Brands are seeking more than promotion. They want events that inspire action, unite communities and reflect shared values. Agencies designing meaningful, authentic experiences in this space will see significant opportunity. - Katie Meyer, MoonLab Productions 17. Financial Services Technology As traditional banks partner with fintechs and community banks build digital capabilities, they need communications partners who understand both finance and technology—a rare combination. Regulatory complexity, stakeholder diversity and trust requirements make this space too nuanced for generalist agencies. - Kathleen Lucente, Red Fan Communications 18. Retail Media I see outsized growth in retail media for mid-market grocers and specialty chains. They’re sitting on rich first-party data but lack the teams to monetize it. Agencies can help stand up networks, package audiences, produce shoppable creative and prove incrementality with clean-room measurement. It becomes a new profit center, not just another ad buy. - Gabriel Shaoolian, Digital Silk 19. Functional Beverages Agencies will find growth in the functional beverage space—especially nonalcoholic, mushroom-based and wellness drinks. Zillennials embrace wellness as a lifestyle rooted in clarity and values. Their demand for clean, sustainable products gives agencies a chance to build purpose-led, emotionally resonant brands. - Manuel Machado, CCOMGROUP Inc. 20. Sustainability And Green Tech
