Burson Summer 2026 HBSI (Creative, USA Hybrid - Washington, D.C.)

Burson is the global communications leader built to create value for clients through reputation. With highly specialized teams, industry-leading technologies and breakthrough creative, we help brands and businesses redefine reputation as a competitive advantage so they can lead today and into the future. When you work at Burson, you are part of a global community of lifelong learners who thrive at the edge of innovation.

Burson is part of WPP (LSE/NYSE: WPP), the creative transformation company. For more information visit bursonglobal.com and follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram.

The Harold Burson Summer Internship (HBSI) Program gives early-career professionals an opportunity to explore the world of communications at a top-tier global communications agency during an exhilarating 12-week experience.

The HBSI culminates a real-world challenge where interns research, design and present a campaign for a current Burson client to the agency’s senior management, receiving feedback, tips and insights that would ordinarily take years to obtain. The summer internship program offers an invaluable career-development experience. So … are you ready to be a Harold Burson summer intern?

The program will run from June 8 – August 28, 2026, and you will be connected to one of our U.S. offices. The health and well-being of our employees, including you as our future intern, are our top priorities. All our offices are open, and we plan to welcome you to them as many days a week as you'd like, but Burson U.S. is currently following an in office hybrid policy.

Please note, this application is for our Creative team working as a content creator, social & influencer creative.

There is a separate application for our client-facing positions within the following practices: Consumer & Brand, Corporate & Public Affairs, Energy & Industrials, Health & Wellness, Digital, Mobility & Transportation, Technology, Grassroots (Direct Impact) and Performance Media. If you are interested in a Creative role and this client facing role, please feel free to apply for both. They are all still a part of the broader Harold Burson Summer Internship, you will just have a different focus area.

Application requirements (Incomplete applications will not be eligible for consideration):

1. Resume
2. Cover Letter
3. Portfolio

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Friday, January 9, 2026 at 11:59 pm PST. If you have specific questions, please email the HBSI team at [email protected].

During this paid internship, interns work alongside top professionals in the field, participating in everything from strategy and planning discussions to creative brainstorms aimed at capturing national news, shaping public opinion and sparking community engagement.

• Innovation – Innovation at Burson is not just about technology. It is the creative reinvention of how reputation is managed and protected, blending our unique product portfolio with deep industry expertise to drive value for clients across all sectors. Burson Labs combines technology with human capability and the development of AI-enabled tools to deliver powerful, more precise, and culturally relevant solutions that forecast audience behavior and improve communications in real-time. Our consultancy guides the digital transformation of our clients’ business and the agency.
• Strategy, Creative & Content – Burson is reinventing how we use creativity to meet our clients’ challenges. Our creative and content hubs comprise of five core disciplines: Creative Strategists who use insight to develop platforms; Creative Directors who turn cultural insights into ideas; Content & Publishing Strategists who plan the creation and delivery of content; Digital Planning & Optimization experts who define the digital customer journey; and Data & Analytics specialists who use data to track the performance of our campaigns.

• At the start of the internship, must be a recent (May/June) 2026 graduate.
• Strong research, written and verbal communication skills
• Able to work in a fast-paced environment with the ability to handle high-pressure situations

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Burson is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to particular characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers.

Individual compensation varies based on job-related factors, including location, business needs, level of responsibility, experience, and qualifications. We offer a competitive benefits package; click here for more details: https://mybenefits.wpp.com/public/welcome.

Our vision is for Burson to be the leading ‘academy company’ for creative communications professionals and emerging leaders. We provide a dynamic environment where ambitious colleagues come to elevate their skills, expand their networks, and ultimately, produce the best solutions for today’s leading brands. Our commitment to your growth is reflected in our robust benefits and people programs, which include professional development opportunities, mentorship programs with industry leaders, a vibrant and inclusive company culture fostering collaboration and innovation and packages designed to reward and retain top talent. We invest in our people because we believe their success is our success.

At Burson, we’re an agency of learn-it-alls. We recognize that the things we do best, creativity and communications, require a level of nuanced understanding. That’s why it’s imperative for us to hire extraordinarily talented people of all backgrounds and identities. Without that we can’t do the essential work of inspiring bold ideas, fostering constructive dialogue, cultivating meaningful experiences, and driving innovation and creativity for our partners. Your unique point of view—your talent—is what makes you a #BursonPerson, and it’s how we deliver exceptional results for our clients, together.

We believe the best work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. That's why we’ve adopted a hybrid approach, with teams in the office around four days a week. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.

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