Building the Next Generation of Agency Talent in the Age of AI

On this episode of Agency Alchemy, we sit down with Rob Cherof, Founder and President of Rocket Camp, for a wide-ranging conversation about the future of agency talent, mentorship, and creativity in an AI-driven industry. Drawing from decades of experience at some of advertising’s most iconic agencies — and his work developing young professionals through the 4A’s Institute for Advanced Advertising Studies — Rob shares why the industry’s obsession with efficiency may be coming at the expense of human growth. From hybrid work and the loss of apprenticeship culture to the importance of giving young talent “more at-bats,” Rob argues that agencies need to rethink how they train, nurture, and challenge the next generation. We also explore Atlanta’s evolution into a major marketing hub, why interdisciplinary collaboration matters more than ever, and how AI can accelerate thinking without replacing the critical human skills that make great advertising possible.