AdLab Welcomes Back Nihal Atawane: A Masterclass in the Future of Creativity

On March 24th, AdLab had the absolute pleasure of welcoming back Nihal Atawane–BU alum, storytelling wizard, and current Senior Copywriter at FCB Chicago. With a career that’s taken him across three countries and over 300 brands, Nihal brought a mix of global insight, creative honesty, and just the right amount of wit to the room.

From crafting campaigns for brands like Barilla and Fireball to cracking the code on shopper, social, and experiential marketing, Nihal didn’t just talk clients–he pulled back the curtain on how to make ideas truly resonate, tap into human truths, embrace simplicity, and land with emotional clarity. But beyond the creative hustle, his philosophy stole the show: "Make meaningful work, and have a bloody good time doing it."

With an armful of industry awards (including six Hatch Awards and two Young Ones), Nihal knows a thing or two about what separates good advertising from great. Spoiler: It’s not just about clever headlines–it’s about understanding people, embracing uncertainty, and staying relentlessly curious. His candid takes on the creative process, pitching, and learning from failure hit home with students navigating their own creative journeys.

As a former Adjunct Professor, AdLab Alum, and co-author of the advertising writing curriculum, Nihal also emphasized the power of mentorship and giving back to the creative community. His return to AdLab wasn’t just another guest talk–it was a high-energy reminder that the best careers (and campaigns) are built on bold ideas, a fearless attitude, and a whole lot of heart.

Thanks for the inspiration, Nihal! Here’s to making great work–and having a blast while doing it.