AdClub Honors Next Generation Advertising Talent at COM

Ahalya Bahuguna (COM’25) won the Next Gen Award, presented to up-and-coming talents in advertising at last night’s Hatch Awards ceremony in Boston.

Her award was a highlight alongside winning submissions from seven COM student teams, whose projects swept all student awards in the annual event sponsored by AdClub, a trade association for the marketing and communications industry in New England.

“There’s a whole bouillabaisse of qualities I look for in young creatives— a mix of talent, work ethic, high standards, and just being a good human. Ahalya has them all in spades,” said Pete Shamon, COM lecturer in advertising who nominated her for the honor.

“I can say without hesitation that Ahalya has all the earmarks of a pro’s pro. Her insights are unique and personal views of the world and business challenges,” he added. “She wants to be great, and has already proven her talent on an international stage.”

COM students took home every award presented in the Student Campaign category.

“Once again, our students’ creative strength was on display,” said Pegeen Ryan, associate professor of the practice in advertising at COM. “Taking home all this year’s student awards, they showed the judges and the industry the quality of their thinking and execution.”

Student Category Award winners:

Client: Monotype,“What Happens When We Erase DEI?”
Award: Gold
Student Team: Ahalya Bahuguna (CW), Apurva Giri Sunder, and Ananya Sharda (AD) ,Xinru Jiang (Strategist)

Client: Sephora,“Don’t Buy The Lie”
Award: Silver + Bronze
Student Team: Mia Forouhari (CW),Yiyun Yang (AD)

Client: Google,“Yellow Line”
Award: Silver
Student Team: Tanishka Singh (AD),Kenna Lloyd (CW), Gonzalo Gonzalez (strategy)

Client: Zipcar,“Wrong without a Car”
Award: Merit
Nyah Williams (CW),Abdel Rahman, Abou Shousha (AD)

Client: Philadelphia Cream Cheese,“The People’s Cream Cheese”
Award: Merit
Lila Berger (AD),Abby Guttman (CW)

Client: Depop, “Why the F*uck Are You Buying New Clothes”
Award: Merit
Student Team: James Phillips (CW),Alex Germain (AD)

Client: Burton,”Keep Winter Coming”
Award: Merit
Student Team: Lila Berger (AD),Sahiti Pawar (CW)