"Keep your eyes and your minds open," he says. "When you get a new brief to work on, don't wrack your brains trying to come up with a brilliant idea. Remember that every assignment has its own tone, characteristics and instructions from the client. Just try to communicate the basic message the client wants delivered in a creative way."

He also adds, "Remember that there is no such thing as natural-born talent! If you want to make it in this line, you need to work hard, to keep abreast of everything that's happening in the world today. Watch movies, follow the news -- you never know when something will inspire a new idea! It's usually the simplest concepts that are the most successful."

According to Hital, advertising takes both passion and commitment.

"Each day may come with a thousand deadlines, and it's your job to deliver!" he says vehemently.

"I know it sounds cliched, but I'm an absolute workaholic myself. I thrive under pressure, and keep up proactive work even when there aren't any assignments at hand. I'd go nuts without any work to do!" he laughs.

Ask Hital how he balances his high-pressure job and his personal life, and he grins, "See, the thing is, I hate balance. I don't think you need to have any balance between your career and your personal life, at least when you're working in the advertising industry -- why, you could be on vacation, and suddenly you'll think up a great idea for a pending assignment. So then where does the line between your personal life and your job come in?

"In the end, it's the ideas that matter, and that's it! You could be a junior in the company, a senior, a clerk, even a rocket scientist, or a beggar -- it doesn't matter! If you're capable of generating ideas, in my eyes you're a genius. But, remember, it's ideas we want, not gyaan!" he signs off.