In 2007, I had my first idea for an ad:

Set to the tune of “Whoomp, there it is!” Campbell’s cans would put on a performance worthy of an off-broadway run—chunks of chicken noodle and split pea splashing about in an organized fashion, creating a deliciously choreographed feast for the senses.

I acted it out for my family at the dinner table. It was delightfully terrible, and they loved it. They laughed and sang “Soup, there it is!” and reminded me about my brilliant idea for the next 15 years.

You can imagine how I felt in 2020 when not one, but two brands did their own rendition of that song—one of them promoting diapers.

My “brilliant” idea was quite literally shat on—and I was singing along.

My dad saw that commercial and said, “wow Pris, you could’ve been a millionaire…” Yes, a lot to unpack there. But my biggest takeaway was realizing how insignificant the work could truly be.

Almost any brand could take that song and create their version of it, and the general US population would sing along, say “ooh, I love that commercial,” and forget it ever existed 6 seconds later.