Tweet My former client was USAA Bank. About a year ago, my creative team was brainstorming on commercial spots to promote USAA's app that lets you take a picture of your check with your iPhone and it's immediately deposited into your account.

I pitched a spot about a recently married couple depositing their wedding gifts. It didn't make the cut. Months later, Chase started airing this:

It's frustrating to have a good idea, but the decision makers feel differently. Get used to it. That's agency life. If someone produces the same idea, you just live with the "satisfaction" that you thought of it first. Who am I kidding? Get mad one minute. Move on the next minute. Still, it's nice to know someone thought it was good enough to produce. Would I put the storyboard in my portfolio? No. It only looks like you copied their idea. Accept the fact that they beat you to the punch. It happens a lot. Some commercials and promotions are stopped in mid-production, because some other agency put out the same idea, before you did.

At the end of my commercial, the couple opens an envelope with a gift card inside and expresses disappointment in not being able to deposit it. I think I had the better ending.

As for the app? USAA had it first.