At a Glance
- A 26-year-old TikTok creator’s simple jingle for Dr Pepper amassed 45 million views and landed in a national commercial during the College Football Playoff.
- The creator, who goes by Romeo, was credited, involved in production, and earned a professional partnership with the brand.
- The moment shows how viral social media content can evolve into mainstream advertising.
Why it matters: The story illustrates the power of creator-brand collaboration and the rapid path from online virality to national exposure.
A TikTok clip featuring a catchy Dr Pepper jingle blew up to 45 million views, turning a playful moment into a national advertisement aired during the College Football Playoff National Championship. Romeo, a 26-year-old creator who uses they/them pronouns, shares how the idea sparked and how it became a professional partnership with the beverage company.
The Viral Jingle
Romeo first came up with the line, “Dr Pepper baby, it’s good and nice,” while scrolling through TikTok. Feeling the urge to share, they recorded the melody and posted it with a playful caption. The clip quickly accumulated more than 3 million likes and tens of millions of views.
- The original video was uploaded just days before Christmas.
- The jingle’s simplicity and repetition made it easy for others to remix.
- Viewers began using the sound to create their own videos, boosting the clip’s reach.
The creator’s comment to the brand read: “@Dr Pepper, please get back to me with a proposition we can make thousands together.” This intentional outreach caught the attention of Dr Pepper’s social team.
From TikTok to the Big Screen
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| Dec. 2023 | TikTok jingle posted |
| Dec. 2023 | Dr Pepper social team responds |
| Jan. 19, 2024 | Commercial airs during College Football Playoff National Championship |
When the official Dr Pepper account commented on the post, the team told Romeo to check their DMs. The brand quickly licensed the jingle and treated it as a real creative collaboration. The creator was credited and involved in shaping the final product.
During production, the team worked to preserve the original TikTok feel while adapting it for a national campaign. Romeo recalls, “We worked closely together to keep the heart of the original TikTok sound while producing it into something that could live in a national campaign.”
Collaboration Process
The partnership unfolded in a few swift steps:
- Initial contact – Dr Pepper’s social team reached out to Romeo.
- Licensing – The brand secured rights to the jingle.
- Production – Both parties collaborated on refining the melody for broadcast.
- Broadcast – The final commercial aired during the College Football Playoff on Jan. 19.
Romeo describes the experience as a “once in a lifetime opportunity.” They say, “I’ll never have that first moment again, so it was incredible. I write music all the time, so watching something I made become a real, professionally produced piece in a national commercial was amazing.”
Impact and Advice
The success of the jingle demonstrates how a single viral idea can lead to significant exposure. Romeo now has one released song and another on the way, thanks to the partnership. They advise aspiring creators to “be bold and be you.”
“You never know where that can take you,” Romeo says. “I’m excited for the future and all the opportunities that this moment is creating for everyone involved.” Their journey shows that authenticity, coupled with strategic outreach, can bridge the gap between social media and mainstream advertising.
Key Takeaways
- Viral content can quickly attract brand interest if it resonates and is shared widely.
- Intentional outreach to brands can open doors for creators.
- Maintaining the original creative spirit while adapting for larger platforms is possible with collaboration.
The story underscores that a simple, heartfelt jingle can transform from a TikTok post to a national commercial, proving that creativity and timing can lead to unexpected opportunities.
