pyper paul + kenney UNITE AND TAKE OVER

02.17.06 | TBBJ By Agustina Guerrero

Pyper Paul + Kenney is a Tampa ad agency known for its creativity and success attracting big name clients. But Paul  Daigle, president, apparently doesn't want his account executives to get too expressive when there are photographers around.

No one at PP+K is allowed to smile for photos, Business Journal photographer Kathleen Cabble was told when trying to line up a group shot.

Maybe it's part of the agency's "bad boys" reputation that he wants to maintain. But it will be interesting to see whether Daigle holds his smile at the Feb. 18 ADDY awards. After all, he said last week the agency expects to win "close to 100 awards" and given the agency's top-notch client roster, that could mean a lot to smile about.

Offbeat company policy? No, just work ethic, said company insiders: "We just like to tell people that we're too busy to smile."