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42 | GRAVITAS MAGAZINE How did your journey into the Advertising world begin? TY: I started in television sales and then moved over to radio. First in Orlando, then in Tampa. I worked my way up to management at Clear Channel, was recruited by Cox, then CBS. So I've done my time at all the media giants! KP: I went to Syracuse University for PR and marketing management but envisioned my career in corporate communications. e last place I saw myself was an advertising agency. Well, in the early 90s, there was a recession, and that's exactly where I landed – by accident as a temp. at was more than 20 years ago! e agency world is quite the roller coaster – you have to have the stomach for the ups and downs. How did you come together as a team? TY: We've known each other more than a decade – always admired each other and had great rapport with each other. When I decided it was time to take the leap, quit my corporate gig, and jump into the agency world, Kelly was one of the first people I called. KP: Tracy didn't know I was in the process of "divorcing" my two business partners at PP+K – no one did. So she was the first person I told. And this naturally led into, "We should talk." TY: We had so much in common in terms of philosophy and vision – it was almost unreal. KP: en we had to keep it quiet while I finished out my time at the prior agency. But people that knew the two of us well were having fun speculating on the news! What do you enjoy most about working together? We give each other lot of support – professionally and personally. We are a team. But there's a lot of humor – a lot of laughing! How do your strengths and weaknesses balance out between you? TY: We have two major things in common: our philosophy about our company culture (we have a "no assholes" policy) and our approach with clients is not just about their advertising, it's about their business, how they approach it, what they want to accomplish, and how we help them do it. en we look at how that fits into the advertising. It's a "partner" not a "vendor" relationship for us. Beyond that our strengths are totally opposite. I am more of the creative, sensitive type and Kelly is more analytical and detailed. KP: Did she just call me anal-retentive?! was there a stand out moment when you knew it would prove to be successful for you? Every time you are given an opportunity to work with a client – it's exciting. But as far as "stand out" moments go – there was extra pride beaming when we were awarded a major project from WellCare Health Plans. Not only is it a huge, Fortune 300 company, but we knew we were really hitting on all cylinders working together as a team. why did you decide to branch out on your own instead of nesting with another agency? See above reference to "no a-holes" policy. It's actually harder to work around than you would think! what is the most gratifying thing about your career? TY: I love the brand strategy work. I love

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