Richmond ad agency Yebo announces closure after 35 years

Formerly known as the Barber Martin Agency, Richmond-based Yebo has announced its closure after 35 years.

The firm changed its name to Yebo, pronounced “Yay-bow,” in early 2020 to better reflect the firm’s mission. The name means “yes” in the Zulu language of Southern African, which includes Zimbabwe, birth nation of Yebo President and CEO Robyn Zacharias.

Founded in 1988 by Bob Barber and Bill Martin, the firm announced its closure on its social media accounts on June 9. The firm moved to the Scott’s Addition neighborhood in Richmond from Chesterfield County’s Boulders Office Park in 2017. Its services ranged from advertising and marketing to social media and branding.

Zacharias, who started out as an administrative assistant at the agency in 1996, became president in 2006 and acquired the company as sole owner from Barber and Martin in 2014. She earned her bachelor’s degree in mass communications and public relations from St. Andrews University in North Carolina.

“We have had the pleasure of serving hundreds of clients over the years by providing high-quality innovative creative, production and media solutions,” the firm said in posts on its Facebook and Instagram pages. “With our team of brilliantly minded and service-driven employees we were able to repeatedly exceed our clients’ expectations.”

A phone call and email to the firm were not immediately returned Thursday.

Over the years, the firm’s clients included the Virginia Lottery, nTelos Wireless, Bassett Furniture, McGeorge Toyota, Southern States Cooperative and Richmond International Raceway.