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# PadillaCRT Acquires Richmond’s Joe Smith Agency
- URL: https://capitolcommunicator.com/richmonds-joe-smith-acquired-by-padillacrt/
- Published: 2015-11-13T15:40:58.000Z
- Updated: 2020-03-24T00:44:02.000Z
- Author: Guest Columnist
- Tags: Agency, Acquisitions, Richmond News, #Import 2026-10-08 18:46

**A two-year-old Richmond agency** “with an unassuming name has found itself the object of a national PR firm’s affection”, reports [Richmond BizSense](http://richmondbizsense.com/2015/11/09/branding-startup-pr-firm-join-forces/?ref=capitolcommunicator.com).

The Richmond BizSense report, in part, also stated:

“Joe Smith, led by founders **Christian Markow** and **Barry Saunders**, has been acquired by PadillaCRT.

“The transaction will see Joe Smith become PadillaCRT’s in-house branding arm in a bid to extend the PR firm’s reach into brand strategy and management.

“Markow and Saunders will join the firm’s executive leadership team as senior vice presidents, and their current staff of six will all carry over in the deal.

“Joe Smith will continue under its current moniker – the first name a reference to Markow’s entrepreneurial grandfather; the last name a reference to the creation-sounding “blacksmith” – while operating under the PadillaCRT umbrella.”