Dave Taub is back and swinging.
Taub, a principal with R2i.ntegrated, led his most recent business venture, Baltimore-based Round 2 Communications, into a merger with Bi4ce, a technology practice group. Round 2 brings its Web and nontraditional media and marketing expertise for businesses to the table, where it blends with Bi4ce?s creative design and software engineering to form R2i. Together, Web site designs and campaign ideas come to life.
Taub, 37, is known in this area as a co-founder of Impreza Design, a company similar to Round 2 that was sold for $4.7 million in 2000. But for Taub, that deal is in the past, and his focus is on the smart growth of R2i.
“I have a passion for working, and I like to create and make something out of nothing,” he said. “I?m much better and happier doing three things at once.”
With Round 2, which he started in 2003, Taub stepped out on his own. Specializing in branding, positioning and creating the look and feel of nontraditional media, Round 2 emphasized “user experience,” with Taub keeping his hands in all the projects.
Managing 75 to 100 clients, the company represented technology companies from small start-ups to Fortune 500 businesses. Current clients include TV Guide, Heineken and Black & Decker.
Initially, Round 2 Communications was effective as a business, but it wasn?t challenging enough for Taub. Looking for a kick-start, he brought on Matt Goddard, his co-founder with Impreza, as a principal to help expand the company. With a planned-growth strategy, they soon approached Bi4ce?s Christopher Chodnicki about a merger to create R2i.ntegrated and bring the companies together.
Earlier this year, R2i became a reality.
With about 7,500 square feet of office space and 40 employees, R2i has continued to grow under Taub and Goddard. Citing a nearly 100 percent retention rate among employees, Taub emphasizes communication with his co-workers.
“We are a great example of the open-door policy,” said Lindsey Hill, a marketing specialist with R2i. “It would be hard to go to a stuffy office after working here.”
DAVID TAUB
» First job: A camp counselor
» Education/credentials: Degree in graphic design from the University of Maryland
» Best job perk: Ability to say “no” to things in order to protect clients and my business
» Daily e-mails received: 125 to 200
» Daily voice mails received: Two on my work phone, 12 on my cell phone
» Career objective: To strike a good balance between work and personal life
» Favorite gadget: My GPS and a love-hate relationship with my BlackBerry
» Hometown: Rockville
» Birth date: April 27, 1970
» Original aspiration: Work in art and design
» Sports/hobbies: Travel, scuba diving and spending time with my family
