About Decode Solutions
Dawson Roark
A brand-building expert, Dawson Roark notes that his skills form a triangle connecting the disciplines of IT, marketing, and sales. “From my very first rock band in high school to my current work and band,” he says, “I’ve used technology and communications—a combination we today call social media—to build business and promote and attract fans.”
Dawson formed Decode Solutions in 2008 to consult on social media and mobile technology solutions. Through Decode Solutions, he also directs sales and marketing for Pointe Systems, a managed hosting and technology support firm, and TouchCentric, a developer of top-ranking apps for the iPhone, BlackBerry, and other mobile devices.
Before founding Decode Solutions, Dawson was vice president of sales technology for Brand Fuel, a promotions agency with national corporate clients. Before that, he spent eight years as director of technology for Industrial Power Sales and was operations manager for ChatterBox, a startup headquartered in Albuquerque.
When he’s not working for Decode Solutions, Dawson can often be found drumming for and promoting Destroy All Sweaters, a Weezer tribute band that plays regularly in the Triangle and beyond.
Dawson’s recent social media work in the corporate setting has produced remarkable results. For instance, as part of one recent marketing and social media campaign, he
• filmed, directed, edited, and produced a series of ten video shorts featuring the firm’s employees and products
• built new corporate culture and social media sections and widgets—using services like YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter—on the firm’s web site.
• created a CRM-based marketing tool to close the loop between social media features and bottom-line sales results.
• created a case study section highlighting the firm’s most creative and successful solutions.
• optimized the site for search engine ranking
• used CRM technology to build client communications. Implemented internal and external surveys to gauge clients’ and employees’ feedback on various topics. Automated process for clients to update and correct their own contact information.
• developed the firm’s corporate presentation for delivery in multiple media formats.
That marketing campaign produced a sustained 30 percent increase in site traffic. Page views per session jumped from 1.6 pages to a whopping 13 pages. Average visit time on site went from 90 seconds to 8.76 minutes. “Social media is like a catalyst for traditional marketing and web site maintenance techniques,” says Dawson. “So many organizations could see a big boost from implementing a social media–backed marketing strategy.”
Dawson lives in downtown Raleigh with his wife, a writer and editor, and their two young daughters. His offices are located upstairs from Cafe Helios at 413 Glenwood Avenue, a ready source of caffeine and social contacts.
Dawson Roark, Decode Solutions
919.649.6954
dawson@decodesolutions.com