Best Version Media CEO Kevin O’Brien Joins Inc. Leadership Forum
BVM is proud to announce that our Chief Executive Officer, Kevin O’Brien, has joined the Inc. Leadership Forum, a distinguished and invitation-only community curated by Inc., the leading business media brand and playbook for entrepreneurs and business leaders shaping our economy.
About Inc. Leadership Forum & Why It Matters
The Inc. Leadership Forum brings together the most dynamic visionaries in business. This exclusive group is reserved for founders, CEOs, and the C-suite of companies that have earned recognition in Inc. award programs, such as the Inc. 5000, Inc. Female Founders, Inc. Regionals, and Inc. Best Workplaces, along with other select high-profile executives.
Members gain access to invitation-only live events, experiences, high-level masterminds, and information-packed virtual sessions and networking designed to facilitate growth, collaboration, and personal development. Through its platform, Inc. amplifies members’ voices across industries by publishing their thought-leadership expertise on Inc.com.
We asked Kevin what it means to join such an elite collective of leaders.
“This recognition truly reflects what our Publishers and Home Office teams have built together. Leadership is easy when you’re surrounded by people who are genuinely committed to their communities. I’m looking forward to representing BVM in this group and bringing back new insights to help our teams grow.”
Kevin O’Brien: Taking BVM To New Heights
O’Brien, a Bowling Green State University graduate, began his career in the NFL and CFL before transitioning into sales leadership. He served as Director of Sales at Multi-Color Corporation, contributing to significant growth before joining Best Version Media in 2015. As a Region Manager, he quickly drove strong performance across the South Region. In 2021, he became CEO, succeeding co-founder Dave Durand. In 2025, O’Brien led BVM through its acquisition by HIG Capital, maintaining momentum during a major transition.
As CEO of Best Version Media, O’Brien has expanded the company into a leading local marketing platform. BVM delivers more than 50 million community magazines annually across 1,300+ communities in the U.S. and Canada, connecting local businesses with highly engaged audiences.
This print foundation now works alongside targeted digital strategies to help tens of thousands of small businesses grow. By integrating print and digital, BVM offers a more complete solution to local marketing, including display and social advertising, online reputation tools, and website development for local businesses. The company continues to scale while maintaining its strong culture and operational focus. You can read more about Best Version Media’s evolution here.
A Word from Inc.
“We’re thrilled to bring together this exclusive group of executives who deeply understand the rewards and challenges of running some of the fastest-growing companies in America. By staying connected to their peers and to Inc. – the only publication wholly devoted to their success – they can jointly prosper,” said Mike Hofman, editor-in-chief of Inc.
To follow Kevin O’Brien’s insights and leadership journey, connect with Best Version Media on LinkedIn and stay up to date with his latest contributions. For more information on the Inc. Leadership Forum, visit inc.com/LeadershipForum.
