Best Version Media Appoints Chris Laurence CEO; Kevin O'Brien Becomes Chief Revenue Officer

Best Version Media named Chris Laurence as chief executive officer and moved Kevin O'Brien, the previous CEO, to chief revenue officer, the company said on October 23, 2026. The Brookfield, Wisconsin-based local media and marketing company announced the appointments in a PR Newswire release.

Laurence Takes Over as O'Brien Shifts to Sales

Best Version Media said Laurence will lead the company's overall strategy and operations, working with the team to scale operations and support its Publishers and the local businesses they serve. O'Brien, as chief revenue officer, will focus on sales leadership, Publisher growth and revenue generation, leading the sales field.

Laurence brings experience as CEO, CFO and COO of public, private and private equity-backed companies, where the company said he led growth, operational improvement and technology transformation. Before moving into operating roles, he was a general partner at Brentwood Associates, a Los Angeles-based private equity firm.

"Our growth has brought us to a point where leading the overall company and leading our sales field each deserve a dedicated focus," O'Brien said. "This transition allows me to concentrate on working with our sales leaders and Publishers, strengthening the field, and helping more local businesses connect with their communities."

Laurence said: "I look forward to working with Kevin and the entire team to build on that foundation, strengthen how we operate, and support the success of our Publishers and clients." The company said the appointments reflect its investment in leadership to support its next stage of growth, with dedicated executive leadership for the broader organization and the sales field.

Best Version Media's Scale and Ownership

Best Version Media operates a hyperlocal marketing platform serving SMB advertisers across North America, according to akta.pro company records. The same records list more than 1,300 hyperlocal community magazines across the US and Canada, more than 48 million magazines distributed annually, and more than 94,000 local businesses served since 2007. The company was founded in 2007 and is headquartered in Brookfield, with a headcount range of 101-250.

Earlier Recognition for Best Version Media

Best Version Media was named to the 2026 Fortune Best Workplaces in Advertising & Marketing list for the third consecutive year, based on survey responses from over 10,000 employees at Great Place To Work Certified companies, PR Newswire reported in September 2026. Best in Biz Awards announced its 2026 International winners on September 30, 2026, with gold winners including Best Version Media, Beyond Finance and IBM, EIN Presswire reported. Best Version Media was ranked No. 4432 on the 2026 Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing private companies in America, PR Newswire reported in August 2026.