Making People the Focus: Best Version Media, an International Publishing Company, Integrates Social Media with Print, Brings Businesses Together

We create an exceptional environment where publishers can excel to their fullest potential while becoming the best versions of themselves: Dave Durand

Many people have started using the Internet as their primary source for networking and information. Because of this, you might have considered cutting your print promotions or at least downsizing them significantly. What if you looked at print and social ads as two sides of the same coin instead? By learning how they work together, you can get much more mileage out of your advertising, and both you and your customers will profit.

In view of the above mentioned, we are delighted to present Best Version Media – an international publishing company that provides superior quality, community-oriented magazines that are delivered monthly to specifically targeted subdivisions, communities, villages, and business associations. The company is leading the print media market through its micro-targeted approach that focuses on content marketing to reach the targeted communities that business owners want to attract. 

The company is among the top 20 fastest-growing media companies in North America and is the fastest growing private company in Wisconsin of any type.

BVM was established in 2007 and is headquartered in Brookfield, Wisconsin.

Interview Excerpt: Dave Durand, CEO/Co-founder

Why was the company set up? How did you select the vertical and decide to be a part of the global platform?

Best Version Media or BVM was founded in 2007 and began with only five magazines. Since our national expansion in 2012, the company has grown to 600 publications; an impressive 10,980 percent growth.

Overall, the response has been overwhelmingly positive. The reason is that we incubated for five years before releasing a large scale launch. So, the tweaking we did in the early years has paid off well.

We lead the industry with readership levels reaching about 6.3 million worldwide. By fine-tuning the business model and adapting to rapid growth, we have been able to expand into international territories while continuing to develop across the United States.

More than anything culture matters. Building a business will always include problems to solve. When those problems are tackled by a tight team, who are humble and smart, nothing can stop them. 

What were the grounds on which you have expanded your company and its offerings over the years? 

The key to our growth is providing a tremendous opportunity to those who choose to work with us. That is the center of our culture and emanates through our product offerings. One of the most significant offerings we provide is – a powerful voice to sponsors via content marketing. This allows local companies to brand themselves competitively with other larger companies. 

Necessity is the mother of invention. Finding key players to solve problems has been the key contributor to success. When we find an open space to fill, we find great people to fill those spots and they bring with them all sorts of solutions.

What learning’s helped you to set this company up?

My early years focused on two things: Learning to scale and understanding human nature, therefore human performance. By combining incentives and opportunity with orthodox programs, I learned over the years that a great idea, program or model can expand quite well.

What are the biggest assets to your organization? What would they be and why?

Our core values are summed up as: unique client experience strategy, pride in our work, integrity, collaborative teams, fulfilling environment.

Every executive, team, and individual adopts these values as their perspective when applying efforts to every project and in every aspect of developing client relationships. Operating at this level of understanding and perspective keeps focus on our larger goals.

Perhaps the most important advice I can provide is to surround yourself with a passionate group of talented people who aren’t afraid to argue their opinions. By checking your own ego at the front door and fostering that in your culture, you will ultimately make better and more informed decisions.

Two-way communication is most effective, and employees need to feel they have an outlet for sharing their observations and ideas. How does this idea come to life at BVM?

Our office culture is innovative and energetic, and everyone periodically rolls up their sleeves to help co-workers when needed, regardless of their titles. We are looking for employees who share a similar sense of purpose as it is imperative to surround yourself with great teams. Having teams that you can rely on allows you to maximize your time, your efforts and your creative output.

Do you have any new products ready to be/getting ready to be rolled out into the market?

Despite leading the industry in print media, we have a cutting-edge digital product being released. We are turning social media on its head by creating a platform that allows users to control their social media in a desirable way. Features such as filters, leaderboards, and citizenships will create a sense of community across the world.

Where do you see your company a couple of years from now?

Expanding our print offerings while simultaneously adding even more digital enhancements. The goal is to keep the growth curve alive and well.

The Brains Behind The Operation: A Brief Background

Dave Durand: Dave Durand is the CEO and co-founder of Best Version Media. He is also a best-selling author, radio personality, professional speaker and trainer to over 150,000 individuals.

Dave also specializes in developing business leaders of all industries. He was the youngest Hall of Fame inductee in Cutco’s company history, a co-founder of an international multi-million dollar non-profit company, and was named one of the top 100 Minds in America on the topic of Personal Development in Warren Bennis’s, ‘Leadership Excellence’. Mr Durand’s most recent project, Myopolis, is a social media platform that was launched early this year.

Paul Lubinski: Paul Lubinski is the Chief Production Officer and a co-founder of Best Version Media. Prior to BVM, Paul spent eight years in the commercial printing field. He also launched five successful magazines on his own from the ground up prior to co-founding BVM in 2007.

Pete Ericksen: Pete Ericksen is the COO and co-founder of Best Version Media. Pete is also an author, helps build an international non-profit organization, and recipient of the Citizen’s Award of Valor.

“We are one of the fastest growing media companies in North America.”