OverDrive, the company behind Libby, has named Marc DeBevoise as its new Chief Executive Officer, starting June 23, 2026. He joined the company just months earlier and was promoted to President in March.

This fast promotion is worth noting. When someone reaches the top job so quickly, it usually means the company's board was very confident about the hire.

DeBevoise spent most of his career running technology platforms that handle digital media. He was the CEO of Brightcove, a company that helps broadcasters and publishers stream video online. He also ran CBS Interactive and was Chief Digital Officer at Paramount. In these roles, he learned how to manage both the deals with content owners and the technical systems needed to deliver video to millions of users.

This experience fits what OverDrive needs. OverDrive operates Libby, an app that lets you borrow ebooks, audiobooks, and streaming videos through your local library or school — much like borrowing a physical book, but online. OverDrive sits in the middle: it negotiates with publishers, handles the licensing agreements, and provides the technology that libraries use to lend digital content.

The digital library world is complicated. Publishers worry that easy digital lending will hurt their book sales, so they set strict rules about how libraries can lend ebooks. Libraries and schools have limited budgets and strict buying processes. Meanwhile, people increasingly expect to access books and audiobooks instantly, like they do with music or movies. OverDrive has been the biggest player in this space, but it faces pressure from all sides. A CEO who has negotiated with major publishers and knows how to manage partnerships is a smart choice for this job.

OverDrive has been owned by KKR, a large investment company, since 2015. When an investment company holds onto a business for many years, it usually wants a leader who can make deals and improve profits, rather than someone focused purely on inventing new technology. DeBevoise fits that description well.

What DeBevoise plans to do first is not yet clear. OverDrive announced his appointment but did not share details about future products or business targets. We will likely hear more about his plans when he speaks publicly or when OverDrive announces its next major partnership.