# Mary Ann O’Brien

> Mary Ann O’Brien is the Omaha-based founder and CEO of OBI Creative, a marketing and advertising agency built around customer research. Her career includes Gateway Computers and technology entrepreneurship; she developed the O’Brien Voice of the Customer and Voice of the Employee studies, wrote Ask & Deliver, and was inducted into the Omaha Business Hall of Fame in 2023.

- **Role:** Founder and CEO at OBI Creative
- **Organizations:** OBI Creative, Gateway Computers, Hotpaper.com, GoAmerica Communications, Forbes Agency Council
- **Education:** Marketing degree, University of Iowa
- **Known for:** Developed the O’Brien Voice of the Customer and Voice of the Employee research studies., Inducted into the Omaha Business Hall of Fame in 2023., Author of Ask & Deliver: Discover the Heart of Your Business by Listening to the Voice of Your Customers (Forbes Books, 2023).

## Career timeline

- **—** — Worked at Gateway Computers in integrated marketing; later biographies identify her as a former Gateway CMO.
- **1998** — Co-founded Hotpaper.com in San Francisco.
- **—** — After Hotpaper.com was acquired by GoAmerica Communications, served as vice president of business development and sales.
- **2001** — Founded OBI Creative, according to current official biographies and her 2026 anniversary interview.
- **2006** — Moved her agency from California to Omaha.
- **2012** — Delivered a keynote at the Nebraska Summit on Entrepreneurship.
- **2023** — Inducted into the Omaha Business Hall of Fame; Ask & Deliver published December 5.
- **2026** — Discussed 25 years of OBI Creative and the impact of AI on marketing in public interviews.

## Achievements

- Developed the O’Brien Voice of the Customer and Voice of the Employee research studies.
- Inducted into the Omaha Business Hall of Fame in 2023.
- Author of Ask & Deliver: Discover the Heart of Your Business by Listening to the Voice of Your Customers (Forbes Books, 2023).
- Led national and global strategic initiatives for brands including Intel, Microsoft, Sony and Lenovo.
- Led OBI Creative to Stevie Company of the Year recognition.

## Latest updates

- **2026-08** — In an August 18 Bizwomen interview, discussed OBI Creative’s 25th anniversary, agency independence and changes in her leadership approach.
- **2026-07** — In a July 13 Serious Insights interview, discussed AI, brand specificity and the continued role of human creative judgment.

## Links

- Website: https://www.maryannobrien.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maryannobrien/
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/maob444
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maryannobrienceo

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/mary-obrien
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-06