I got a call back from Mario Gedicke because I was interested in chatting with him about his freshly launched publication, LIV Magazine. These days, it’s not as common to pick up the phone and have a conversation. I even recall asking if he preferred I just email my questions. It turns out Gedicke is a true character. So much would have been missed if we hadn’t just talked. In many ways, that reflects the overarching theme of our conversation: meaningful connection.
A Magazine built with purpose
He was calling from a luxury boutique hotel in Germany. He noted the beauty and timelessness around him and the desire to create a feature about it. Gedicke has been in the publishing industry for more than 15 years. He just released ISSUE 02 of LIV Magazine which focuses on community, fashion, and lifestyle in southern BC, and he’s expanding. Already launching a publication in Alberta with more in the works, for him, this excitement, hype, interest and abounding growth prove that if you have a good product, it will be successful. “People say and think, print is dead. Print is not dead – it speaks for itself.”
LIV Magazine, is built with purpose. It exists in a time and place where we receive content overload daily. For Gedicke, intentional media is the breakaway his audience desires. As a high-end community lifestyle magazine, Gedicke aims to elevate local stories and celebrate them. It is about success and inspiration presented in a beautiful way.
Iconic
In this issue, a dedicated section titled Iconic brings that philosophy to life. Iconic is a curated feature designed to elevate individuals and organizations through intentional storytelling. Thoughtful narratives paired with dramatically composed portraits by Hudson Wren Photography reinforce Gedicke’s belief that beauty and substance work hand in hand. By elevating both the storytelling and the physical print experience, the content takes on a more premium feel. It encourages readers to slow down, connect, and view the subject as something more meaningful.
“quadrupled” web traffic and engagement, with people going “apesh*t” for stories featuring someone they know
The response has been immediate. Gedicke shared that the Iconic series has “quadrupled” web traffic and engagement, with people going “apesh*t” for stories featuring someone they know or recognize from their own community. That sense of recognition carries further in print. People are far more inclined to share that they were “in a magazine,” not just another @ tag or mention online. As he put it, “The moment something becomes tangible, it becomes real.”
One of our own
One of the reasons I wanted to connect with Gedicke in the first place was because he had featured our very own Mitchell Vice President of Sales, AJ Rai, in the Iconic section. When I asked why he chose AJ, he didn’t hesitate: “because he’s f*@!king handsome,” he joked.
Humour aside, the reasoning ran deeper. Gedicke pointed to AJ’s strong presence, success in blending technology and print, the diversity he represents, and a clear commitment to exceptional customer service. These are qualities that align naturally with the kind of stories Iconic aims to tell.
Behind the feature is also a working relationship. Gedicke shared that bringing LIV Magazine to life from the ground up required the right partners, and that Mitchell played a key role in that process. Mitchell supported LIV Magazine in becoming a publication with presence, quality, and the ability to stand out in a crowded space.
That collaboration is part of what makes a feature like AJ’s feel authentic. It’s not just about showcasing a business — it’s about recognizing the people and partnerships behind it. When that story is brought to life in print, it carries a different kind of weight.
The value of print
For Gedicke, the value of print isn’t rooted in nostalgia, it comes from experience. Having worked with larger media companies, he saw firsthand how easily the connection to the audience can be lost. “Don’t create sh*t for the sake of creating”. In chasing scale, the focus often shifts away from what people actually want: stories that feel relevant, personal, and worth their time.
“If you create a beautiful magazine, people want to read it.”
Print offers a way back to that connection. It creates a more intentional experience with content that is considered, designed, and produced with care. And that care is felt. As Gedicke put it, “If you create a beautiful magazine, people want to read it.” There’s a sense of legitimacy that comes with being featured in something tangible. It is something people can hold, keep, and share, especially within communities that rarely see themselves represented in that way.
It’s a shift from passive consumption to meaningful engagement. When stories are thoughtfully crafted and presented through print, they don’t just reach an audience — they resonate with them.
Creating With Purpose
That perspective shapes everything behind LIV Magazine. For Gedicke, content isn’t about filling space, it’s about intention. “Don’t create content just for the sake of creating. Find the purpose and serve it. Inspire with purpose.” he affirmed. It’s a philosophy that stands in contrast to much of today’s media landscape, where speed often outweighs substance.
As I wrapped up the call with Mario, it became clear that everything behind LIV comes back to intention — how it’s created, and who it’s created for.
LIV is built around that idea, highlighting people, businesses, and communities in a way that feels considered and meaningful. The goal isn’t just to tell stories, but to present them in a way that reflects their importance.
“When stories are elevated, communities respond.”
And the response speaks for itself. “When stories are elevated, communities respond.” As LIV continues to grow into new regions, that commitment remains the foundation — creating work that not only captures attention, but leaves a lasting impression.
