Helen Siwak, EIC & Publisher
A passionate storyteller and an obsessive digital content creator with a knack for repurposing, Helen arrived in Vancouver in 1989 and quickly launched the seminal underground magazine ‘In Hell’s Belly.’ The city’s first hybrid arts, culture, and activism magazine. Two years later, she was firmly entrenched in underground publishing, artist management in music, tv/film, and contracting in entertainment law.
In 1998, having written, produced, cast, directed, edited, and music supervised for tv/film with Canadian icons, she toured NA as a band manager and walked red carpets at VIFF, TIFF, Cannes, and SXSW.
Over the years, she has sought out and interviewed icons (Giorgio Armani, Pamela Anderson, Martin Sheen, Bryan Adams, Andrew Gn, Stefano Ricci, Thierry Manfred Mugler), and the infamous (Larry Flynt, Raif Adelberg, Ron Jeremy, Marilyn Manson), and more.
A renewed interest in publishing came in 2015 when she acquired BLUSHVancouver digital magazine and re-built it into a lucrative asset with 1M visitors in its first year. Creating a women’s mid-market lifestyle brand funded with sponsored content was new and exciting. After a year of events, travel, personality spotlights, sales and web development, she was ready to move on and sold the company.
Doors opened at VancityBuzz (now Daily Hive) and multiple Toronto-based digital lifestyle magazines. Through her network, Helen extended her reach into the print world as Editor-in-Chief of the now-defunct HLM Luxury Lifestyle Magazine and a senior contributor to Boulevard Magazine (English & Chinese) before returning to digital as West Coast Correspondent of Retail-Insider, a contributor to Montecristo Magazine, and numerous others.
In December 2019, seeking to fill a void in the local market for effective, eco-friendly and distraction-free content, she launched EcoLuxLifestyle.co and Folio.YVR Luxury Lifestyle (flippable and digital versions) as marketing vehicles for her latest venture – EcoLuxLuv Communications and Marketing. ELL Comms specializes in guiding small BC-based businesses with ethical and eco-friendly mandates to success through digital solid foundation development and comprehensive marketing strategies.
In August 2023, Helen launched PORTFOLIO.YVR Business & Entrepreneurs Magazine, a partner publication to Folio.YVR, showcases the stories of 10 Canadians who are creating, innovating, and making waves in their industries. Using storytelling to create connection with the reader, each story shares three aspects – overview, biography, and the journey ‘In Their Words.’
For over a decade, Helen has worked with brands to tell their stories through content creation, publishing, and digital marketing. She has never been one to shy away from a challenge; she is an expert-level problem-solver and an unorthodox troubleshooter with an extensive network of international connections honed from decades of entrepreneurism.
Reach Helen at helen@folioyvr.com or by cell 778-847-3011.
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Marianne Strang, Digital Marketing Strategist
As a recent business graduate with a strong interest in marketing, Marianne Strang is not just excited but also eager to share her journey and aspirations in the dynamic world of digital sales.
Marianne’s academic background has provided a solid foundation in business principles. Still, her hands-on experience as a marketing coordinator this past year truly ignited Marianne’s passion for marketing.
During her time as a marketing coordinator, she had the opportunity to work on various programs that not only were challenging creatively but also honed her analytical skills. Collaborating with a talented team, she learned many digital marketing strategies, from social media engagement and newsletter releases to website development. This experience solidified Marianne’s desire to pursue a career in marketing, where she can harness her skills to drive impactful results.
Marianne is not just passionate about marketing, but also about continuous learning and adaptation. She is eager to enhance her knowledge and expertise in digital sales, recognizing it as the future of marketing. With the ever-evolving landscape of technology and consumer behaviour, she is committed to staying ahead of the curve and embracing innovative strategies that resonate with audiences. She looks forward to connecting with fellow marketing enthusiasts, industry professionals, and influencers who share her passion for this exciting field.
Reach Marianne at info at folioyvr.com
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Anya Munro, Jr Social Media Manager
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Sarah Tattersall, Jr Social Media Manager
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Kate Pickering, Writer & Research Assistant
An experienced writer and journalist, Kate Pickering brings to the team a fresh perspective on what is happening in the world of eco-luxury and elevated retail experiences and to share the legacy of legendary designers who have made fashion in the 21st century what it is. From the oft-celebrated to those whom history has forgotten, watch for her monthly pieces that will surely ignite interest in the stories of the visionaries who have paved the way for the designers we covet today.