New Publisher Bets on Free Print to Boost East Valley Business

Mesa City Lifestyle has a new owner.

Brett Merriman took over as publisher in October 2026. He previously played professional baseball for eight years. That included time with the Minnesota Twins in the major leagues. After sports, Merriman spent more than 25 years building businesses. He founded Big League Insurance before moving into technology sales. He said he missed being an entrepreneur. He wanted to build relationships in his own community.

Mesa City Lifestyle launched at the end of 2024. It is a free monthly magazine. The publication focuses on the East Valley. Every issue features local entrepreneurs and businesses. The magazine uses premium print quality. It aims to be a keepsake that readers display on coffee tables. The publication is part of City Lifestyle. That is a national family of community magazines. This gives the local outlet access to national brand resources.

Merriman joined the Mesa Chamber of Commerce to connect with business owners. He described the Chamber as full of people with good stories. The magazine’s role is to find and share those stories. The publication plans to support other members. It will show up at events. It seeks ways to help Chamber businesses get seen by their neighbors.

As an introduction to the Chamber, Merriman is offering a specific deal. Any member can upgrade their advertising to the next tier for free. The upgrade includes Free Editorials, City Scenes, Business Monthly, and Events. Businesses that partner with Mesa City Lifestyle on a print and digital package will receive deep discounts. They will also get one month free.

The magazine combines print with digital marketing. It offers targeted advertising on Facebook and Instagram. This helps local businesses reach customers on their phones. The goal is to create marketing that feels like community. It avoids a hard sales pitch. The publication states that it is 100% positive and 100% local. Every page focuses on Mesa people and businesses.

Readers keep the magazine because of the positive tone. They do not toss it away. For local businesses, the magazine tells the story behind the company. It helps readers get to know the people who run the business. The publication lists five core values. These include community first, positivity, and relationships over transactions. It also values quality and integrity.

Ashleigh Underwood serves as the editor for Mesa City Lifestyle. She works alongside Merriman. The team aims to make Mesa more connected through every issue. They celebrate what is going right in the city. They treat advertisers as partners. They view the success of their partners as their own. The company commits to beautiful design and real storytelling in every issue.

The new ownership marks a shift for the magazine. It began as a local publication in late 2024. It has grown into a monthly luxury publication. A growing group of local business partners supports it. These partners see value in being part of the community conversation. The addition of digital advertising expands its reach beyond print. The publication now connects with customers in physical spaces and on social media platforms.

Merriman brings a background in sales and entrepreneurship. He previously ran Big League Insurance. He later worked in technology sales. His experience in building businesses informs his approach to the magazine. He views the magazine as a tool for local connection. It serves as a platform for positive local stories. It also functions as a marketing channel for East Valley businesses.

The magazine maintains a strict local focus. It does not cover stories outside of Mesa and the East Valley. This keeps the content relevant to the immediate community. The premium print quality distinguishes it from standard newsletters. Readers treat it as a display item. Businesses use it to tell their human stories. The digital component ensures these stories reach people in their daily digital habits.

The Chamber of Commerce introduction is a strategic move. It aligns the magazine with local business leaders. The free upgrade offer lowers the barrier for entry. It allows members to test the platform. The print and digital package provides a comprehensive marketing solution. The discount and free month are incentives for early adoption. The goal is to build a stable base of local partners.