In February of the year 2000, Ran Mullins, Founder and CEO of Metaphor, decided that there was a need in Cincinnati, Ohio’s historic Over-the-Rhine community for a clearinghouse of information. The strategy centered on an image and marketing campaign starting with a Web site where all interested parties could share information at will, and the entire Greater Cincinnati area could listen in at the click of a button.
The result was iRhine. The Web site went live on April 20, 2001. This year we celebrated with a printed magazine distributed to 63,000 in the Cincinnati Enquirer’s CiN Weekly. iRhine’s information, programs, and services have increased the community’s capacity to:- Accelerate economic development through educating the public about the history, local industry, and culture within Over-the-Rhine.
- Operate proactively by providing the necessary communication resources.
- Promote initiatives aimed to reduce crime, litter, and unemployment in Over-the-Rhine.
iRhine was created as a community marketing initiative focused on the many benefits of the historic neighborhood of Over-the-Rhine. iRhine represents a NEW Cincinnati. This involves new ways of thinking about Cincinnati culture, new ways of looking at Cincinnatians, and new ways of acting and living in downtown Cincinnati. “We want the community to be heard, as a whole saying, ‘I live in Over-the-Rhine, I work in Over-the-Rhine, I eat in Over-the-Rhine, etc... I Rhine!’”
“Cincinnati’s greatest asset lies in the heart of our beautiful city. Other towns have stadiums and amusement parks, but they are not the ‘Paris of America.’ We must work together to revitalize Over-the-Rhine. From galleries and shop owners, to bakeries and grocery stores, let’s make it safe, clean and profitable for everyone. This is the future of Cincinnati, and it is time that the citizens take responsibility for their community,” Mullins states.
A culturally diverse community is a culturally rich community and that community is Over-the-Rhine. It is time that Cincinnati starts exploiting this fact rather than trying to hide it. We all have an idea of what we want this community to be and this community has the ability to be many things.
Increasing numbers of residents and visitors to Cincinnati are rediscovering the charms of Over-the-Rhine. Historic Findlay Market bustles with activity on market days. The trees and open space of Washington Park invite passersby to slow their pace. Main Street, with its collection of shops and restaurants, is rapidly becoming a regional entertainment district.
The Ensemble Theater on Vine Street attracts national attention with its innovative productions and premieres of new plays by acclaimed playwrights. Music Hall and Memorial Hall host a wide variety of performances and special events throughout the year.
The community’s remarkable nineteenth-century buildings set the stage for life, work and play in the community, creating an historical environment that is uniquely “Over-the-Rhine.” 
iRhine’s 5th
Anniversary Magazine
Our Web site, iRhine.com, launched on April 20, 2001. On June 7, 2006 we celebrated our Web site launch with an anniversary print magazine distributed to over 63,000 through the Cincinnati Enquirer’s CiN Weekly Magazine.
The cover story featured a promotion for our first annual Opera Dogs event in historic Washington Park in Over-the-Rhine. The event featured contests for best costume and best singing. 
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