from the founder

VH1 celebrates Cincinnati in two-hour tour during Top 20 Video Countdown. Enough said. I could stop right there and not write another line, but I am compelled to tell you how gratifying this is for me and our team at metaphor. To say that this is a dream realized would most certainly be an understatement. Leadership by metaphor studio engaged Ohio Gov. Strickland, Sen. Voinovich, U.S. Reps. Chabot and Schmidt, members of Cincinnati City Council and the Ohio General Assembly to successfully cast the VH1 focus on Cincinnati's rebirth.

Five years ago it would have been difficult to fathom that this event could be considered, much less brought from vision to reality. In fact, earlier this year many naysayers refused to believe this event would occur. Thankfully, earlier this year metaphor added to its already incredibly talented roster, Raymond L. "Buz" Buse, III. For this man lives and breathes belief in the greatness that is this region. His career is an exceptionally crafted love story with Cincinnati at the center.

Of course my favorite quote, as many have heard me repeat countless times, "Progress in every age results only from the fact that there are some men and women who refuse to believe that what they know to be right cannot be done," by Russell W. Davenport.

Cincinnati and VH1 were actually made for each other. As the birthplace of King Records Cincinnati is arguably where the music now on VH1 was conceived.This is a musical city with textures and layers sometimes difficult to uncover. Talented and artistic individuals abound in every neighborhood. And neighborhoods are what make Cincinnati great. That sense of place is actualized in every single one through a personality that is unique and embodies a spirit of hip and historic vitality.

I cannot clearly express to you my pride in hearing the team from VH1 exclaim, "I can't believe how beautiful this city is! The hills, the architecture, the river, the restaurants, the locations are amazing! I thought it would be flat." They said this over drinks at Twist where metaphor hosted a party for Alison Becker and crew the night of their arrival. The genuine excitement in their voices and the beaming smiles told me what sort of positive direction the shoot would take.

Many people don't realize the difference between typical public relations efforts achieved in the corporate environment versus the political challenges of promoting a region through economic development efforts across state, county, city and neighborhood lines. Getting everyone to understand the benefits of the effort and subscribe to the vision beyond the politics is the key. metaphor has had the pleasure of achieving alignment with civic entities at every level over the past decade through our process of civic brand renewal through economic development.

My own, personal passion and mission has been to paint an accurate picture of this region for those looking in from the outside. The web has played an important role in this mission as metaphor has performed civic brand renewal and online brand renewal for many regional power houses including Cincinnati USA Regional Partnership for Economic Development, Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber, 3CDC (Cincinnati Center City Development Corporation), Port Authority of Greater Cincinnati, Downtown Cincinnati Inc., Fountain Square, City of Blue Ash, Cincinnati Arts Association, Contemporary Arts Center, Cincinnati Opera and many, many others.

So hats off to Buz and the rest of the metaphor team, in addition to the wonderfully talented and dedicated VH1 crew for making this Cincinnati love story a national reality. Our majestic Queen City deserves to be romanced in such a fashion by the entire United States.