- Ideablob: where ideas grow

Brian Reich - This Week's Guest Advisor

Category: Guest Advisors | Posted: 07/15/2008

Brian Reich Featured as ideablob.com Guest Advisor

What: Brian Reich, the Principal at echoditto, an online communications group that creates vibrant communities and empowers people through the creative use of emerging technologies, is serving as ideablob.com’s featured guest advisor for the week of July 14, 2008.

Who: Reich is an expert in the use of new technologies to improve communications and to support fundraising for political and non-profit organizations.

During the 1996 cycle, Reich was the youngest campaign manager in the nation, leading a U.S. Congress challenger race in Connecticut. Reich is a regular writer and speaker on the issues involving the impact of the Internet and technology on politics, society and the media.

Reich is also the editor of Thinking About Media, a blog examining media consumption habits around the world. His book, Media Rules!, was published last December.

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Ideablob.com is a vibrant and active community where small business owners and entrepreneurs are sharing business ideas in exchange for feedback, advice and votes from the community.

Advanta, one of the nation’s largest credit card issuers (through Advanta Bank Corp.) in the small business market, awards a $10,000 monthly prize to the best eligible idea, as determined by the votes of the ideablob community.

Why: This week Reich will be available to provide expert consulting for businesses in the communications and Internet fields.

This is a great opportunity for business owners and entrepreneurs to pose serious business questions to a seasoned professional. It’s just one example of the innovative ways that ideablob and Advanta are helping small business owners and entrepreneurs realize their dreams.

Where: www.ideablob.com

When: The week of July 14, 2008

Contact: David Goodman Jennifer Sherlock

Vice President, Communications PR Manager

Advanta Advanta

215-444-5073 215-444-5592

dgoodman@advanta.com jsherlock@advanta.com

There is no purchase necessary to enter the ideablob.com contest. Contest began on 9/24/07 at 12:00:00 am CT and ends on 9/30/08 at 11:59:59 pm CT. Open to legal residents of the 50 U.S. states and D.C. who are of the legal age of majority in their state of residence at the time of entry. Void where prohibited. Official Rules are available online at www.ideablob.com. Sponsored by Advanta Bank Corp., PO Box 30715, Salt Lake City, UT 84130-0715. Ideablob and ideablob.com are registered service marks of Advanta Bank Corp.

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Project Epiphany is June $10k Winner!

Category: Winning Announcement | Posted: 07/10/2008

A Plan to Bring Astronomy to the Inner City Wins the National ideablob.com^® Contest for June's Best Small Business Idea

Atlanta resident Jessica Hammock, a Teach for America alum and doctoral student at Emory University, will develop astronomy curriculums for underprivileged youth. Hammock will use ideablob's $10,000 prize to purchase telescopes and offset startup expenses.

SPRING HOUSE, Penn., July 10, 2008 — Advanta Corp. (NASDAQ: ADVNB; ADVNA) announced today that Jessica Hammock of Atlanta, Ga. is the June winner of ideablob.com's monthly contest for the best small business idea, as voted on by the ideablob community.

Hammock’s company, Project Epiphany, offers urban elementary and middle school students the chance to use real telescopes to learn the principles of astronomy and explore the night sky. Hammock hopes the project will inspire future astronomers and provide children with hands-on activities and astronomy field trips to dark sky sites where students can see the stars in a way that is impossible in an urban environment.

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This innovative collaboration among after-school programs, science educators and astronomers provides elementary and middle school students with the resources necessary to explore unique lunar, solar, planetary and deep space phenomena.

“Project Epiphany has grown naturally out of my interests in science education and social justice,” said Hammock. "With this award from ideablob.com, I’ll be able to get kids out of the city to experience real astronomy with real equipment.”

Hammock plans to use most of the $10,000 prize to buy equipment like a solar telescope, so kids can look at the sun during the day. She also plans to use the award money to pay for web design and additional field trips.

“The ideablob community picked eight women finalists for the month of June, and three of them, including our winner, were Teach For America alumni,” said Ami Kassar, Advanta’s Chief Innovation Officer. “We’re proud to have our June winner involved in a project that helps America’s youth aim for a better future."

The two Teach For America (TFA) alumni that joined Hammock in the finals were Elizabeth Devlin and Efe Osagie. Devlin’s idea was called Girl Talk: Read to Achieve, and Efe's idea was titled Meaningful Education in Africa. TFA’s mission is to eliminate educational inequity by enlisting future leaders to teach in underprivileged areas. Currently, some 5,000 TFA corps members teach in 26 urban and rural regions profoundly affected by the achievement gap.

Ideablob.com is an active community where small business owners and entrepreneurs are sharing business ideas and receiving feedback, advice and support from the community. Experts from various industries take part in the ideablob discussions and offer their input on how burgeoning entrepreneurs can capitalize on their ideas.

Advanta, one of the nation’s largest credit card issuers (through Advanta Bank Corp.) in the small business market, awards a $10,000 monthly prize to the best eligible idea, as determined by the votes of the ideablob community. In recent months, Advanta has awarded the monthly prize to software developers, non-profit leaders and several social entrepreneurs.

To review the ideas submitted by past ideablob winners, please visit www.ideablob.com.

There is no purchase necessary to enter the ideablob.com^® Contest. Contest began on 9/24/07 at 12:00:00 am CT and ends on 9/30/08 at 11:59:59 pm CT. Open to legal residents of the 50 U.S. states and D.C. who are of the legal age of majority in their state of residence at the time of entry. Void where prohibited. Official Rules are available online at www.ideablob.com. Sponsored by Advanta Bank Corp., PO Box 30715, Salt Lake City, UT 84130-0715. Ideablob and ideablob.com are registered service marks owned by Advanta Bank Corp.

About Advanta
Advanta is one of the nation’s largest credit card issuers (through Advanta Bank Corp.) in the small business market today. Advanta’s exclusive focus on this market, as well as its size, experience, and commitment to developing meaningful product offerings and a high level of service tailored to the needs of small businesses, differentiates the company from other issuers. Founded in 1951, Advanta has long been an innovator in developing and introducing many of the marketing techniques that are common in the financial services industry today. Learn more about Advanta at www.advanta.com.

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08/19

Media Contacts

David M. Goodman

Vice President, Communications
215-444-5073
dgoodman@advanta.com

Jennifer Sherlock

Manager, PR and Events

215-444-5592

jsherlock@advanta.com

MWW for Advanta

Ben Hawken

MWW Group

201-478-1828

bhawken@mww.com

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Richard Singer - This Week's Guest Advisor

Category: Guest Advisors | Posted: 07/07/2008

Richard Singer Featured as ideablob.com Guest Advisor

What: Richard Singer, the CEO of RaiseCapital.com, is serving as ideablob.com’s featured guest advisor for the week of July 7, 2008. RaiseCapital.com is a free online community where entrepreneurs and small businesses can market their ventures to investors.

Ideablob.com is a vibrant and active community where small business owners and entrepreneurs are sharing business ideas in exchange for feedback, advice and votes from the community. Advanta, one of the nation’s largest credit card issuers (through Advanta Bank Corp.) in the small business market, awards a $10,000 monthly prize to the best idea, as determined by the votes of the ideablob community.

Who: Singer has extensive experience in the capital markets and can advise people on capitalization, organizing a new business, incorporation, business planning, small business credit issues and public relations.

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Singer is looking forward to providing business owners and entrepreneurs with a forum to discuss the issues surrounding raising capital in difficult economic times.

Why: This week, Singer will be available to provide expert consulting on topics such as interacting with potential investors and effectively communicating business ideas or ventures to financiers.

This is a unique opportunity for business owners and entrepreneurs to pose serious business questions to a seasoned professional. It’s just one example of the innovative ways that ideablob and Advanta are helping small business owners and entrepreneurs realize their dreams.

Where: www.ideablob.com

When: The week of July 7, 2008

Contact: David Goodman Jennifer Sherlock

Vice President, Communications PR Manager

Advanta Advanta

215-444-5073 215-444-5592

dgoodman@advanta.com jsherlock@advanta.com

There is no purchase necessary to enter the ideablob.com contest. Contest began on 9/24/07 at 12:00:00 am CT and ends on 9/30/08 at 11:59:59 pm CT. Open to legal residents of the 50 U.S. states and D.C. who are of the legal age of majority in their state of residence at the time of entry. Void where prohibited. Official Rules are available online at www.ideablob.com. Sponsored by Advanta Bank Corp., PO Box 30715, Salt Lake City, UT 84130-0715. Ideablob and ideablob.com are registered service marks of Advanta Bank Corp.

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Ideablob and YE Team Up

Category: Inside ideablob | Posted: 07/07/2008

Making a Difference: New Collaboration Between ideablob.com and YoungEntrepreneur.com

How do you solve society's ills? What can we do to change the world? If you grapple with questions like these, then join the discussion on YoungEntrepreneur.com. Ideablob has recently teamed up with YoungEntrepreneur.com (YE) to create a social entrepreneurship forum for young adults. It’s an online discussion board to stimulate the ideas that make a difference.

Ideablob.com is collaborating with YE to develop the ultimate resource for business owners and entrepreneurial enthusiasts by providing a one-stop shop for every business resource need. This joint effort will feature exclusive articles, interviews with guest advisors, and a free membership-based forum to post ideas and gain valuable advice from thousands of contributors.

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The votes are in. Stay tuned!

Category: Winning Announcement | Posted: 07/01/2008

We are “verifying” the June winner who will be announced shortly.

In the meantime, continue to vote, explore other ideas or submit your own idea. You could be the next winner!

Note: Results are subject to verification. Announcement of a winner is subject to the requirements in the Official Contest Rules.

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Diane MacEachern - This Week's Guest Advisor

Category: Guest Advisors | Posted: 06/30/2008

Diane MacEachern Featured as ideablob.com Guest Advisor

What: Diane MacEachern, the founder and president of Big Green Purse, is serving as ideablob.com’s featured guest advisor for the week of June 30, 2008.

MacEachern is an expert on how to use the marketplace to protect the environment. Her new book, “Big Green Purse: Use Your Spending Power to Create a Cleaner, Greener World,” helps consumers choose what to buy in order to influence manufacturers to go green.

Ideablob.com is a vibrant and active community where small business owners and entrepreneurs are sharing business ideas in exchange for feedback, advice and votes from the community.

Advanta, one of the nation’s largest credit card issuers (through Advanta Bank Corp.) in the small business market, awards a $10,000 monthly prize to the best eligible idea, as determined by the votes of the ideablob community.

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Who: A best selling author and award-winning entrepreneur, MacEachern specializes in teaching the public--and especially women entrepreneurs--to take actions that will make a difference through her books, articles and speeches. She also helps environmental organizations engage more women as members, activists and donors.

MacEachern also teaches manufacturers how to be green so they can engage consumers looking for environmentally-friendly products.

She is currently working to organize one million women to redirect $1,000 they would otherwise use on everyday purchases and instead use it for products and services that offer the greatest environmental benefit.

Where: www.ideablob.com

When: The week of June 30, 2008

Why: This week MacEachern will be available to provide expert consulting for businesses that face environmental issues.

This is a great opportunity for business owners and entrepreneurs to pose serious business questions to a seasoned professional. It’s just one example of the innovative ways that ideablob and Advanta are helping small business owners and entrepreneurs realize their dreams.

Contact: David Goodman Jennifer Sherlock

Vice President, Communications PR Manager

Advanta Advanta

215-444-5073 215-444-5592

dgoodman@advanta.com jsherlock@advanta.com

There is no purchase necessary to enter the ideablob.com contest. Contest began on 9/24/07 at 12:00:00 am CT and ends on 9/30/08 at 11:59:59 pm CT. Open to legal residents of the 50 U.S. states and D.C. who are of the legal age of majority in their state of residence at the time of entry. Void where prohibited. Official Rules are available online at www.ideablob.com. Sponsored by Advanta Bank Corp., PO Box 30715, Salt Lake City, UT 84130-0715. Ideablob and ideablob.com are registered service marks of Advanta Bank Corp.

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Hanover Day & May ideablob winner Alex Eaves

Category: Inside ideablob | Posted: 06/26/2008

Norwell native Alex Eaves, May’s winner in the national ideablob contest for the best small business idea, received his $20,000 prize at Hanover Day on Saturday, June 21st.

Check him out with Ami and the big check!

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Notable Mentions

Category: In the News | Posted: 06/25/2008

Videos

ABC News Now 6/24/08- ideablob.com on ABC News Now

Fox Business News 5/28/08- ideablob.com on Fox Business News

WFMZ 5/28/08- ideablob.com in the news on WFMZ

WTAJ-TV 5/08/08- PSU Students with Great Ideas Get $10,000

Blogs / Articles

The M.A.P Maker 07/14/08 9 ways to help people to help you

HaveFunDoGood 06/27/08 You Could Win $10,000 for Your Do-Good Business Idea

Netbanker.com 06/27/08 Small Business Networks

News on Women 06/27/08 Eight Women Sprint to the Finish Line on ideablob.com

VerdaVivo 06/25/08 Website of the Day: Ideablob

Boston Herald 06/22/08 Recycling goods just comes natural

Wall Street Journal Blog 06/17/08 Four Ways to Find Your Next Business Idea

Wall Street Journal 6/17/08- Finding New Business Ideas

ClickAdvisor.com 6/3/08- Advanta's Crowdsourcing and Crowdfunding Platforms

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Ideablob Forum on YoungEntrepreneur.com

Category: Inside ideablob | Posted: 06/25/2008

How do you solve society's ills? What can we do to change the world? If you grapple with questions like these, then join the discussion on YoungEntrepreneur.com. Ideablob has recently teamed up with YoungEntrepreneur.com to create a social entrepreneurship forum. It’s a place to stimulate, inspire and share ideas that make a difference.

Click here to check out YoungEntrepreneur.com.

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Ridgely Evers - This Week's Guest Advisor

Category: Guest Advisors | Posted: 06/23/2008

Ridgely Evers Featured as
ideablob.com Guest Advisor

What: Ridgely Evers, the Chairman and Founder of NetBooks (www.NetBooks.com), a business management system specifically designed for small businesses, is serving as ideablob.com’s featured guest advisor for the week of June 23, 2008.

Ideablob.com is a vibrant and active community where small business owners and entrepreneurs are sharing business ideas in exchange for feedback, advice and votes from the community. Advanta, one of the nation’s largest credit card issuers (through Advanta Bank Corp.) in the small business market, awards a $10,000 monthly prize to the best eligible idea, as determined by the votes of the ideablob community.

Who: Evers has been CEO of several technology startups, including Exactly Vertical, a supply-chain automation for small business, and nCircle, an Internet network security company. His expertise spans a broad range of issues facing online companies and emerging startups.

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Evers bought his first computer in 1967, and later started his first business in the early 1970s. In 1990 he founded DaVero Sonoma (www.DaVero.com), a producer of extra virgin olive oils, wines, and other artisan food products, which he and his wife Colleen McGlynn still operate.

Where: www.ideablob.com

When: The week of June 23, 2008

Why: This week Evers will be available to provide expert consulting on topics such as innovative ways to finance, expand and market small companies.

This is a unique opportunity for business owners and entrepreneurs to pose serious business questions to a seasoned professional. It’s just one example of the innovative ways that ideablob and Advanta are helping small business owners and entrepreneurs realize their dreams.

Contact: David Goodman Jennifer Sherlock

Vice President, Communications PR Manager

Advanta Advanta

215-444-5073 215-444-5592

dgoodman@advanta.com jsherlock@advanta.com

There is no purchase necessary to enter the ideablob.com contest. Contest began on 9/24/07 at 12:00:00 am CT and ends on 9/30/08 at 11:59:59 pm CT. Open to legal residents of the 50 U.S. states and D.C. who are of the legal age of majority in their state of residence at the time of entry. Void where prohibited. Official Rules are available online at www.ideablob.com. Sponsored by Advanta Bank Corp., PO Box 30715, Salt Lake City, UT 84130-0715. Ideablob and ideablob.com are registered service marks of Advanta Bank Corp.

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