Ideablob.com Kicks Off Nationwide Bloblive Tour

SPRING HOUSE, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ideablob, the popular online entrepreneurs’ social community inspired by Advanta Corp. (NASDAQ: ADVNB; ADVNA), today announced the schedule for the initial phase of its bloblive 2009 nationwide tour. The bloblive tour is a series of open mic nights for business dreamers. More specifically, the events are unique opportunities for entrepreneurs to participate in free, live brainstorms with other entrepreneurs in their own communities and online at www.bloblive.com. Bloblive events are led by Ami Kassar, Advanta’s Chief Innovation Officer and President of ideablob Corp.

Bloblive events are known for drawing a crowd – from entrepreneurs and small business owners to students, artists, investors and friends. With their fun social settings and natural networking atmosphere, bloblive events are the perfect opportunity for dreamers and schemers to take the mic, practice their elevator pitch and let their ideas fly. With feedback from the audience and Mr. Kassar, new perspectives and ideas are born at lightning speed.

“Business visionaries can make major strides in furthering or fine-tuning their ideas by receiving feedback from their peers and other innovators. It’s an exciting and fruitful process for everyone involved,” explained Kassar. “By providing real, hands-on advice, bloblive events can be an enlightening and beneficial tool for the entrepreneur, particularly in this challenging economy.”

Bloblive events, which started in 2008, have hit the road in 2009, traveling cross-country to turbo-charge business ideas nationwide. The events kicked-off last night with a stop in San Diego, and the tour will continue in Los Angeles on January 12 and Philadelphia on January 15.

Visit bloblive.com to see where “the blob” strikes next!

About ideablob Corp.

Ideablob is a vital online community where tens of thousands of small business owners and entrepreneurs actively share business ideas, feedback, advice and support. In addition, experts from various industries take part in weekly ideablob discussions, offering their direct advice to site users for honing and implementing their business concepts. Ideablob Corp. awards a monthly prize to the best eligible idea, as voted on by members of the ideablob community. Recent winners include nonprofit leaders, social entrepreneurs, software developers and a “mom-preneur” seeking to put organic food in school vending machines. Learn more about ideablob at www.ideablob.com.

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.

Note to editors - January bloblive tour dates/locations include the following:

San Diego

Wednesday, January 7 (coming soon – video highlights on bloblive.com!)

6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Henry’s Pub

618 5th Avenue/San Diego

Up Next:

Los Angeles

Monday, January 12

6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Westwood Brewing Company

1097 Glendon Avenue/Westwood

Philadelphia

Thursday, January 15

6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

McGillin's Olde Ale House

1310 Drury Street/Philadelphia