American Express OPEN Connects and Educates Entrepreneurs with New Mobile Platform for OPEN Forum®

American Express OPEN is bringing its acclaimed social networking site, OPEN Forum (www.openforum.com), to on-the-go entrepreneurs via a new mobile platform. New features include an iPhone application and an optimized mobile webpage which will give users access to actionable advice and insights from Guy Kawasaki, Henry Blodget, Anita Campbell, Mashable bloggers and more.

Launched in 2007, OPEN Forum is an online resource and networking site designed to help business owners grow their enterprises by helping forge meaningful business connections and providing access to practical information from some of the best minds in business.

"A typical day for a modern small business owner is spent on the go,” says Scott Roen, vice president at American Express OPEN. "Entrepreneurs are always in need of tools and resources that can help them thrive anywhere, anytime. With the new OPEN Forum mobile platform, business owners have access to expert ideas and insights needed to get the job done — whether they're in the office, on the road, or at home.”

With the new iPhone application, available at the iPhone App Store or on the OPEN Forum Mobile landing page (www.openforum.com/mobile), small business owners will now be able to:

• Read the latest articles from OPEN Forum experts in categories such as innovation, lifestyle, managing, marketing, money, technology and the world;
• Watch videos from thought leaders such as Guy Kawasaki in full screen;
• Bookmark articles for later reading;
• Share articles with friends and followers on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn;
• Search for articles on particular topics, keywords or authors.

In addition to the iPhone app, OPEN Forum content will also be optimized for mobile web browsers, extending access to users on Blackberry® and other smartphones. While being able to view articles as soon as they are made available, users can also search for popular topics, keywords or authors and maintain and update connections on Connectodex®, a proprietary virtual rolodex of business owners designed to help make it easier for OPEN Forum members to connect, network, partner and learn.

About American Express OPEN

American Express OPEN is the leading payment card issuer for small businesses in the United States and supports business owners with products and services to help them run and grow their businesses. This includes business charge and credit cards that deliver purchasing power, flexibility, rewards, savings on business services from an expanded lineup of partners and online tools and services designed to help improve profitability. Learn more at www.OPEN.com and connect with us at www.openforum.com, www.facebook.com/open and www.twitter.com/openforum.

American Express is a global services company, providing customers with access to products, insights and experiences that enrich lives and build business success. Learn more at www.americanexpress.com and connect with us on www.facebook.com/americanexpress, www.twitter.com/americanexpress and www.youtube.com/americanexpress.

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