(Savannah, GA) July 16, 2007 – The Creative Coast Initiative (TCCi) proudly announces that the online social network for creatives, Oddpodz, selects Savannah for their headquarters, design, development and customer service center after one weekend in Savannah, The Creative Coast. Inspired by the innovative community, the entrepreneurial spirit and the beauty of the city, Oddpodz CEO realized making the most of their momentum, strategic partners like Atlantic Records, and second round of funding in one of America’s most creative regions was indispensable.

The Oddpodz online community was founded in 2006 by entrepreneurs Karen Post, a national branding expert, speaker and author of “Brain Tattoos: Creating Unique Brands That Stick in Your Customers’ Minds”, and Jocelyn Ring, a former investment banker.

“Savannah has the creative energy we needed to truly grow an international brand. And the initiative that TCCi has launched to attract other knowledge-based, creative and technology companies further complements our vision and is an ideal business/lifestyle location,” explained Post, CEO. “We considered San Francisco, New York and Austin, but with the array of business resources and assistance from TCCi’s Chris Miller and team, the choice was easy.”

Where MySpace and Facebook pioneered the mass-market online community, Oddpodz will attract older users ages 25 plus from the Creative Class, along with advertisers relevant to this influential segment of people. The company currently services a community of over 20,000 people. They provide networking tools, a marketplace, publish a weekly e-zine, host a blog, and provide an array of creative content for members.

Richard Florida author of best-selling book, “The Rise of the Creative Class,” coined and service marked the term “Creative Class.” His studies show this population represents 30% of all employed, nearly half of all salaries, and estimates there are about 38 million “Creative Classers” in the U.S. with more than 150 million around the world.

Oddpodz’ goal is to work closely with local venues and to recruit top-flight professionals. They will soon have staffing needs in operations, finance, marketing and technology. As a global brand, satellite teams will also be created. Post says, “We anticipate our core team building this next year with at least 20 professionals in Savannah or surrounding markets.”

TCCi’s Executive Director says, “When the TCCi team met Karen and Jocelyn, we knew immediately that Oddpodz would be a perfect match for Savannah. Having a great Web 2.0 start up that corrals creatives in this quirky town only further fuels Savannah’s creative fire.”

Oddpodz joins more than 400 other brain-based businesses already calling Savannah, The Creative Coast home. These businesses can locate anywhere, and choose to be in Savannah. The City of Savannah, Chatham County, and the Savannah Economic Development Authority (SEDA) have helped to attract businesses like Oddpodz by strategically marketing Savannah’s local assets, incomparable quality of life and broad range of creative, educational, cultural and technical amenities. Over the past three years, the combined efforts have grown and attracted 25 businesses that created 199 jobs, generating approximately $11.1 million in annual wages.

Notes to editors:

Oddpodz, www.oddpodz.com, is a global nation for creatives that is more than an online community and an international brand that connects millions of change agents, curious thinkers and optimistic doers. Where MySpace and Facebook pioneered the mass-market online community, Oddpodz will attract older users ages 25 plus from the Creative Classsm, along with advertisers relevant to this influential segment of people. There are roughly 38 million “Creative Classers” in the U.S. and more than 150 million around the world.

The Creative Coast Initiative (TCCi), www.thecreativecoast.org, a City/SEDA/County partnership designed to grow and attract knowledge businesses to add to Savannah’s growing higher-wage economic capacity. Since its inception three years ago, TCCi has been instrumental in the growth and attraction of 25 businesses, creating 199 jobs, ultimately generating approximately $11.1 million in annual wages.

Savannah Economic Development Authority (SEDA), www.seda.org, works to improve the standard of living for all citizens of Chatham County by stimulating the economy through the attraction of new investment, the creation of jobs and the support of established businesses in the area. In 2005, SEDA was involved in the creation of 1,434 new jobs at build-out and the generation of $269,200,000 in new investment in Chatham County.

Contact:

Angel Ratcliffe

The Creative Coast Initiative

(912) 447-8457

acratcliffe@thecreativecoast.org

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