Phototron Announces New Online Sales Initiatives with the Appointment of Social Media Expert Mike Zappy as Chief Internet Strategist

WOODLAND HILLS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Phototron Holdings, Inc. (OTCBB: PHOT) (OTCQB: PHOT), the designer, manufacturer and seller of the innovative PHOTOTRON Hydroponic Indoor Grow System, today announced the appointment of Brian Sagheb as President and CEO, replacing Doug Braun, as well as Phototron’s new online sales initiatives with the appointment of renowned social media expert Mike Zappy as Chief Internet Strategist. Mr. Braun will remain with the company in a key consulting capacity overseeing the company’s public school initiative while continuing to shape the infrastructure for the now established direct sales model.

“At Phototron, we are helping people who want to reconnect with their primal instinct to garden, even if they happen to live in the city or an apartment”

Phototron's new strategic initiatives in online marketing will be deployed over the next several months in conjunction with the company’s existing direct selling business model. This dual approach will help expand the company’s reach and increase sales through various different channels, as Phototron begins to further harnesses the untapped demand for its innovative turn-key hydroponic gardening system.

“At Phototron, we are helping people who want to reconnect with their primal instinct to garden, even if they happen to live in the city or an apartment,” said Craig Ellins, Phototron’s Chairman. “Combining both online and direct sales allows Phototron to market its products to the masses. Whether you want to shop online in the privacy of your own home or you want a consultant to sit down and explain the benefits of our various products, we now have all of the bases covered.”

“As part of our strategic realignment, I am pleased to take on the role of Chief Executive Officer at Phototron,” said Brian Sagheb, Phototron’s current Chief Financial Officer. “The social media model that we are adapting will allow people that are looking for a quality solution for their year-round growing needs, including everything from vegetables to medicines and will help connect like-minded people through both an online and offline community. We will continue to offer quality products and education to meet the needs of today’s increasingly savvy consumers.”

As a key aspect of its strategic alignment, Phototron will be utilizing the skills of renowned social media expert Mike Zappy, who has been appointed Chief Internet Strategist at Phototron.

"Having built brands like Music.com, Beer.com, Diamond.com, Creditcards.com, and directing the Internet initiatives for Fortune 500 companies, I've developed significant intellectual capital in the area of e-commerce, search engine optimization, and social media,” said Mike Zappy. “At this point I'm only willing to work with companies that fit the specific criteria of being a social megatrend, so by having an enormous opportunity online, with an equally strong offline brand, Phototron fits this model perfectly. I'm excited to accept the position and look forward to the opportunity we have to virally accelerate the business."

Zappy, www.zappy.com has been featured on NBC's "Today Show," on TV networks ABC, CBS, CNBC, and CNN, and in newspapers and magazine including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Business Week, and Success Magazine. He is the creator of the Harvard Business School elective course 'E-Business,' and was recently a featured speaker at the Economist Magazine's Branding Conference in Shanghai. Zappy began his career at Drexel Burnham Lambert, later joining Bear Stearns where he became one of the youngest Vice Presidents in the 100-year history of the investment bank. He is an alumnus of Harvard Business School, a 2004 graduate of Harvard Business School's Owner President Management Program, and is a 1988 graduate of Boston University. Zappy is also Co-Author with Deepak Chopra of “Ask The Kabala” a beginner’s guide to Kabala. www.kabala.com

“Having an internet guru like Mike Zappy on board will help us complete our directive of moving Phototron into the 21st Century. After serving customers for over 20 years, we have upgraded the Phototron with new technology and lighting systems and only found it fitting to enter into an online marketing strategy to capitalize on the ever expanding digital world,” added Todd Denkin, Director of Sales and Co-Founder at Phototron.

Phototron’s new social media model will complement Phototron’s recent direct sales initiatives, which were implemented in June and are expected to serve both the $30 billion home gardening market and the $1.7 billion medical marijuana community. Consumers can realize significant financial savings, convenience and quality with the PHOTOTRON’s range of products across these market segments.

Phototron is capitalizing on the rapidly increasing demand for organic produce and alternative medicine. The company is committed to further establishing itself as a leader in the sale of indoor mini-greenhouses and will continue to develop its proprietary technology and nutrients while expanding its global reach through a series of organic growth opportunities and marketing advancements.

About Phototron Holdings, Inc.

Phototron Holdings, Inc. (OTCQB: PHOT) designs and manufactures cutting-edge indoor mini-greenhouses capable of growing herbs, vegetables, flowers, fruits and terrestrial plants stronger and faster than traditional farming methods. The PHOTOTRON Hydroponic Indoor Grow System is the result of decades of research into the precise temperature, light, water and nutrient needs of plants, and allows for indoor gardening 12 months of the year. The PHOTOTRON System uses proprietary lighting that mimics the sun's rays to grow nutrient-rich, pesticide-free, eco-friendly crops faster and in more bountiful quantities than those of traditional gardening methods, resulting in fruits and vegetables of superior taste and quality. PHOTOTRON systems and accessories are available for purchase from the Company’s MLM network marketing affiliates. Phototron supports the sale and use of its products to the home medical marijuana market where compliant with applicable laws. Phototron also supplies a full range of parts, accessories, advanced nutrients and innovative gardening tools and supplies to more than 50,000 customers. For more information, please visit: www.phototron.com and click on Phototron Holdings, Inc.

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Forward-Looking Statements

Except for historical information contained herein, the statements in this release are forward-looking and made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are inherently unreliable and actual results may differ materially. Examples of forward looking statements in this news release include statements regarding the payment of dividends, marketing and distribution plans, development activities and anticipated operating results. Factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements include such factors as the Company's ability to accomplish its business initiatives, significant fluctuations in marketing expenses and ability to achieve and expand significant levels of revenues, or recognize net income, from the sale of its products and services, as well as the introduction of competing products, or management's ability to attract and maintain qualified personnel necessary for the development and commercialization of its planned products, and other information that may be detailed from time to time in the Company's filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.