Appiphany Technologies Holdings Corp (OTCMKTS:APHD) Explodes Then Implodes

Appiphany Technologies Holdings Corp (OTCMKTS:APHD) came crashing down almost as fast as it exploded higher. Shares jumped up the charts after the company announced a new annual contract for TOMS Shoes. APHD used Financial News Media to disseminate the press release and investors bought on the news without doing a deep dive analysis. This commonly happens on the OTC Markets and why the OTC stepped in and gave the symbol the dreaded skull and crossbones. Investors are now asking what's next.In April, APHD announced that it was changing its name to IP Risk Control. According to the company, "the scope of the business was based around the use of new technologies in the consumer market. Appiphany has now completely diversified its offerings to deliver global "best of breed" products and technologies to bring complete holistic solutions to combat the annual $1.77 trillion dollar counterfeit and pirating of global goods. Diversifying its involvement in the various industries where technologies blend with entertainment. The evolution of the Company will be the expansion of our suite of products to include Brand Protection, Risk Management and Brand Integrity consultancy, Internet Monitoring as well as support services that will augment our current core software creation." CEO Rob Sargent said:

"Appiphany has always been a company with a culture of rapid evolution and advancement. We brought to market an extremely innovative solution for product forensics, tracking and internet monitoring. Our approach to this market is extremely unique in the market, with the goal of meeting unmet customer needs in the market. We will deliver on our promise to deliver equally innovative intelligence solutions, and the rationale of our name change will be immediately understood."

Then in early May, APHD announced that it had appointed Deborah Greaves and Wayne Edwards to its advisory board. Deborah Greaves is an Intellectual Property attorney specializing in the representation of fashion and consumer brands at Ezra Brutzkus Gubner LLP, Los Angeles. Deborah was former Secretary and General Counsel of True Religion Brand Jeans, a publicly traded premium apparel company. Wayne Edwards is a founding member and past Chairman of CACN i(Canadian Anti-Counterfeiting Network), a coalition of individuals, companies, firms and associations united in the fight against product counterfeiting and copyright piracy in Canada and internationally.None of these announcements were able to move the needle for APHD, but the TOMS Shoes announcement did. It said that:

Appiphany Technologies (OTC: APHD), an IP Risk Control Company that provides private enterprise and governments with total, integrated brand protection solutions to prevent revenue loss from counterfeiting, product diversion and gray market activities, is pleased to announce to its shareholders the securing of an annual brand protection contract with TOMS Shoes, one of North America's largest footwear manufacturers. TOMS shoes has been utilizing Appiphany's Watchdog online brand protection technology platform since early March 2016, and signed the annual contract after a very successful trial period. Toms, a 900 Million dollar corporation, has been a leader in stewarding partnerships with non-profit humanitarian organizations globally. Specifically TOMS pioneered the "one for one, one" program, that donates a pair of shoes to a person in need, for every pair of TOMS shoes purchased. They are also leading the way in their "Gift of Sight, Gift of Birth, Gift of Shoes and Gift of Water programs worldwide.

In other words, it really wasn't a big deal. However, the press release was disseminated far and wide by Financial News Media. According to their disclaimer:

FN Media Group LLC (FNMG) owns and operates FinancialNewsMedia.com (FNM) which is a third party publisher that disseminates electronic information through multiple online media channels. FNMG's intended purposes are to deliver market updates and news alerts issued from private and publicly trading companies as well as providing coverage and increased awareness for companies that issue press to the public via online newswires.

Currently trading with a market cap of $3.9 million, APHD has been given "buyer beware" status by OTC Markets. Looking at the financials and you can see why - no revenues, $545k quarterly loss, zero assets, and $587k in total liabilities. We will be updating Insider Financial as soon as we know more. For continuing coverage on APHD, sign up for our free newsletter today and get our next hot stock pick!Disclosure: We have no position in APHD and have not been compensated for this article.