PORTLAND, OR -- (Marketwire) -- 02/04/13 -- Respect Your Universe, Inc. (TSX VENTURE: RYU) (OTCQB: RYUN) announces David Howitt, founder and president of the Meriwether Group, as a new board member. Howitt brings more than 20 years of experience in providing business strategy and mentorship to global Fortune 100 companies, launching and developing successful startups, and funding innovative consumer-oriented businesses.

"David is a valuable and highly strategic addition to our board of directors. His areas of expertise further supplement the diverse skill sets already represented within the Respect Your Universe board," said Respect Your Universe chairman and chief executive officer David Campisi. "As the founder and president of a brand consulting, venture capital and marketing firm, David has fostered the success of numerous next-generation outdoor, natural and healthy lifestyle companies, and will provide vital insight for advancing the Respect Your Universe brand and business."

Howitt's accomplishments include investing in, securing funding for and helping to develop a business vision for several successful brands including adidas, Stumptown Coffee, HotChalk, Living Harvest, Naturally Advanced Technologies and Organic Style. Howitt has also provided financial expertise, operational guidance and strategic vision to a wide range of companies including Nike, Under Armour, Stumptown Coffee, Citizen, adidas, Salomon, Li Ning, Nautilus, TaylorMade, Coty, Stelux, Silhouette and Burgerville. Howitt earned his Bachelor of Arts from Denison University and his Juris Doctor degree from Lewis & Clark Law School.

"I am honored to work alongside David Campisi and help guide Respect Your Universe to the next level," said Howitt.

About Respect Your Universe
Respect Your Universe, Inc. is a premium performance apparel company focused on the needs of the athlete. The men's and women's performance and active wear lines are designed for an athletic consumer and suited for a performance lifestyle. The Respect Your Universe brand is based on respect, strength, honor and sustainability. Crafted from organic and/or recycled materials, the products are focused on performance, comfort and style, but also designed with respect toward maintaining the health of our environment. For more information, visit www.RespectYourUniverse.com.

About Meriwether Group
Meriwether Group, Inc. is a trusted advisor and business acceleration firm headed by seasoned senior executives with decades of operational experience with some of the world's most iconic brands, including Nike and adidas, who are also entrepreneurs and founders as well. Meriwether has the unique capability of efficiently accelerating strategy and outcomes for extension, licensing, distribution, and mergers and acquisitions in a brand-centric and relevant way. Meriwether knows that the heart and soul of any business is the founder's vision. The mission of Meriwether Group is to look through the eyes of the founder(s) and guide them to manifest the brand's destiny. Meriwether partners with clients to define the optimal strategy for progressive growth through brand management, market research, competitive landscape analysis, brand and business valuation and acquisition strategy. For more information visit http://www.meriwethergroup.com/.

Forward-Looking Statements
Except for the statements of historical fact contained herein, the information presented in this news release constitutes "forward-looking statements" as such term is used in applicable securities law. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Respect Your Universe to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among others, that our new directors can utilize their experience to assist Respect Your Universe with sales growth. Except as required by law, Respect Your Universe undertakes no responsibility to update any of the statements contained in this news release.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.