LAS VEGAS, NV--(Marketwire - Jan 30, 2012) - Today, Respect Your Universe, Inc. (RYU) (OTCBB: [ RYUN ]), [ http://www.respectyouruniverse.com/ ], is pleased to announce that RYU CEO ChristopherMartens has joined the Board of Directors. Officially joining RYU in June 2011 as the Chief Executive Officer, Martens will join Chairman Kristian Andresen, President John Wood and Chief Marketing Director Emmanuel Brown on the Board of Directors.

"I am excited to help lead the RYU brand as a part of the Executive Management Team and now the Board of Directors," RYUCEOChristopher Martens commented about his appointment. "We have a talented and experienced team of professionals and leaders who are well placed to propel RYU from a start-up premium athletic apparel company into a household name."

At RYU, Martens has been responsible for creating brand strategies and relationships along with assisting in the production of authentic premium high performance apparel and product amongst the sports marketplace for consumers in an effort to position RYU for a successful launch of their debut Men's Spring 2012 Line. With his strength in identifying global trends, Martens brings a rich history in the sporting apparel industry to RYU including previously serving as General Manager and Merchandise Director at Nike, Inc. and Global Director of Apparel for the 2008 Beijing Olympics Nike, Inc. Martens' additional credentials also include Divisional Merchandise Manager for Global Nike ACG and Global Nike Outerwear, Nike, Inc. with 11 years of retail experience at Eastern Mountain Sports.

"Christopher is recognized within the sports apparel industry for successfully capitalizing on new opportunities and reigniting mature businesses with dramatic results. His position on the Board of Directors confirms his commitment to RYU's success and our plans to execute the vision of RYU," commented Kristian Andresen, RYU Chairman.

Built for Athletes, Suited for Style, RYU's debut men's premium high performance line embodies the art of the sport and places emphasis on respect, strength, honor and sustainability as the foundation of their apparel and products. All of the apparel items and products have been produced from organic and/or recycled materials utilizing some of the best yarn and fabric suppliers in the world while achieving the performance attributes desired by Mixed Martial Arts fighters and the true everyday athlete.

For more information on RYU visit [ http://www.respectyouruniverse.com ] or call +1-888-455-6183 ext. 101.

About Respect Your Universe
Respect Your Universe, Inc. (OTCBB: [ RYUN ]) is a premium performance apparel and equipment company rooted in and inspired by Mixed Martial Arts. Focused on the needs of the athlete, RYU brings innovative design, development and production of premium authentic performance gear with style to mixed martial artists and athlete enthusiasts worldwide. The RYU brand is based on respect, honor and sustainability.

Safe Harbor 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 United States laws. These statements relate to analyses and other information that are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions of management. Any other statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as "expects" or "does not expect," "is expected," "anticipates" or "does not anticipate," "plans," "hopes," "estimates," "projects" or "intends," or stating that certain actions, events or results "may," "could," "would," "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and should be viewed as "forward-looking statements." Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and other factors include, among others, the actual results of sales and designs of our apparel, the MMA industry and market, the apparel industry and market, the availability of capital to fund our business plan and the resulting dilution caused by the raising of capital through the sale of shares, product manufacturing and sourcing, and labor. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements contained in this news release and in any document referred to in this news release.