Star Wars Actress Ashley Eckstein and Her Universe Launch

The "Year of the Fangirl" Campaign for 2013

NEW YORK, NY - February 25th, 2013 - Ashley Eckstein, the voice of Ahsoka Tano on the television series, Star Wars: The Clone Wars, and founder of Her Universe™, the groundbreaking sci-fi apparel line for fangirls, announced today a very special year-long campaign to highlight and recognize one of the fastest growing and important segments of the sci-fi/fantasy/pop culture audience...women. Geek Girls, as they sometimes are affectionately known, can be found in every walk of life and beginning today, HerUniverse.com will shine the spotlight on a different fangirl every day showing their diversity, dreams and interests. Featured fangirls will be selected from submissions by way of fans and a team of 5 fangirl contributors, personally picked by Eckstein, who will be searching across the U.S. and the world for individual stories of every day female fans.

"From day one, it's been very important to me to make Her Universe a positive and supportive community for fangirls," said Ashley Eckstein. "I've traveled the nation over the past 2 ½ years with Her Universe and I have been inspired by so many amazing women. There are several great outlets that highlight fangirl celebrities and pop culture news but I wanted to create a place where we will share the stories of everyday women who are proudly letting their geek flag fly! If she considers herself a fangirl, we want to hear her story!"

Eckstein is encouraging fans to submit their choice for a "fangirl of the day" on the Her Universe website. Fangirls of any age can be nominated and profiled; however, fangirls under the age of 13 must be nominated by their parent or guardian. Starting today, the fangirl form can be found on the Her Universe website (www.heruniverse.com) with questions to be filled out about the female fan to be profiled. Once completed, individuals can submit the form on the site, and attach a photo (optional). Each day, Eckstein and the fangirl volunteers, will spotlight a "fangirl of the day" on the Her Universe website and its social media platforms.

The Geek Girl contributors Eckstein has assembled for this project reflects the variety and creative nature of the fangirl community:

Tricia Barr - a professional engineer, author, and founder of FANgirl Blog, which focuses on discussing Star Wars, strong female characters, and storytelling.

Erin Kelahan - a longtime sci-fi/fantasy fangirl and passionate supporter of Her Universe and fangirls everywhere. Erin's goal in life is to help as many people as possible find and embrace their inner geek.

Amy Ratcliffe - a freelance writer, Star Wars enthusiast, twitter addict and all-around geek who enjoys most things sci-fi and fantasy. Amy has written about comics, cosplay, conventions, and other topics around the internet and in print.

Victoria Schmidt - a veteran cosplayer "Scruffy Rebel," and co-founder of the geek girl fashion and style blog, "Set To Stunning." A geek fashion trendsetter who has spent her life devoted to a broad range of fandoms.

Lillian Skye - a Star Wars fan since before she could hold a lightsaber, now a junior in high school, Lillian writes for a student run publication published weekly by the Tampa Bay Times and has her own blog for geek chic Star Wars fans called "Fangirls in the Force."

The "Year of the Fangirl" campaign officially launches today, February 25th, on www.heruniverse.com but additional elements and opportunities for Geek Girls will be added throughout the year, including a very special event in coordination with San Diego Comic Con. More information will follow soon.




About Her Universe 
Her Universe was launched in 2009 by actress and entrepreneur Ashley Eckstein, and her partner, The Araca Group, known as one of the most innovative theatrical production and merchandise companies in the world. Her Universe was created to directly address the expanding market of female fans by entering into its first agreement with Lucas Licensing to develop and produce a line of female-centered Star Wars apparel and accessories. The success of that line was followed up with a collection for the Syfy network including such shows as Battlestar Galactica and with BBC America for Doctor Who and with CBS Consumer Products for Star Trek. You can learn more about Her Universe and purchase the current line of fangirl apparel and accessories by going to www.heruniverse.com and by following Eckstein on Facebook (facebook.com/HerUniverse) and Twitter (twitter.com/HerUniverse).

Her Universe founder Ashley Eckstein (above left) is launching a very special campaign for 2013, The "Year of the Fangirl," which spotlights fangirls all over the world on Heruniverse.com. The five fangirl contributors who will be assisting Eckstein in searching for stories of fangirls from around the world for the "Year of the Fangirl" campaign are, from top to bottom (L to R): Tricia Barr, Erin Kelahan, Amy Ratcliffe, Victoria Schmidt, and Lillian Skye.