UNIVERSAL PICTURES AND ILLUMINATION ENTERTAINMENT'S DESPICABLE ME 2 "DESPICABLIMP" TAKES FLIGHT ON MARCH 23

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif., March 22, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Universal Pictures announced today that it is launching the enormous Despicable Me 2 "Despicablimp" in support of Universal and Illumination Entertainment's upcoming 3D-CG comedy adventure, which will be released on July 3, 2013. 

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130322/LA81854-a)

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130322/LA81854-b)

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130128/LA49757LOGO)

The Despicablimp is one of the largest airships in the world at 165-feet long, 55-feet high and 46-feet wide, and is one of only 15 flying today.  The blimp will travel approximately 20,000 miles, crisscrossing the country three times over the course of its six-month journey and will have multiple stops across the continental U.S.  Making its first appearance over the Nickelodeon 2013 Kids' Choice Awards in Los Angeles on Saturday, March 23, the gigantic Minion can be seen over hundreds of events across the U.S., including:

• Telemundo's Billboard Latin Music Awards, Miami, FL – April 25, 2013
• The Kentucky Derby, Louisville, KY – May 4, 2013
• The Despicable Me 2 World Premiere, Hollywood, CA – June 22, 2013

The Despicablimp may be tracked in real-time via GPS at the Despicablimp Command Center (www.despicablimp.com).   Fans can tweet sightings of the blimp or post photos to Instagram or Flickr using #despicablimp to see it featured on the site, and participate in weekly prize giveaways.  Visitors to the site can also enter for a chance to win a trip for four to the Hollywood world premiere of Despicable Me 2 and get the once-in-a-lifetime chance to ride in the blimp!

About Despicable Me 2
Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment's worldwide blockbuster Despicable Me entertained audiences around the globe in 2010, grossing more than $540 million and becoming the 10^th-biggest animated motion picture in U.S. history.  In summer 2013, get ready for more Minion madness in Despicable Me 2. 

Chris Meledandri and his acclaimed filmmaking team create an all-new comedy adventure featuring the return of (former?) super-villain Gru ( Steve Carell ), his adorable girls, the unpredictably hilarious Minions...and a host of new and outrageously funny characters.  www.despicable.me

SOURCE Universal Pictures