Pop-Culture Icons’ Signature Designs in PUMA’s Iconic Styles Available In Stores on June 29th Minions Return to Theaters on June 30th in Despicable Me 3

HERZOGENAURACH, GERMANY, 21st JUNE 2017 — Global Sports Brand PUMA, together with Illumination and Universal Brand Development, are launching the much-anticipated line – the PUMA x Minions Collection. This multi-season partnership with Gru’s loyal and mischievous Minions, from the Despicable Me franchise, debuts worldwide as of June 29th.
Since their breakout role in 2010’s Despicable Me, the Minions have become pop- cultural icons who continue to inspire artists, designers and global tastemakers. For this collaborative footwear and apparel collection with PUMA, Minions Stuart, Carl and Kevin bring their subversive sweetness and have rendered their playful yet fashionable luxe designs to the Big Cat’s classic silhouettes. The Minions added new patterns and splashes of color, plenty of goggles, bananas and more.
For the kids, a wide assortment is available to rock in the playground or school. The Minions put a joyful spin on the PUMA Basket, topping it with a banana print on the strap. The basket also comes in a laced version, with the upper wrapped in a black- and-white Minions illustration, finished with a blue Formstripe and trademark yellow lacing. Both shoes feature a debossed PUMA No. 1 with the Minions’ logo. The Minions’ antics continue in the apparel collection, whichincludes Track Jackets, Sweat Pants and Hoodies and Tees—all featuring the PUMA x Minions collaboration logo and a variety of comical graphics. Bags, Scarves and Gloves complete the fun range.
For the young at heart, the playful vibe continues when paired with a streetwear edge. The sneaker classic Suede comes in monotone black with a Minions graphic inlay and insoles, while the Disc Blaze is decked in a combo of white and Minions print panels. Both shoes feature the Minions goggle print in the tongue label and heel. Apparel offerings include the Oversized Crew Sweat, Bomber Jacket, Oversized Tee—all featuring subtle branding and name imprints of Minions Stuart, Carl and Kevin in Helvetica font…for that contemporary look. Completing the pack is the PUMA x Minions backpack in black featuring pops of Minions character graphics.
The PUMA x Minions footwear, apparel and accessories collection releases globally on PUMA.com, PUMA stores and select lifestyle retailers starting June 29th. Illumination’s Despicable Me 3 arrives in theaters on June 30th.

About Illumination’s Despicable Me 3

Illumination, who brought audiences Despicable Me and the biggest animated hits of 2013 and 2015, Despicable Me 2 and Minions, continues the adventures of Gru, Lucy, their adorable daughters—Margo, Edith and Agnes—and the Minions in Despicable Me 3. Directed by Pierre Coffin and Kyle Balda, co- directed by Eric Guillon and written by Cinco Paul & Ken Daurio, the animated film is produced by Illumination’s Chris Meledandri and Janet Healy, and executive produced by Chris Renaud.
Joining Steve Carell and Kristen Wiig in Despicable Me 3 is Emmy, Tony and Grammy Award winner Trey Parker, co-creator of Comedy Central’s global phenomenon South Park and the Broadway smash
The Book of Mormon. Parker voices the role of villain Balthazar Bratt, a former child star who’s grown up to become obsessed with the character he played in the ‘80s, and proves to be Gru’s most formidable nemesis to date. The film will be released in theaters on June 30, 2017. www.despicable.me

PUMA

PUMA is one of the world’s leading Sports Brands, designing, developing, selling and marketing footwear, apparel and accessories. For over 65 years, PUMA has established a history of making fast product designs for the fastest athletes on the planet. PUMA offers performance and sport-inspired lifestyle products in categories such as Football, Running and Training, Golf, and Motorsports. It engages in exciting collaborations with renowned design brands to bring innovative and fast designs to the sports world. The PUMA Group owns the brands PUMA, Cobra Golf and Dobotex. The company distributes its products in more than 120 countries, employs more than 11,000 people worldwide, and is headquartered in Herzogenaurach/Germany. For more information, please visit http://www.puma.com.

About Illumination

Illumination, founded by Chris Meledandri in 2007, is one of the entertainment industry’s leading producers of event-animated films. Illumination’s film franchises include two of the top-six animated films of all time, and its iconic brands—infused with memorable and distinct characters, global appeal and cultural relevance—are beloved all over the world.
Illumination, which has an exclusive financing and distribution partnership with Universal Pictures, is the creator of the hugely successful Despicable Me franchise, which includes Minions, the second-highest- grossing animated film of all time, as well as the Academy Award® -nominated Despicable Me 2 and the upcoming Despicable Me 3, which stars Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig and Trey Parker and arrives in theaters on June 30, 2017.
In all, Illumination’s films, which also include the current theatrical hit Sing, as well as 2016’s record- breaking The Secret Life of Pets—which had the largest opening ever for an original film, animated or otherwise, in U.S. history—have grossed more than $4 billion in worldwide box-office revenues and feature as their creative contributors an unparalleled collection of writers, artists, voice talent and musicians.
Additional upcoming releases are a newly imagined version of Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas, starring Benedict Cumberbatch in the title role of The Grinch, which is set for November 2018; The Secret Life of Pets 2 in July 2019; Minions 2 in July 2020; and Sing 2 in December 2020.
Beyond the theater, Illumination’s franchises have broadened their reach globally, year-round, with extensions into mobile games, consumer products and social/digital media. Reflecting the success of the Despicable Me franchise, “Despicable Me: Minion Rush” has become the fifth-most popular game ever, with more than 800 million downloads, while Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem attracts huge crowds at Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood and will soon open at several locations around the world.

Universal Brand Development

Universal Brand Development globally drives expansion of the company’s intellectual properties, franchises, characters and stories through innovative physical and digital products, content, and consumer experiences. Along with franchise brand management, Universal Brand Development’s core businesses include Consumer Products, Games and Digital Platforms, and Live Entertainment based on the company’s extensive portfolio of intellectual properties created by Universal Pictures, Illumination Entertainment, DreamWorks Animation, and NBCUniversal cable and television. Universal Brand Development is a business segment of Universal Filmed Entertainment Group, and part of NBCUniversal, a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation (NASDAQ: CMCSA)
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Angela Emery
Universal Brand Development 818-777-8922 Angela.Emery@nbcuni.com
Teresa Tayzon
PUMA
+1 857 3836715 Teresa.Tayzon@puma.com