Move Over Goodyear, the DIRECTV Blimp is in Town

DIRECTV Blimp Makes Its First Trip Out West to Cover MLB Playoffs, NFL, NCAA Football Games and More

DIRECTV Also Launches Blimp Exploration Program for Local Middle and Elementary Schools, Offering Educational Field Trips That Give Students a First-Hand Look Inside the Blimp

The Goodyear Blimp is about to have company in the blue skies over Los Angeles – the DIRECTV Blimp, and its massive, 2,100-square-foot HD Lightsign, is making its first appearance on the West Coast.

DIRECTV Blimp Makes Its First Trip Out West (Photo: Business Wire)

Over the next five months the DIRECTV Blimp, a Van Wagner Aerial airship, will be making the rounds of the MLB Playoffs, NFL and NCAA Football circuit, providing a blimp’s-eye view of the top games on the West Coast. DIRECTV will also be offering local middle and elementary schools a once-in-a-lifetime blimp field trip giving students an up-close look at the 178-foot-long blimp, an opportunity to meet the pilots and crew, and learn about the science, math and engineering that is behind these lighter-than-air ships.

In addition, the DIRECTV blimp will be holding its own version of “Friday Night Lights,” by selecting local Southern California high schools and flying over their Friday night football games displaying school names, colors and slogans above their field. Through interactions via the @dtvblimp Twitter handle, local high schools can engage for the chance to have the airship fly over a game, and have a DIRECTV pep-rally party, before the game begins.

“The DIRECTV blimp has become a staple at sporting events on the East Coast and we know the blimp and its giant HD screen will be a spectacular sight on the West Coast as well,” said Jon Gieselman, senior vice president, Marketing for DIRECTV. “DIRECTV and Van Wagner also want to give back to the local community and use the blimp as an educational tool to help children understand how math, science and engineering are applied to air travel.”

The DIRECTV blimp’s strong partnership with charities on the East Coast will also carry over to the West Coast as well. DIRECTV will team up with local children's charities to offer an unforgettable blimp experience to children who are fighting severe illnesses, along with their families. They will be able to fly in the blimp, take pictures with the pilot and learn everything there is to know about the airship and its capabilities.

“DIRECTV is a partner that truly values community, and this school initiative really solidifies that commitment,” said John Haegele, CEO, Van Wagner Airship Group. “We’re very excited to spend some quality time with the locals of Los Angeles and greater LA area. We’re honored to have such a strong partnership with DIRECTV and the resources we are collectively putting into this flight out west is a true testament to it.”

The blimp will be out on the West Coast until March 2015, and will be sharing photos, video and articles about its school activities throughout its time there, and via social media. You can follow the blimp at @dtvblimp on Twitter.

To submit your school for a blimp exploration opportunity, please email DTVBlimp@vanwagner.com or visit http://www.vanwagneraerial.com/directv-blimp-goes-west-school-sign-up. The DIRECTV blimp will be based at San Bernardino airport.

About DIRECTV

DIRECTV (NASDAQ: DTV) is one of the world's leading providers of digital television entertainment services delivering a premium video experience through state-of-the-art technology, unmatched programming and industry leading customer service to more than 37 million customers in the U.S. and Latin America. In the U.S., DIRECTV offers its 20 million customers access to more than 190 HD channels and Dolby-Digital® 5.1 theater-quality sound, access to exclusive sports programming such as NFL SUNDAY TICKET™, Emmy-award winning technology and higher customer satisfaction than the leading cable companies for 13 years running. DIRECTV Latin America, through its subsidiaries and affiliated companies in Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Venezuela, Colombia, and other Latin American countries, leads the pay TV category in technology, programming and service, delivering an unrivaled digital television experience to more than 17 million customers. DIRECTV sports and entertainment properties include two Regional Sports Networks (Rocky Mountain and Pittsburgh), and minority ownership interests in Root Sports Northwest and Game Show Network. For the most up-to-date information on DIRECTV, please visit www.directv.com.

About Van Wagner Airship Group LLC

Van Wagner Aerial Media, the aerial advertising branch of Van Wagner Communications LLC, specializes in fixed wing aerial advertising solutions, experiential marketing, and airship advertising. Van Wagner Airship Group (VWAG), the company’s blimp advertising division, was formed through the key acquisitions of The Lightship Group and the American Blimp Corporation, and is proud to be the designer and manufacturer of the exclusive Lightship model blimps, the most eye-catching advertising blimps today. We provide full service blimp advertising, broadcasting, and promotional programs to large and medium-sized brands both nationally and internationally. Headquartered in Orlando, Florida, VWAG has flown in more than 35 countries for the past 20 years, reaching billions of people from above. The exclusive internal illumination of our blimps and a full motion video LED screen (available on select airships) enables us to provide exposure day or night, in varied terrain and conditions. Best known for their constant presence at major live sporting events, our blimps have provided turn-key broadcast services for more than 2,000 live television and radio events. For more information about Van Wagner Airship Group visit www.vanwagneraerial.com, follow them on Twitter and Instagram @VanWagnerAerial, and like them on Facebook.

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/multimedia/home/20141007005352/en/

Laundry Service on behalf of Van Wagner Airship Group LLCRebecca Bellush646-443-9120bellush@247laundryservice.comorDIRECTVJade Ekstedt310-964-3429jlekstedt@directv.com

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