FTD® RINGS IN 2005 WITH HEART
The Official Floral Company of the Tournament of Roses® Wins Award for
52nd Rose Parade Float "Garden of Dreams"

DOWNERS GROVE, IL. (January 5, 2005) - FTD celebrated the New Year with their 52nd year at the 2005 Rose Parade® through a breathtaking float "Garden of Dreams", which was viewed by more than 250 million people in 150 countries around the world. On January 1, 2005, FTD was awarded the Isabella Coleman Trophy for the best presentation of color and color harmony through floral use for their Rose Parade float entry. In addition, FTD joined forces with the American Heart Association to help share an important message of heart health and family togetherness with a family of Rose Parade float riders.

A Heartfelt Message
In conjunction with the Rose Parade, FTD was pleased to announce a relationship with the American Heart Association, bringing a heartfelt story to the Tournament's celebration of family. Heart disease survivor Valerie Werner, her daughter Leah, and sons Aaron and Nathaniel, proudly rode the FTD Float "Garden of Dreams" as an example of thousands of families whose lives were touched by the American Heart Association's work and the Go Red For Women movement.

"When I was diagnosed at age 42 I had not known a woman my age could experience heart disease until I was diagnosed and treated," says Valerie Werner, now age 47. "My awareness of the causes of heart disease and outcomes for women has increased significantly much to the work being done by the American Heart Association and the Go Red For Women movement. I am honored that FTD has allowed us to celebrate their work and my family at the Rose Parade, and I plan to continue to educate women that heart disease is their number one killer and should be a top concern for families."

"FTD is proud to help spread the Go Red For Women movement's message and to support the cause through the gift of flowers online at FTD.COM and through future opportunities with FTD Florists," says Michael Soenen, chief executive officer, FTD.

The FTD 52nd Float Entry
FTD's 52nd float "Garden of Dreams" was a highlight of this year's Rose Parade. As the winner of the Isabella Coleman award, FTD was recognized for the best presentation of color and color harmony in floral use. FTD has won 34 awards in 52 years, including six first prize trophies.

This magnificent float featured a mystical dreamland donned with the widest variety of Springtime flowers ever seen on a Rose Parade float - more than 40 varieties from six continents. The abundant gardens overflowed with tulips, daffodils, iris, tuberose, forsythia, lily of the valley, calla lilies, hydrangea, peony, delphinium, alstroemeria, snapdragons, bouvardia, freesia, nerine lily, biburnum and larkspur. Plus, FTD unveiled a new variety of rose - a vibrant pink called "passion" on the 2005 float entry.

More than 8,000 solid clusters of liatris bring the sculpted thistles to life, while coconut flakes shape the daisies and dehydrated carrot creates orange oriental lilies. In the gardens, mystical sprites selected beautiful bouquets of fresh cut flowers and were dressed in combinations of leaves and mosses, which help highlight intricate details of succulents, skeleton leaves, hydrangea florets, strings of pearl, crown flowers and clusters of fresh smelling gardenias. Their gentle wings came to life with luminous lunaria.

Décor for the Tournament of Roses Events
As the Official Floral Company of the Tournament of Roses, FTD donated hundreds of thousands of flowers to the events surrounding the Rose Parade to help bring to life the organization's history with flowers. FTD also helped spread holiday cheer throughout the Wrigley Mansion, the home to the Tournament of Roses, with exquisite holiday décor.

In preparing for the 2005 Rose Parade, FTD brought well-known Netherlands designer Els Hazenberg to Pasadena and FTD Design Instructor Keith White AIFD to decorate the official cars in the Parade. Els and husband George Hazenberg celebrated their 28th anniversary with the Tournament of Roses. The magnificent work on the cars was recognized by the Tournament and media outlets across the country.

"Each year, we are thrilled to be a part of the Tournament of Roses family and to make their longtime traditions a part of FTD's history," says Soenen. "Once again, we are honored to ring in the New Year as the Official Floral Company of the Tournament of Roses on behalf of FTD and FTD Florists around the world."

FTD also provided floral displays for the media booths of local and national TV stations including NBC and CBS national broadcast booths and local Telemundo affiliate.

Celebrating the FTD Family
FTD Florists from across the U.S. and Canada traveled to Pasadena, California for the FTD Member Rose Parade Celebration. Members were invited for a behind the scenes look at the judging of the FTD Float, a tour of the Wrigley Mansion, home of the Tournament of Roses and a personalized walk-through of the decorating of the official cars of the Parade by Keith White. Attendees were treated first class with VIP seating at the Rose Parade and Rose Bowl Game, memories many florists will never forget.

About FTD
FTD, supported by its worldwide FTD brand, is a leading provider of floral services and products. FTD's Florist Business primarily markets floral products and services to approximately 20,000 FTD Members and other retail locations offering floral products in the U.S. and Canada and connects approximately 30,000 additional florists through affiliated or related organizations in 150 countries outside of North America. FTD's Consumer Business through its subsidiary FTD.COM, is a direct marketer of flowers and specialty gifts, primarily through the www.FTD.COM Web site and 1-800-SEND-FTD telephone number. Additional information about FTD is available at its Web site, www.FTDI.com.

Press Contact
Bridget Carlson
FTD Inc.
3113 Woodcreek Drive
Downers Grove, IL 60515
Tel: 630 724 6120
Fax: 630 724 6621
Email: bcarlson@ftdi.com

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