FTD® RINGS IN 2006 WITH A SPELLBINDING FLORAL MASTERPIECE
Las Vegas Magician Lance Burton Rides the FTD 2006 Rose Parade® Float

Float Fact Sheet | Lance Burton's Bio | Float Image [High-Res, Low-Res]

EDITOR'S NOTE:
Las Vegas Magician Lance Burton will be available for interviews on Monday, January 2 from 6:00 am to 8:00 am.

DOWNERS GROVE, IL. (December 16, 2005) - FTD®, a leading provider of floral products and services, is celebrating their 53rd year as a participant in the Tournament of Roses® 2006 Rose Parade® with a magical float featuring Las Vegas Magician Lance Burton. The world champion magician will mesmerize parade viewers while suspended to a magic carpet upon FTD's float entry "Your Wish is My Command."

The FTD 53rd Float Entry
The 2006 Rose Parade marks FTD's 53rd year as a parade participant making FTD the longest running commercial participant in the Rose Parade today. As the Official Floral Company of the Tournament of Roses, FTD's continued presentation of stunning floral entries never fails to support the Rose Parade's tradition of excellence. Since FTD's first entry in the Rose Parade in 1933, FTD has received 34 trophies for outstanding floats.

FTD's 53rd Rose Parade float entry, "Your Wish is My Command," is artistically brought to life in this spellbinding floral masterpiece laden with vivid images of magical adventures and life-like animals. Under the watchful eye of a 30-foot bejeweled genie, a brightly colored floral-pattern magic carpet takes flight soaring high above lavish rose gardens and a sparkling magic lamp.

"Your Wish is My Command" truly brings "magic" to the Rose Parade by showcasing over 15 varieties of roses with the word "magic" in their name or relating to the word "magic" including the unique Black Magic, Autumn Magic, Magic Lantern, Pure Magic, White Magic, Midnight Magic, Moonlight Magic, Hocus Pocus, Abracadabra, Mystique, Magician, Bewitched, and Mystery.

"A group of dedicated volunteers will spend over 7,000 hours preparing and decorating this magnificent float," said FTD CEO Michael Soenen. "This year's float will be one of the most animated and beautiful entries we've ever had."

Décor for the Tournament of Roses Events
As the Official Floral Company of the Tournament of Roses, FTD donates hundreds of thousands of flowers to the events surrounding the Rose Parade to help bring to life the historic events. These flowers are seen starting with the announcement of the Grand Marshal of the Rose Parade and the announcement of the competing Rose Bowl Game® teams. FTD also spreads cheer throughout the Wrigley Mansion, the home to the Tournament of Roses, with exquisite holiday décor.

"Each year, we are thrilled to be a part of the Tournament of Roses and to make their longtime traditions a part of FTD's history," says Soenen. "Once again, we are honored to celebrate each and every one of our members and ring in the New Year as the Official Floral Company of the Tournament of Roses."

In addition, FTD also sponsors the decoration of the official cars, which carry the President of the Tournament of Roses, the Grand Marshals of the Parade and the Mayor of Pasadena down the parade route. In preparing for the 2006 Rose Parade, FTD brings well-known Netherlands designer Els Hazenberg and FTD Design Instructor J. Keith White to Pasadena to decorate the official cars in the Parade and FTD's 53rd float entry "Your Wish is My Command."

About FTD Group, Inc.
FTD Group, Inc. is a holding company for FTD, Inc., which is a provider of floral services and products and a direct marketer of flowers and specialty gifts.

Press Contact
Megan Buchanan
FTD Inc.
3113 Woodcreek Drive
Downers Grove, IL 60515
Tel: 630-724-6540
Cell: 630-699-7088
Email: mbuchanan@ftdi.com

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