Tournament of Roses® Announces 2013 Float Judges

Shane Connolly, Amy Kule, and Brian Patrick Sullivan to Choose 2013 Float Award Winners
The Tournament of Roses® has chosen Shane Connolly, Amy Kule and Brian Patrick Sullivan as float judges for the 124th Rose Parade® presented by Honda. Twenty-four of the 40 floral masterpieces in the parade will receive awards in a variety of categories and specifications. The judges’ scores are based on criteria such as creative design, floral craftsmanship, artistic merit, computerized animation, thematic interpretation, floral and color presentation and dramatic impact. Connolly, Kule and Sullivan were appointed by the Tournament’s judging committee, chaired by Richard DeJesu.

“So much time and effort, and heart and soul, go into the design, building and decorating of Rose Parade floats, it’s only fitting that we have knowledgeable and distinguished judges to evaluate them,” said DeJesu. “Shane, Amy and Brian all bring expertise and enthusiasm for both floral design in general and the Rose Parade in particular. I’m sure they will approach their difficult but important task with care and tremendous attention to detail.”

About the 2013 Rose Parade Float Judges

Shane Connolly was born in Northern Ireland and has had a lifelong interest in gardening and growing things. This developed into a specific passion for flowers and decorating with them after meeting the British decorator Michael Goulding, OBE. Under Goulding’s direction, Connolly trained at the London company, Pulbrook and Gould, and started his own business in 1989.

Connolly’s work is influenced by Pulbrook and Gould’s natural approach, by which flowers are used primarily for their own intrinsic qualities. He has developed his own style, though, which has been heralded for its elegant originality.

In addition to working for many notable companies and individuals, Connolly also counts London’s Victoria and Albert Museum and the Royal Academy of Arts as two of his most valued clients. He has designed flowers for a number of events involving the Royal Family, including a luncheon given by the city of London to celebrate the 80th birthday of Queen Elizabeth II and the service of remembrance organized by Prince William and Prince Harry marking the 10th anniversary of the death of their mother, Diana, Princess of Wales. Connolly also has arranged flowers internationally in countries including the Czech Republic and South Africa.

Connolly has published three books: Table Flowers (1996), Shane Connolly’s Wedding Flowers (1998) and The Secret Language of Flowers (2004). His fourth book is slated for publication in December 2012.

Amy Kule is the executive producer of Macy’s . She and Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Thanksgiving Day Parade oversees all aspects of planning and production of these iconic events including design/construction, creative direction, logistics operation, agency liaisons and marketing partnerships.

As the leader of a team of event and marketing professionals, Kule is charged with bringing the magic of the Macy’s brand to cities from coast to coast. In her role as Group Vice President of Macy’s Parade & Entertainment Group, she oversees a team of more than 150 people across the United States. Each year, this dedicated multi-faceted group produces thousands of elaborate events including celebrity appearances, major product launches, fashion shows, culinary demonstrations, window unveilings, tree lightings and holiday parades.

In addition, Amy spearheads the creation of strategic corporate partnerships with major companies to enhance the brand’s iconic and in-store events. Her partnership marketing team develops customized, multi-tier marketing and sponsorship programs with brands, characters and licensed entertainment properties that bring Macy’s world-famous events to life. Her success can easily Award nominations and wins of NBC’s be measured by the multiple Emmy national broadcast of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Ever since joining Macy’s in 1996, Kule has raised the bar on event production and marketing, which has led to remarkable relationships that have added excitement, newness and magic to Macy’s stores nationwide and to its world-famous events.

Brian Sullivan began his career with Descanso Gardens in La Canada Flintridge in 1995 as a gardener. He now holds the title of Director of Horticulture and Garden Operations. As such, Sullivan is responsible for the direct management of all the operations of the physical gardens – horticulture, collectionsmanagement and development, landscape design, basic maintenance, and infrastructure and facilities repairs. He contributes to the strategic planning, improvement process and the maintenance of the Gardens in order to achieve a beautiful and richly rewarding garden for the community to enjoy, the members to be proud of, and the philanthropic funders to be comfortable supporting.

In collaboration with the Executive Director and the Board Trustees, Sullivan works to establish the future direction, priorities and implementation strategies for Descanso Gardens. He is a key member of the senior management team charged with integrating the physical Gardens with programmatic content and revenue generation. He educates the internal community including staff, Board and volunteers about the Gardens and represents the Gardens to external constituencies, including members and the visiting public. Sullivan acts as lead designer of landscape installations and horticulture displays, establishes work objectives for the Garden operations and supervises the progress of projects.

Sullivan has been a guest lecturer and has taught at institutions including the Los Angeles Arboretum, Beverly Hills Garden and Flower Show, Los Angeles Garden Show and Huntington Botanical Garden. He has been featured on HGTV and in Sunset Magazine and the Los Angeles Times, among other media outlets.

About the Pasadena Tournament of Roses®

The Pasadena Tournament of Roses is a volunteer organization that annually hosts the Rose Parade® presented by Honda, Rose Bowl Game® presented by VIZIO and various associated events. The 124th Rose Parade presented by Honda, themed Oh, the Places You’ll Go!™, will take place Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013, at 8 a.m. (PST) featuring majestic floral floats, high-stepping equestrian units and spirited marching bands. Following the parade, the 99th Rose Bowl Game presented by VIZIO will kick off at 2:10 p.m. and feature an exciting match-up between two of the top collegiate football teams in the nation. For additional information on the Tournament of Roses please visit the official website at www.tournamentofroses.com.

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