Tournament Of Roses® Continues Its March Forward With The Creation Of The First Ever Rose Parade® Development Office

Expansion to inject even more excitement and entertainment value to iconic and beloved parade

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May 24, 2018, 03:01 ET

PASADENA, Calif., May 24, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- For more than 129 years, the Rose Parade has held a special place in the hearts and minds of viewers across the world. Now, under the leadership of Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer David Eads, the parade is marching forward in a new era, maintaining its historic roots while layering in new entertainment features. This respect for the traditional and embrace of the new will secure the parade's place as a New Year's tradition for generations to come.

Tournament Of Roses® Continues Its March Forward With The Creation Of The First Ever Rose Parade® Development Office

To facilitate this transition, Eads announced the formation of the new Rose Parade Development Office that will be headed by someone uniquely qualified to do the job. Amy Kule, one of America's leading live event impresarios, has been appointed the Chief Creative & Development Officer. Until last year, Ms. Kule was the Group Vice President of Macy's Parade and Entertainment Group, where she was responsible for some of the highest profile events in the country including serving as the Executive Producer of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and the Macy's 4^th of July Fireworks. Last year Kule launched Merry Wonderer, a strategic and creative consulting agency geared towards building immersive activations, marketing and branded entertainment programs working with such clients as FreeMantle Media, FAO Schwarz, Legacy Pictures, and Sharper Image. She will lead the new Rose Parade Development Office and oversee broadcast partnerships, all parade participants, strategic partnerships and advise on the overall entertainment and creative elements of the Rose Parade while also maintaining her role at Merry Wonderer.

Kule said, "I'm passionate about large scale live entertainment events and experiences and honored to join the Tournament of Roses as they look toward the future with the creation of this brand-new office. I will lead the team and focus efforts on working with our great partners and enormously talented and dedicated volunteers to expand and diversify the entertainment and business model of the parade as well as its surrounding year-long event slate and charitable giving initiatives."

Also joining the Rose Parade Development Office is Eric Solomon, the new Senior Director, Strategic Partnerships, reporting to Kule. In this role he will lead up business development and sponsorship engagement for the Rose Parade. Solomon most recently served as Director, Strategic Partnerships – Culinary for WME | IMG where he launched the US expansion of the global Taste Festival platform, known as Tastemaker Collective. Prior to IMG, Solomon was Associate Director, Corporate Sponsorships for Film Independent and their Film Independent Spirit Awards. He was also Manager, Client Services and Sponsorship for Wasserman Media Group for seven years and earned his Bachelor of Arts, Economics from the University of Virginia.

"We are excited to welcome Amy and Eric to the Tournament of Roses staff and look forward to creating innovative strategies and strengthening the successes of America's New Year Celebration," said Eads. "Together with the 935 volunteer members, we will continue to elevate our premiere events."

About the Pasadena Tournament of Roses^®The Tournament of Roses is a volunteer organization that hosts America's New Year Celebration^® with the Rose Parade^® presented by Honda, the Rose Bowl Game^® presented by Northwestern Mutual and a variety of accompanying events. 935 volunteer members of the association will drive the success of 130th Rose Parade themed "The Melody of Life," on Tuesday, January 1, 2019, followed by the 105th Rose Bowl Game. For more information, visit www.tournamentofroses.com. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.