Aug. 22, 2008 - Cement manufacturer Holcim has tapped a pair of branding firms to help highlight the company's green building products and services in a new U.S. communications push, PRWeek reports.

Daddi Brand Communications and Hullin Metz & Company beat out strong competition for the contracts, valued at an estimated $500,000.

Daddi will handle outreach efforts to trade outlets and general news media, while Hullin will take on communications targeting the business and financial media. Ad agency Ricochet Partners is contributing to the marketing effort as well.

"We believe in this market and its potential, especially since all segments are being challenged to [be] green and innovate," says Susana Duarte de Suarez, VP of corporate communications for Holcim US.

In related news, three Holcim cement plants in Utah, Alabama, and Texas recently qualified for Energy Star certification from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.