Kennametal Inc, a FORTUNE 1000 company with operations in more than 60 countries, has named Washington, DC,-based Don Schaaf & Friends, Inc. (ds+f) as advertising agency of record to create and oversee Kennametal's worldwide branding efforts.

"Our strategic initiative to unify our brands globally while strengthening Kennametal's core leadership position in the marketplace led us to ds+f. Their experienced team, one that excels in both strategic thinking and creative execution, gives us the opportunity to present a strong, cohesive, global brand image," said Kennametal Chief Marketing Officer John H. Jacko, Jr. "We look forward to leveraging ds+f's marketing expertise on all materials used to promote our products, technology and initiatives."

Kennametal selected ds+f because of their track record for helping to create innovative, functional and lasting brands for such well known organizations as, MCI, National Geographic, Digex, CBRE, Westinghouse Nuclear, AOL, the National Association of Broadcaster's NAB Show and more.

"We could not be more honored to work with Kennametal. It is a real privilege to team with such a world-class company, one that truly understands the power of presenting a consistent global brand," said Don Schaaf, President of ds+f. "Kennametal is already a leader in its industry, and we look forward to elevating its communications to a level that will help them achieve their ambitions."

Ds+f's mark can already be seen on Kennametal's new identity suite, advertising campaign, Web site and sales materials, and on similar materials created for their flagship divisions in other countries.

About Kennametal

Kennametal Inc., is a leading global supplier of tooling, engineered components and advanced materials consumed in production processes. The company improves customers' competitiveness by providing superior economic returns through the delivery of application knowledge and advanced technology to master the toughest of materials application demands. Companies producing everything from airframes to coal, from medical implants to oil wells and from turbochargers to motorcycle parts recognize Kennametal for extraordinary contributions to their value chains. Customers buy approximately $2.4 billion annually of Kennametal products and services -- delivered by our 14,000 talented employees in over 60 countries -- with almost 50 percent of these revenues coming from outside the United States. Visit Kennametal at www.kennametal.com.

About Don Schaaf & Friends, Inc. (ds+f)

Headquartered in Washington, DC, ds+f is a leading advertising, marketing and corporate branding company, providing strategic communications to firms operating in more than 85 countries. Founded in 1990, the firm has enjoyed growth that has outpaced their industry, landing them a spot on the Inc. 500 list of America's fastest-growing private companies.

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SOURCE: ds&f