CHICAGO — OtterBox, best known for its heavy-duty cellphone cases, has hired 3rd Coast PR to boost its portfolio of business products.

Hiring 3rd Coast marks the first time OtterBox has tapped a PR agency to support its B2B products. The agency won the business in a competitive pitch.

3rd Coast is charged with driving awareness of the Fort Collins, Colorado-based company’s Business Solutions and Liviri brands. Plans include a media relations campaign targeting B2B media covering the industrial, educational, food and beverage, logistic and medical sectors.

OtterBox’s business division makes a range of protective gear for electronic devices. The company’s Liviri brand products include insulated packaging for shipping wine and reusable boxes for grocery deliveries.