New York Agency to Hit the Books in Crown Campaign Pushing Cost

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Watch out, Borders and Barnes & Noble; Crown Books is coming after you.

Crown, based in Landover, is planning to launch a $5-million-a-year advertising campaign this summer that aims to reinforce the bookstore company's position as a low-cost alternative to its trendy competitors.

DeVito/Verdi, an acclaimed New York advertising shop, beat out three competitors - none from the Washington area - to win the Crown account. Agency President Ellis Verdi said the ads will tout Crown's prices, not whether it's a good place to meet singles.

"We sell books. We're not interested in creating a kaffeeklatch," Mr. Verdi said. Most of the ads will be created for television, although some print and radio spots will be included. DeVito/Verdi made waves in Washington last …