Duane Reade partners with new advertising agency

NEW YORK Duane Reade has named its first advertising agency in nearly four years.

The retail pharmacy chain, which operates about 250 stores in the New York area, has partnered with DeVito/Verdi in a deal that will include television, print, outdoor and Internet advertising. The agency will also provide public relations, media planning, guerilla and event marketing, creative development and in-store and collateral work. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“It’s only fitting that the uniquely New York drug store teams up with the essential New York advertising agency to help with the continuing re-branding of our business,” Duane Reade chief merchandising officer Joe Magnacca said. “In addition to being an accomplished ad agency, the team at DeVito/Verdi is comprised of skilled retail strategists who will play a big part in our growth moving forward.”

The deal comes amid an ongoing chain-wide re-branding effort that began late last year.