Greg Manning Auctions Signs With SSD&W

Greg Manning Auctions Inc. (GMAI) said it signed with SSD&W, an integrated marketing and communications firm, “to help the company become the premier Internet auctioneer.”

SSD&W (Scelba, Scelba, DeTitta & Wolfson) has combined Web and e-commerce skills with traditional marketing and advertising experience. The agency’s responsibilities will include market planning for GMAI’s Internet business and developing a strong company image and brand awareness for existing and future products and services. Billings were not disclosed.

GMAI is an auction house for collectibles and one of the largest specialty stamp auction houses in the world. Teletrade, a wholly owned subsidiary, pioneered interactive telephone auctioning and is a leading Internet auctioneer of coins, diamonds, sports cards and memorabilia. Teletrade operates real-time auctions simultaneously over the Internet and via telephone, while providing confidential transmission of bidder and seller information over the Internet.

“This alliance will help us to continue to develop improved, advanced, worldwide solutions for both buyers and sellers,” said Greg Manning, chief executive officer of GMAI. “We believe we now have the elements to position us as the preeminent worldwide auction house offering live auctions over the Internet and via telephone.”

“The auction industry is undergoing rapid change,” said Lou DeTitta, SSD&W partner. “Those companies such as eBay, OnSale Inc., UBid and GMAI that embrace technology and integrate it into their marketing and business strategies today will be the success stories of tomorrow.”