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.”