Constant Contact Acquires GURU Conference and Education Assets
TECHNOLOGY
GURU Media Hub founder, Jay Schwedelson, to become a Constant Contact Brand Ambassador.
Small business marketing is moving beyond software and into the realm of specialized education. Today, Constant Contact announced a strategic acquisition of select assets from GURU Media Hub, including the world's largest virtual email marketing event, GURU Conference.
The deal signals a push by the marketing platform giant to offer more than just tools, it’s aiming to provide the "playbook" for small business growth in an increasingly complex digital landscape.
Beyond the Inbox: A Suite of Educational Assets
The acquisition includes three major components of the GURU Media Hub ecosystem:
GURU Conference: A high-energy virtual destination for marketers focused on email and multi-channel results.
SubjectLine.com: A widely used rating and testing platform that helps marketers optimize their first point of contact with customers.
Certified GURU: An education and certification program designed to help professionalize the marketing efforts of small businesses and nonprofits.
By integrating these assets, Constant Contact is positioning itself as an all-in-one destination where business owners can both build their campaigns and learn the data-driven strategies behind high performance.
The "GURU" Stays in the Fold
As part of the transaction, GURU Media Hub founder Jay Schwedelson will officially join Constant Contact as a Brand Ambassador. He will continue to lead the creative vision of the GURU Conference while collaborating with Constant Contact on new content and engagement initiatives.
“This isn't about adding more noise to the marketing world, it's about scaling what actually works,” said Schwedelson. “GURU Conference was built to deliver clear, practical guidance marketers can use immediately, and partnering with Constant Contact allows us to expand the reach and impact of that mission.”
Strategic Rationale: Community as a Feature
For Constant Contact CEO Frank Vella, the acquisition is about bridging the gap between having a tool and knowing how to use it. In a market where SMBs often feel overwhelmed by "tech noise," providing world-class education and a sense of community is a significant differentiator.
The GURU Media Hub will continue to operate independently under Schwedelson's direction, focusing on its ongoing growth while feeding strategic insights into the Constant Contact ecosystem.
The "Learning Platform" Pivot
In 2026, the competitive advantage for SaaS (Software as a Service) companies has shifted. It’s no longer enough to have the best features; you must have the best Customer Education. By acquiring the "GURU" infrastructure, Constant Contact is effectively turning its user base into a student body, ensuring higher retention and better results for the businesses they serve.