GovExec, an information services company for US government leaders and contractors, has acquired Government Marketing University, (GMarkU) a training, skills development, and career growth community platform that serves the entire public sector ecosystem.
Terms of the deal, which was completed with financial support from mid-market private-equity firm Growth Catalyst Partners (GCP), have not been disclosed.
Over the past eight months, GovExec has executed on its strategic vision of organic and acquisitive growth to build the most powerful set of real-time, predictive intelligence, community activation, and performance marketing tools that support government contractors at every phase of the buying process. The acquisition of GMarkU marks the company’s growing presence in the public sector space and its first in skills-based development.
Powered by its community, GMarkU’s platform delivers insights, best practices, idea sharing, and networking to empower government contractors to improve their marketing and sales output and grow their careers. It complements GovExec’s strong public sector portfolio, which already includes renowned media brands and business intelligence tools, as well as a full suite of services needed to inform and impactfully execute the “go to market” strategy for government contractors of all sizes.
Stephanie Geiger will join as Executive Vice President, charged with managing the business, its strategic direction, and day-to-day operations. Lou Anne Brossman will join as a Strategic Advisor, supporting strategic decision-making and serving as a thought leader within the community.
“Government Marketing University is one of the most respected brands in skills-based training in the public sector,” says Tim Hartman. “Together with Stephanie and Lou Anne, we have the opportunity to invest in the long term growth of GMarkU’s breadth, depth, and expertise within the government community while expanding its reach to the federal and state and local government. This fits seamlessly into our strategy and I couldn’t be more excited to work with this incredible team and well-respected brand to serve government contractors and help them succeed.”
Under the agreement, GovExec and GMarkU will develop new training solutions for government marketers, sales teams, and business development professionals who serve the US public sector. Through increased exposure to GovExec’s robust portfolio of clients, GMarkU will also have the opportunity to expand its marketing and communications skills-based training tools to government workers and contractors across state, local, defense, and federal industries.
“Joining GovExec creates an exciting new chapter for Government Marketing University. The breadth of distribution channels, robust infrastructure and resources support a strategic investment in GMarkU’s long-term goals of providing a membership-based platform,” says Stephanie Geiger, Co-founder and COO of Government Marketing University. “GMarkU just got a boost in engine power to get more assets, events, training courses, and programs produced and out to our market more quickly. Our mutual passion for fostering community building, mentorship and helping professionals level-up in their expertise makes this a perfect next step in our ability to deliver dynamic and curated offerings for this unique community.”
The deal gives trusted GMarkU a robust infrastructure and investment to maximise and expand its skill-based offerings to its community and grow into new distribution channels through GovExec’s portfolio of brands. In addition, GMarkU will now be able to leverage the expansive technologies and business processes from GovExec as a foundation for accelerated growth. Building on its popularity, GMarkU will continue to produce its must-attend annual GAIN Conference, which will be held in November 2021. Each year, the conference draws 400-plus government contractors and government leaders with a specific focus on marketing. As a matter of course, GMarkU will maintain an agnostic approach to all vendors and suppliers across all of its offerings.
“It is a privilege to join GovExec during this time of unprecedented growth for Government Marketing University. We’ve had a long-standing strategic partnership with GovExec, and this acquisition will enhance and expand the experience of our students who engage with us for expertise in government marketing,” says Lou Anne Brossman, Founder and CEO of Government Marketing University. “The fusion of both organisations unites our mutual drive for innovation, entrepreneurialism, and market leadership, and we look forward to offering our students a more comprehensive suite of training offerings that complement the work we are already doing.”
GMarkU will be integrated into GovExec’s operations over the coming months.
