Why There Are So Many Marketing NEDs and Consultants?

There Aren’t Enough!

Corporate marketing is broken, and it’s time we admit it. The best marketers—the ones who love creativity, who care about results, and who want to make an impact—they’re leaving corporate because they’re fed up. They’re tired of the endless cycle of doing work that looks good on paper but means nothing to the buyer. They’re done with creating reports and dashboards that make marketing “look busy” without moving the needle on revenue. They’re walking away from the bureaucracy, office politics, and the constant need to appease the quarterly numbers. They’re done with being “yes men and women” in a system that’s all fluff and no impact.

Working in corporate marketing today is a grind, but not because the work is challenging. The hard part? It’s the people, the endless politicking, the layers of “approval” needed to launch even the simplest campaign, and the obsessive focus on metrics that mean little to actual buyers. The best people are going into consulting because it’s one of the few places where they can truly create, innovate, and connect with clients who value results over “activity.”

Corporate vs. Consultancy

For marketers who thrive on results, the consultancy path offers clarity, freedom, and authenticity. It’s not about showing up to fill a position—it’s about showing up to drive change. RP consultants and NEDs aren’t just partners; they’re a trusted extension of each client’s team, bringing outside-the-box frameworks that leapfrog corporate’s tired systems to get straight to the right answer. In consultancy, the work is real, the results are meaningful, and the bureaucracy? Barely exists.

Corporate’s Pipeline Problem

Ask any corporate CEO what they want from marketing, and the answer’s the same: more leads. But what if that holy grail of lead generation is just an illusion? Corporate marketing suffers from Empty Pipeline Syndrome—a condition where the pipeline is packed with MQLs, SQLs, and other “qualified leads” that go absolutely nowhere. These “leads” are usually nothing more than a polite phone call, a form fill, or a webinar signup. They look great on a report, but they’re nothing more than filler.

These “vanity leads” create the illusion of productivity. Sales has more names to chase, marketing can show off big numbers, and the C-suite gets a pat on the back for their “full pipeline.” But when it comes down to revenue, these leads aren’t closing. Why? Because corporate marketing is chasing numbers that look good on paper instead of focusing on what actually works. And every quarter, the same cycle repeats: more leads, more filler, more fluff.

Consultants and NEDs don’t have time for this kind of make-believe marketing. They’re here to deliver impact, not a pretty pipeline.

Big-Name CMOs Can Be Bad for Growing Businesses

For companies looking to grow, hiring a CMO from a big-name corporate sounds like a dream come true—instant credibility, right? But here’s the reality: big-name hires don’t always work, and for smaller companies, they often backfire. Why? Because corporate CMOs aren’t trained to be adaptable, resourceful, or hands-on. They’re used to giant teams, multimillion-dollar budgets, and a mountain of support.

Drop them into a startup or scale-up and they’re completely out of their element. They don’t have the luxury of layers, teams, or safety nets. In corporate, the system is designed to absorb failure so it never hits the bottom line. But in a startup? Every penny counts, every action has a consequence, and there’s no hiding behind layers of management. Startups need people who can get things done—not people who’ve spent their careers checking boxes and reporting up the chain.

A good consultant or NED, on the other hand, understands how to get results with limited resources. They’re adaptable, focused, and know that every decision they make has to drive impact. They’re not here to fill up a pipeline; they’re here to build growth.

Corporate Marketing Can’t Keep Talent

Corporate marketing is built to keep people busy.

But busy isn’t the same as productive, and the best marketers know it. The structure of corporate marketing rewards “yes men and women” who agree to whatever the CEO demands, regardless of whether it’s the right move for the business. Instead of challenging the status quo, they fall in line, filling the pipeline with “leads” that don’t close, creating endless reports, and sticking to metrics that have nothing to do with actual revenue.

This is why talented marketers are leaving. They’re done with being “yes men and women.” They want to drive real results, build strategies that matter, and work with clients who understand the difference between vanity metrics and actual growth. As consultants and NEDs, they get to choose clients who respect their insights, value creativity, and are willing to go beyond superficial KPIs.

Beyond Corporate’s Tired Playbook

At RP, our NEDs and consultants bring more than just expertise—they bring frameworks that bypass the corporate playbook entirely. Corporate structures are often designed to produce reports and maintain order, not to innovate or drive true growth. RP’s approach cuts out the noise, focusing on frameworks that reach the right answer faster, without the multi-layered process and analysis paralysis of corporate environments.

RP NEDs look beyond the busywork and get straight to what matters: strategies that align with customers, increase revenue, and build brand loyalty. They know that buyers don’t care about internal reporting; they care about genuine connections and seamless experiences. RP’s consultants get in, get things moving, and make sure the work is real and the results measurable. It’s a no-nonsense approach, purpose-built for companies ready to grow.

More Leads, Please

Here’s a hard truth for corporate marketing: more leads aren’t the answer. Chasing leads for the sake of leads is a recipe for wasted budget, frustrated sales teams, and a pipeline that’s all volume and no value. Ask a good consultant what they think about vanity metrics like form fills, open rates, and impressions, and they’ll tell you—they’re a distraction.

Real growth comes from focusing on quality over quantity. It’s about understanding what your buyers actually care about, not bombarding them with “awareness” ads and generic content. Good consultants know this, which is why they’re redefining marketing for the businesses that matter. They’re not here to “fill the funnel”; they’re here to drive conversions and meaningful engagement.

Revenue Practice NEDs and Consultants

This is where RP’s NEDs stand out. They’re not just another set of “marketing consultants”; they’re the antidote to corporate nonsense. They’re here to cut through the fluff, to throw out the metrics that don’t matter, and to focus on what actually drives growth. They’re independent advisors who aren’t chained to meaningless KPIs or pressured to deliver numbers just for the sake of it.

RP NEDs are champions of real change. They focus on strategies that align with customer needs, prioritize buyer engagement over pipeline filler, and deliver work that actually moves the needle. They’re not here to play corporate games—they’re here to bring clarity, creativity, and measurable impact. And unlike traditional CMOs who get tangled in the web of corporate demands, RP NEDs have the freedom to say what needs to be said, do what needs to be done, and drive real results.

Ready to Make Real Marketing Work?

If you’re tired of the corporate marketing grind and want to work with someone who understands the reality of great marketing, consider connecting with a Revenue Practice NED. With an RP NED, you’ll get actionable guidance, clear insights, and strategies that make an impact. Connect with Samson Husbands on LinkedIn to start a conversation about how an RP NED can help

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