From Mad Men to Modern Men: Rescuing B2B from the Dustbin of Marketing History

From Mad Men to Modern Men: Reinventing B2B Marketing with Mark Pickett

On this episode of B2B No Bull, Liz and Mark Brohan sit down with Mark Pickett, Co-Founder of The Black Phoenix Group, to explore how legacy B2B companies can finally shake off outdated tactics and step into the digital era.

Mark’s journey from Marine Corps combat veteran to marketing executive to investor in niche manufacturing and distribution firms gives him a unique perspective on transformation. He pulls no punches when it comes to what B2B marketers still “suck at”: understanding how the business really makes money and proving marketing’s role in driving revenue.

Together, the hosts and guest dive into:

• Why industrial and legacy firms lag a decade behind in marketing technology.
• How to align sales and marketing by showing tangible, quick wins.
• Why marketers must speak the language of leadership and connect investment to measurable outcomes.
• The art of telling compelling, modern stories while respecting decades-long customer relationships.

If your company is still relying on faxes, flip phones, and “we’ve always done it this way,” this episode will show you the mindset and tools to scale smarter, sell faster, and finally bring marketing into the modern era.

Resources & References

1. The Black Phoenix Group – Mark Pickett’s firm specializing in industrial and niche manufacturing investments.
2. KPMG – One of Mark’s past corporate leadership stops.
3. U.S. Marine Corps – Where Mark’s leadership journey began.

Highlight Quotes

1. “B2B marketers don’t just need more tools—they need to understand how the business actually makes money.”
2. “Industrial marketing is a decade behind—but the right tech stack can scale demand 100 to 1.”
3. “Sales wants results. Marketing’s job is to prove it can ring the register.”