Part Buddha, part prize-fighter (a description others have placed on him), Hutson hails from Cleveland—a city known for its lousy weather, bad jokes, and, until LeBron brought home the title, a long run of heartbreak. Like most Clevelanders, he developed a thick skin early. A trait that’s served him well.
After earning his degree in Journalism at the University of Wisconsin–Madison—where he played trombone in the Badger Marching Band—Hutson set his sights on the agency world, starting at J. Walter Thompson in Chicago, working on all the brands he grew up eating and learning from some of the best in the business. From there, his career has taken him across the country, leading teams and shaping work in markets including Las Vegas, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Nashville, New York, and Chicago.
Along the way, he’s built a reputation as a steady, trusted leader—someone who brings clarity to complexity and helps teams do the best work of their careers. He’s helped transform agencies, rebuild creative departments, and elevate challenger brands into more meaningful, recognizable presences. He’s been called a creative rock, a big picture strategist, and the exact kind of creative director everyone would hope to work with.
His work spans digital, social, video, and integrated campaigns, earning recognition from the One Show, Effies, and Addys—including multiple Best of Show honors—and has been featured in outlets like Bloomberg Businessweek, Forbes, and The Huffington Post.
Outside of work, Hutson can be found on a yoga mat (a practice he’s kept for over 25 years), digging through record bins in search of the next great jazz find, or photographing live performances. He’s also a dad, helping his daughter navigate the chaos of high school. An eternal optimist, he still holds out hope that this might finally be the year the Cleveland Browns figure it out.