Hutt Strategic Communications

04/30/2026

I never imagined having so much fun being on a foundation board. This is such an incredible team of passionate and creative people who all care deeply for the cause. Get you a board who laughs, dances, and gets to work like this crew. They are the best. Thanks to all who attended and contributed. What a night!

04/30/2026

Thanks Panama City Beach Chamber of Commerce! Grateful to be a part of your amazing group.

Chamber Spotlight: Hutt Strategic Communications Lifelong Storyteller Brings Strategic Marketing & Communications Home Cara Hutt’s first job wasn’t

04/16/2026

This is really interesting—and also a little concerning. Mark Zuckerberg is experimenting with AI “clones” to extend leadership presence and communication. On the surface, it’s innovative. But underneath, it risks sending a different message: That being present, listening, and engaging directly with employees isn’t a priority.

I've worked with a lot of executive leaders over my career, and no matter how smart and savvy they are, some of them just don't want to talk to their teams. They say "Oh they don't want to hear from me," or "it's not about me, it's about them," or "I don't have time."

Getting out in front of your team regularly and opening the door for real questions isn’t always easy.
- Schedules get packed.
- Conversations get uncomfortable.
-Not every decision is popular.

But that’s exactly why it matters. Being visible, accessible, and willing to engage—especially when it’s hard—is one of the most important things you can do as a leader. It’s always better to show up authentically than to step back, delegate it away, or (obviously) send a bot in your place. Even if you don’t say everything perfectly, your team sees you. And that’s what builds trust.

Trust inside an organization is built through:
- Clear, consistent communication
- Transparency around decisions
- Real access to leadership—not a version of it

This isn’t just an issue in big tech. It shows up in organizations of every size. You don’t need an AI version of your leadership team. You need a communication system that ensures people feel informed, aligned, and connected—because when that’s in place, everything else works better.

Meta wants employees to feel “connected” to the AI Zuckerberg.

04/01/2026

Really enjoyed being part of the Panama City Beach Chamber of Commerce Women’s Series yesterday.

There’s something powerful about being in a room full of women who are building, leading, and investing in others. Grateful for the perspective — and the reminder to keep pouring into the people around us.

03/13/2026

Lately, I've been meeting with a lot of business leaders in our region. When we talk about what I do, I keep hearing the same story. They haven't always had great experiences with their marketing partners. They've invested, sometimes significantly, in support… but were left wondering what they were getting in return. Not because anyone had bad intentions — but because the experience felt unclear or disconnected.

Not knowing what they're paying for.
Not sure if it’s working.
Waiting days (or weeks) for responses.
Feeling like they're managing the people they hired to help them.

I hate hearing this, because your communications partner should reduce stress, not create more of it.

So, I wrote a short piece about what organizations truly need from a communications partner — and why so many experiences fall short.

If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone.
👉 Link in comments

03/12/2026

Kristina, Scott, and Tricia did an incredible job sharing the Life Management story at the Chamber First Friday this week. I especially appreciated the vulnerability Scott and Tricia showed in sharing their personal experiences and why this work matters so deeply to them.

Several of us on the Foundation Board have been personally touched by su***de and mental health challenges in our own families. It’s a difficult reality to talk about — but conversations like this help break the stigma and remind people they are not alone.

Grateful to be part of an organization doing such important work in our community.

03/12/2026

Partnering with Leigh and her team has been a true joy. I'm so excited for this show. I know it will be incredible.

03/08/2026

🧺 Laundry & Leadership — SNL Alum Talks Self-Doubt

🎧 What I’m listening to — Ana Gasteyer on "Good Hang" with Amy Poehler
Okay, I know "Good Hang" isn’t a business or self-help podcast, but Amy often interviews incredibly accomplished women who are refreshingly candid about leadership, careers, and self-doubt. I almost always come away with something relatable.

💭 A favorite nugget
Ana Gasteyer, one of my favorite SNL alumni, shared a story about playing Elphaba in Wicked. After every show she was, “mercilessly cruel” to herself, internally criticizing her vocal performance each night.

After her Broadway run, someone gave her recordings of her final shows. She didn’t listen to them for 15 years because she was so mortified. But, when she finally did, she was shocked at how good they sounded. She said, “The difference between 98% and 100% is imperceptible to anyone but you… you are not a reliable witness about yourself.”

💡 My take
This hit home. There are so many times I’ve avoided revisiting old comms plans or executive speeches I wrote because I was convinced they were terrible. But, when I did look back I realized they were actually pretty great. We’re often our own harshest critics. We obsess over tiny imperfections that no one else notices. We truly aren't reliable witnesses of our own work.

👍 Would I recommend it?
Absolutely. The show is funny, thoughtful, and full of unexpectedly good insights. It’s not a leadership podcast, but leadership themes show up constantly.

More next Sunday. I’m always looking for the next Sunday listen — what’s a podcast, book, or interview that’s stuck with you lately?

03/06/2026

I’m not anti-trend. But I am cautious about chasing social media challenges just because they’re everywhere.

Every few months, there’s a new format: A challenge. A sound. A fill-in-the-blank template. A “you have to do this” moment. And suddenly brands feel pressure to participate so they don’t look behind.

The format itself isn’t the issue. The issue is when the trend becomes the strategy. Before jumping on something viral, think about a few questions:

– Does this reinforce who we are, or distract from it?
– Would this still make sense if it weren’t trending?
– Does this move our narrative forward?

Trends can absolutely humanize a brand. They can show personality and relevance. But when there’s no clear connection to positioning, they create noise instead of momentum.

Relevance isn’t about speed. It’s about fit. The brands that build trust over time aren’t chasing every wave. They’re choosing intentionally.

Have you seen a trend that felt surprisingly aligned with a brand — or completely off?

03/05/2026

Proud to be a part of the Life Management Foundation Board. Don't miss Life Management leaders discussing their important work in our community at tomorrow's First Friday.

Chamber members and invited guests! We look forward to seeing you on Friday, March 6th, for the First Friday morning program! This is the place to be if you do business in Bay County!