DALE HUTCHERSON
Finding Purpose in the Power of the Right Moment.
In the summer of 2024, Kairos Creative had the opportunity to collaborate with Dale Hutcherson, an independent candidate running for Weakley County Mayor. Dale entered a competitive three-way race against a Republican and another independent candidate. Despite having a tall hill to climb, Dale achieved a decisive victory, securing approximately 64% of the vote. This case study highlights the creative strategy and storytelling that contributed to this outcome.
Our collaboration began in May 2024, marking our first introduction to one another. This took place less than ninety days before the election. With limited time, we needed to craft a series of videos that would resonate deeply with the community, articulate Dale’s vision, and authentically showcase his character. Additionally, the campaign faced the challenge of differentiating Dale’s candidacy and values in a crowded race while addressing critical local issues such as education, infrastructure, and agriculture.
The right story, told the right way, can change everything—even an election outcome.
To ensure a compelling and comprehensive campaign, we developed 11 videos covering a range of topics, including:
Why He Ran: Dale’s motivations rooted in six generations of Weakley County heritage, his commitment to servant leadership, and his conservative values.
Education: Highlighting Dale’s unwavering support for Weakley County Schools and his belief in providing the necessary resources for continued success.
Agriculture: Focusing on community-driven solutions and support for local farmers.
Greater Than Ourselves: A thematic piece emphasizing leadership as service, inspiring collective action for the greater good.
Behind the Scenes: A candid look at Dale with his family, showcasing his authenticity and personal side.
Each video was tailored to specific issues and audiences, blending strategic messaging with emotional resonance. The production process included creating and reviewing individual story boards and filming over a series of days. With the foundation of these tailored videos in place, our focus turned to ensuring their strategic deployment and messaging resonance.
While not the primary strategist for Dale’s campaign, we contributed significantly to messaging and creative direction of creative film and its utilization. Our approach wasn’t about scripting a candidate—it was about showcasing authenticity. Every word Dale spoke was his own; our role was to capture and share his vision in a way that resonated. By highlighting his servant leadership and commitment to “doing something greater,” we crafted optimistic, relatable content that inspired confidence in Weakley County’s future.
The videos played a pivotal role in amplifying Dale’s message and connecting with voters on a personal level. The videos garnered thousands of views across social media, engaging residents and sparking discussions that ultimately translated into widespread voter support. His decisive victory—in a highly competitive race—underscored the effectiveness of this approach. Dale’s campaign became a testament to the power of intentional storytelling in shaping public perception and driving electoral success.
This collaboration exemplifies Kairos Creative’s mission of “storytelling with intention.” By capturing Dale’s kairos moment—the opportune time to act—we helped him inspire, connect, and ultimately achieve a transformative win. The success of this project reflects the potential of purposeful storytelling to create lasting impact. It was a joy to work with Dale, Sam, and Mila for this incredible election season, and we wish them and Weakley County the very best in the years to come.
A WORD FROM DALE
Kairos was founded on the belief that a single moment can be the moment that changes everything. At Kairos Creative, we’re here to help you seize this moment and bring your vision to life through intentional storytelling and purposeful strategy.
Your journey begins today—let’s create something extraordinary together.