Meet Lance

Lance Dutson is a communications strategist, media producer, and public affairs advisor with more than two decades of experience helping candidates, elected officials, advocacy organizations, nonprofits, and businesses communicate complex ideas with clarity and persuade audiences through compelling media.

As President of Red Hill Strategies, Lance develops communications strategies that combine research, message development, media relations, and high-impact advertising. He has written, produced, and directed television commercials, radio advertising, digital campaigns, streaming video, podcasts, and social media content for political campaigns, advocacy organizations, nonprofits, and businesses. His work is rooted in a simple philosophy: every message should have a purpose, every advertisement should move an audience, and every campaign should be grounded in strategy.

Unlike many communications consultants, Lance is deeply involved in the creative process itself. In addition to developing strategy, he brings hands-on expertise in media production, website development, digital publishing, video production, podcasting, and interactive communications. His uncommon blend of strategic, creative, and technical experience allows him to oversee projects from initial concept through final production while ensuring every piece of media serves a larger communications objective.

Just as importantly, Lance is fluent in the substance behind the message. Throughout his career, he has worked extensively in public policy, government, and political advocacy, developing expertise in issues including healthcare, energy, taxation, economic development, government transparency, and state government operations. His ability to quickly understand complex policy challenges—and translate them into language that informs, persuades, and motivates—has made him a trusted advisor to elected officials, advocacy organizations, and public affairs campaigns.

Lance has advised campaigns and organizations at the local, state, and federal levels, including serving as Communications Director for Senator Susan Collins' successful 2014 reelection campaign and as a senior advisor to her nationally watched 2020 campaign.

Before founding Red Hill Strategies, Lance served in both federal and state government, including as one of the first New Media Directors on Capitol Hill and as Communications Director for the Speaker of the Maine House of Representatives. He later served as Chief Executive Officer of The Maine Heritage Policy Center, where he led one of Maine's leading public policy organizations while directing its communications, research, and public affairs efforts.

Long before digital communications became standard in politics, Lance helped pioneer online political journalism and digital media in Maine. He founded Maine Web Report, one of the state's first political news websites, earning national recognition for investigative reporting. He later founded The Maine Wire, which became a leading source of news and analysis on Maine public policy. He also co-produced one of Maine's earliest political podcasts and has continued producing podcasts as the medium has evolved.

Lance wrote a weekly opinion column for the Bangor Daily News for several years, where he explored politics, public policy, and government, and has been featured by The Boston Globe, The Washington Post, PBS, and the Columbia Journalism Review. He has lectured on political communications and new media at Harvard Law School, the U.S. Naval Academy, and the University of Massachusetts.

Lance has been recognized as one of Maine's "25 Most Influential" political figures and has received numerous awards for political advertising, digital strategy, and web development. Today, he helps campaigns, organizations, and public leaders communicate with clarity, produce persuasive media, and navigate complex public issues in an increasingly fragmented communications environment.