Andrew R Hetzel Email Address

Vice President, Corporate Communications

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan provides or administers health care benefits to more than 4.8 million members through a variety of health care options, including Traditional Blue Cross Blue Shield, Blue Preferred and Community Blue PPOs, Blue Choice Point of Service and Blue Care Network HMO. The nonprofit company is the health plan of choice for more than 78,000 Michigan businesses.

Strategic communications thought leader with more than 17 years executive-level experience developing and advancing paid, earned, owned, social and internal communications functions for one of the nation’s leading health insurance brands. One of the longest-serving senior communications and marketing leaders in the 35-company Blue Cross and Blue Shield system. Built integrated strategic communications function managing paid, earned, social and brand journalism channels for BCBSM, a Michigan-based nonprofit mutual health insurer with members in 50 states and annual revenue exceeding $32 billion. Experienced with leading change, leading cross functional teams, innovating to advance brand reputation, aligning executive leadership behind communications strategy to achieve business results, counseling during crises, launching new channels and engaging local and national news media. Practiced at simplifying the complex. Turns corporate language into words that humans understand. Approaches work with humility, empathy and a common touch. Practices active listening. Puts the audience at the heart of the communications plan. Counsel to BCBSM senior management on brand and reputation management strategy. Organizational leader for public relations, advertising, marketing communications, sports partnership management, employee communications, social media and brand journalism. Helped launch BCBSM’s corporate marketing function. Built Michigan’s largest health and wellness social media community from the ground up. Honored by the International Association of Business Communicators as 2014 IABC-Detroit Communicator of the Year. Prior experience includes agency public relations and state-level public affairs. Accredited member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). Member of Arthur W. Page Society and IABC. Andy's signature themes, according to Clifton StrengthsFinder, are Strategic, Maximizer, Relator, Communication and Significance. Andy has been married for 22 years, is the father of two daughters and loves to laugh.