Michael DeLong

Michael DeLong is an award-winning, entrepreneurial and transformational leader who has been advancing the integrated marketing and communications discipline for more than 20 years. As an internal agency business leader at companies such as Denso Corporation and Blue Cross Blue Shield, he sparked commercial growth by inspiring teams with a unique vision for brand and data-driven, game-changing ideas. DeLong also founded Fourth Person Media, a marketing and communications consultancy that helps organizations build a competitive advantage through brand journalism and marketing science. Fourth Person champions a distinctive approach to client engagement that relies on immersive collaboration.

Currently, DeLong works closely with brand marketers, brand research experts, and intellectual property attorneys to manage brand enhancement and protection strategy for the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, a national association of 33 independent, community-based, and locally operated Blue Cross Blue Shield companies. The Association owns and manages the Blue Cross and Blue Shield trademarks and names in more than 170 countries around the world and they are the most recognizable brands in the industry. In this role, DeLong examines brand use cases by applying brand best practices and strategic insights. His focus is on evaluating Blue Cross Blue Shield Association and Blue Cross Blue Shield Plan branded initiatives that support and protect the brands while driving business growth.

Having led corporate and marketing communications operations and services, as well as working on the ground in North America, Europe, and Asia, DeLong has an uncommon multi-industry and global perspective. Additionally, he serves on the board of TransformaWell, an NPO dedicated to improving the health and well-being of underserved communities.

DeLong holds an M.S. in Integrated Marketing Communications from West Virginia University and a B.S. in Journalism from Central Michigan University. He and his family are proud Chicagoans and reside in the Grand Boulevard neighborhood within the city’s historic Bronzeville district. DeLong believes in efficient collaboration through collective efficacy and that the highest level of success is achieved through the pure convergence of and respect for diverse ideas, expertise, and backgrounds.