Honors & Awards
Michael and his teams have been recognize for innovative and trailblazing work across multiple disciplines, including marketing & advertising, entrepreneurship, education and technology.
Technology
Top 50 Tech Leader Award
Michael received the Internet Conference’s “Top 50 Tech Leader” award in 2019 during its inaugural conference at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas. Spears and the many accomplished recipients of the InterCon “Top 50 Tech Leaders Award” were recognized in five distinct areas of accomplishment: overall reach, industry impact, spirit of innovation, future readiness, and market demand.
Advertising & Marketing
Interactive Producer of the Year Award
- Awarded in 2002 by the Acadiana Advertising Federation
- Recognized for his Firefly Digital team’s pioneering digital and interactive media work in 2002
Special Judges Award
- Awarded in 2001 by the Acadiana Advertising Federation
- Recognized for his Firefly Digital team’s innovation and exceptional overall work in digital marketing and interactive website design work in 2001
Electronic Producer of the Year Award
- Awarded in 2000 by the Acadiana Advertising Federation
- Recognized for his Firefly Digital team’s 2001 entries, this prestigious award recognized Firefly as the top agency for digital and interactive media design.
Regional ADDY Awards
Awarded in 2001 by the 7th Deep South District regional competition of the American Advertising Federation. Michael and his team at Firefly were awarded two regional ADDY Awards for their groundbreaking interactive website work for Tasty Twinkles, a start-up candy brand.
- Award: Interactive Media, World Wide Web, Business-to-Consumer Category
- Client: Tasty Twinkles, Tasty Adventure
- Award: Disk-Based Business-to-Consumer Category
- Client: Tasty Twinkles
Local ADDY Awards
Awarded between 2000 and 2003 by the Acadiana Advertising Federation, Michael and his team at Firefly were recognized for outstanding strategy, creativity and design work across various categories, mainly interactive and World Wide Web.
- Website, B-to-B Category
- Client: Firefly Digital, The 3 Faces of Firefly
- Interactive Media Category
- Client: J Footwear, Footwear Solutions for Every Industry, Every Day
- Interactive Media Category
- Client: New Orleans Original Daiquiris, Fat Tuesday, We Got Your Mardi Gras
- Collateral Material Category
- Client: Firefly Digital
- Interactive Media, World Wide Web, B-to-C Category
- Client: Tasty Twinkles, Tasty Adventure
- Interactive World Wide Web/Online Advertising Category
- Client: The Bulldog Bar & Grill
Entrepreneurship
Small Business Person of the Year Award - Acadiana Region
- Awarded in 2003 by Louisiana Economic Development, Michael was recognized for his innovation, leadership and business achievements among businesses across the Acadiana region.
Small Business Person of the Year Award - State Runner Up
- Awarded in 2003 by Louisiana Economic Development, Michael was recognized for his innovation, leadership and business achievements among businesses across the state of Louisiana.
Education
Choice Champion Award
Awarded in 2006 by the Lafayette Parish Schools of Choice for his work and commitment to the stellar rise of the program, the LPSS Schools of Choice program recognized Michael’s contributions with the “Schools of Choice Champion” award.
As inaugural Advisory Board Chairman of the Academy of Information Technology, his contributions included establishing the advisory board,, his leadership on the board, development of the academy’s curriculum, and community awareness and support.
EdTech Digest Awards
The EdTech Awards recognize people in and around education for outstanding contributions in transforming education through technology to enrich the lives of learners everywhere. Featuring edtech’s best and brightest, the annual program shines a spotlight on cool tools, inspiring leaders and innovative trendsetters in the education landscape. SmartChocie was recognized in two categories:
