Mike was honored with the prestigious 2022 Silver Medal Award by the American Advertising Federation for outstanding contributions to the advertising industry and business community. With broad experience in marketing, Mike Albrecht, recently retired from 9thWonder Houston’s new business development activities as a partner. Mike has almost 40 years of hands-on expertise in the marketing/advertising business, including 14 years as principal of his own advertising firm, before selling to the global agency, Bates Worldwide. After 5 years as Chief Development Officer for another agency, Mike joined 9thWonder as partner now heading up new business. He is a former president of the Houston Advertising Federation and serves on the organization’s Past President’s Council.Mike's extensive business experience includes developing and implementing marketing programs for global brands such as ConocoPhillips, Silestone, American Rice, Minute Maid, Total Petrochemicals and Imperial Sugar.He has also directed marketing campaigns for several regional clients, including the Houston Texans, Charming Charlie, Baskins Western Wear, San Antonio Credit Union, Boy Scouts, Texas State Optical, Grand Prix Houston, Texas Renaissance Festival, Perry's Steakhouse, and Texas A&M University. Mike has been the recipient of multiple industry awards for his work internationally, nationally and locally. He frequently speaks at industry events and on college campuses about advertising and marketing issues.Mike is a native Houstonian, a graduate of Strake Jesuit College Preparatory, and a graduate of Texas A&M University with a degree in marketing. He also is past president of the advisory board for the Center for Teaching Excellence at Texas A&M. Mike is also a founding partner of Backyard Pitmasters (BrisketU), a business built around a class for teaching consumers the perfect techniques for smoking true-Texas BBQ in their own backyard. BrisketU has been recognized across the US for its innovative concept and popularity in a variety of national publications like GOOP by Gwyneth Paltrow, Netflix, Food Network Magazine, USA Network and others. BrisketU is currently franchising and expanding the business around the country.