Matt Bleicher joined NBC 25 in January of 2013 as the Internet Managing Editor.
Matt has always loved technology. When he was 10, he reprogrammed a math game for his Atari 800. From that point forward, no matter what answer Matt gave, the game would mark the answer as correct. Would it have been easier just to answer the math questions correctly? Yes, it would have been; however, it also would have been a lot less fun.
In high school Matt ran an online BBS (Bulletin Board System) that anyone in the Flint area could access by dialing a telephone number and using a modem. From his BBS, people could download software, play video games, and chat on message boards. This preceded the World Wide Web, AOL or anything we might now associate with the Internet.
In 1999 Matt began working for Tucows, Inc. This company was dedicated to distributing software online. He started out writing software reviews, but he quickly moved on to writing articles on website creation. Matt also wrote articles about the software industry for magazines and newspapers, and he had a regular column on the Tucows’ website.
Later, as social media and blogs began to become an important part of how we communicate online, Matt helped companies use this new media to great advantage, even having a book about successful startups quote him and use him as a resource.
Additionally, Matt also has a long-running love of news. He grew up in a household where news, particularly local news, was always important. As an adult, Matt watches the news on TV, uses many online resources, and has even been known to pickup a newspaper. Matt doesn’t often admit this, but he even finds C-SPAN to be entertaining.
As a resident of Mid-Michigan for over 26 years, Matt Bleicher is very excited to be a part of the NBC 25 news team. He will have the opportunity to work online and to work in a news environment, which is a perfect combination of his great loves (behind his wife, daughter and possibly his two cats).
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Favorite Movie: Ghostbusters
If you were stranded on an island – what’s the one thing you’d want with you? A volleyball with a face painted on it
Person you most want to have dinner with? The president – not a political statement, I think having dinner with any president would be fantastic.
Interesting talent you possess? I can wiggle my ears. Also: I can bake bread really well.
Best vacation you’ve taken? Summers at my grandparents’ cabin
Favorite childhood memory? I was part of a band that played “Hail to the Chief” for a sitting president – that was pretty awesome.
Place you’d most like to visit? Croatia
What do you do to “treat” yourself? I find a quiet corner and read a good book.
Favorite Michigan spot to visit / vacation? Pretty much anywhere in the UP.
