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Charese Fruge (@McMediaonline) Talks To Kira Kathleen
June 20, 2023
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Kira is the morning show co-host of “Sam & Kira” in the Morning on WCTO (Cat Country 96)/Allentown, PA. She’s been there since February of 2022 and has taken over a lot of the station’s social media in order to modernize the content, and she exclusively edits, uploads, and advertises the morning show podcast “Sam & Kira After Breakfast.”
Kira started her radio career in Sin City (Las Vegas) in 2018 and has many stories to tell. “I started as a street teamer for what was Entercom at the time. About 6-7 months later I started part time on-air for 98.5 KLUC, while continuing with promotions,” she says. “In that time, Shawn Tempesta, from sister station KMXB, Mix 94.1 started an internet show ‘#Free4All,’ where I learned a lot about how to talk and talk well. In March of 2020, I was part of the layoffs due to COVID 19. I immediately started my podcast ‘Finding My Perfect Awkward’ that April. I worked for Allegiant Stadium Tours for a few months in 2021 before returning to radio in April of 2021.”
“I was the receptionist, a sales assistant, and a part time sports producer for Lotus Broadcasting in Las Vegas,” says Kira. “That later turned into a full-time sports producer role, where I worked the radio broadcasts of the Vegas hockey minor league team, Henderson Silver Knights, helped produce a few local sports shows, and learned from some of the hardest working sports broadcasters and producers out there. In February of 2022, I started at Cat Country in Allentown and that is where I am currently!”
After losing her first job in radio in April of 2020 due to the pandemic, Kira started her podcast “Finding My Perfect Awkward” as a way to “stay sharp, sane, and connected,” she says. “The podcast has since become a way to connect with media professionals and share their industry journeys. We’re all goofy and attempting to navigate a crazy world. Starting in the media industry can seem difficult among the chaos and hearing that current media professionals have gone through similar situations can put job seekers’ minds at ease.”
“Finding My Perfect Awkward is also a stream on Twitch where I share tips on mindfulness to help with anxiety, talk about current pop culture events on a segment called ‘Awkward Business,’ and of course, play video games. I never thought I would be into Fortnite - but here we are!” admits Kira. “I also help The Radio Fam’s Marie with her podcast! The Radio Fam has brought together a great community during difficult times like the pandemic where there was little connection with the outside world. I can’t wait to see everyone at Morning Show Boot Camp 2023 in August!”
While still fairly new to the industry, Kira has had some amazing experiences so far. “When I worked as part of the sports department at Lotus in Las Vegas, I had the opportunity to cover the NHL All Star game in January of 2022. As a major fan of hockey and the 2023 Stanley Cup Champion Golden Knights, that will continue to be one of my favorite experiences. I am thankful that I was provided with an unforgettable memory,” she says. “And In August of 2022, my co-host from Cat Country and I introduced Kelsea
Ballerini and Willie Nelson at the local music festival: Musikfest. Incredibly exciting! However, the most exciting thing I have experienced so far in my career is meeting listeners for the first time in an event setting. Cat Country 96 celebrated 25 years in June of 2022. A listener around 13 years old, came up to me while we were welcoming people into the venue, told me she listened to the show, and became my instant best friend. It was the first time I had experienced the feeling of ‘Wow. Somebody listens. I made a connection with somebody. Wild.’ That connection is what our industry is all about. That moment often reminds me of why I do what I do.”
Kira’s experiences in the business haven’t come without their challenges. “I have had the opportunity to work alongside radio veterans, some who want to share their wisdom, and others who do not,” she says. “The two challenges I have learned to navigate are: making sure I advocate for myself, and not letting my age alone dictate my place in a building and in the industry. Nobody is going to advocate for you like YOU. Furthermore, you can do anything you work hard for. No matter your age, or any quality of yours for that matter, you are able to do anything anyone else can do as long as you work hard and are a decent person.”
The personal challenges of the radio industry don’t come without the professional ones. For example, appealing to and engaging loyalty among younger listeners to keep traditional radio alive. “Being relatable is the key to loyalty, engagement, and growth,” says Kira. “If someone makes that connection with the brand or with the content or with the person in general, they are likely to stick around to see what else is in the works. ‘THEY went to this concert’ or ‘THEY are trying this food. So will I.’ HAVE FUN! If listeners hear and see you having fun, they will too.Radio/media professionals are the original influencers, and now play multiple roles in the social media era. Stay relevant and stay connected.”
As far as the other challenge in the industry, diversity, equity, and inclusion, “There is room to grow,” says Kira. “The industry is constantly evolving with the elements that it provides to the listener, but there is a lot of room for improvement when it comes to teaching the new talent in the business and helping them find their groove. Though essential, not everyone is lucky enough to have multiple and diverse mentors to guide them. The industry needs more support between ALL people, no matter who they are. I hope to be that person people can go to for support and eventually guidance.”
The monster in the room today in the industry is AI and the use of AI talent on air. “To know that a computer can essentially be me, is terrifying,” says Kira. “The one thing that remains the difference maker is CONNECTION. AI can replace the voice, maybe even cue emotion from a listener during a contest. The difference is personality and making the listener feel related to. That is what is going to keep the actual human talent around.”
What keeps Kira up at night? “My cat. She is nocturnal and attacks the carpet, my feet, and swats my face ONLY at 1am,” she says. “On a serious note, mental health. Both mine and others. Mental is just as important as physical and needs to be addressed MUCH more frequently and normally. 1 in 4 adults over 18 suffer from a mental illness.
We need to acknowledge that. Seeking help is okay and it is okay to not be okay. For me, finding balance is important,” says Kira. “This is going to sound cliche, but I love to travel. I enjoy exploring new places and then going back to see friends. It has become my way of staying sane.”
Kira also plans to stay busy this summer. “As of right now, I am in concert/event mode, preparing for Musikfest in Bethlehem, PA that our station helps at and hosts. It’s a local music festival in the beginning of August in the primetime of heat, but the turnout last year was crazy, so fingers crossed it will be again this year! MSBC (Morning Show Boot Camp) is right after that!”
Follow Kira @kirakradio on all socials (my individual) @findingmyperfectawkward (podcast on socials and Twitch)
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