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Charese Fruge’ (@MCMediaonline) Talks To Davia Sims
July 5, 2023
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Davia Sims is the digital producer for WSTR (Star 94)/Atlanta. Her current responsibilities include running a show and editing digital content. “I edit every post that goes on our social media pages and website,” she explains. “I have a podcast and edit the audio for that, and I create graphics for it as well. I write articles for the website, and I film interviews for the on-air talent.”
“Social media is my expertise,” says Sims. “On the side, I help all my friends who have their own businesses by keeping their content fresh, as well as following trends to get better engagement with their followers and I help them gain more followers. I also have a YouTube channel and I’ve been making videos on YouTube since 2009.”
“I got my first radio job in 2018 as a paid intern for Cox Media Group here in Atlanta,” explains Sims. “I was an assistant to the videographer and worked there for five amazing months. Then, I was an on-air intern in 2019 for a popular radio show called ‘The Bert Show’ and that was the first time I was on the radio, and I was able to talk about my life and really get a better understanding of how radio shows work.”
“Finally, I began working as the digital producer for the job I have now, and I’ve been working here since February 13, 2023, and it is literally a dream come true because I’m doing what I love, so it doesn’t feel like work,” says Sims. “My biggest accomplishment so far has been increasing our engagement and increasing our ratings. I also love networking and meeting new people, especially famous talent, and correspondents in my field.”
“So far, I think the biggest challenge for me is making sure I can give everything 100% because I am a new mom. My son was discharged from the NICU in December 2022, and I want to make sure he gets my attention and I’m being a good parent, but I also want to make sure I’m always on top of my game at work as well,” says Sims.
When it comes to connecting with the younger audience, Sims has a few ideas on how to create engagement and loyalty, especially in the digital world. “I think using the right hashtags is key and making sure we cater to our audience by playing music that they want to listen to or posting things that they can relate to.” As far as diversity goes, “I do see more women in media today compared to how things were maybe 20 years ago and even 10 years ago,” she says. “However, I think we can do more by making sure women of color are represented as well.”
“As far as AI for radio, I don’t like it because I think that using AI takes jobs away from people like me who can do the same thing, only better, by making a real connection,” says Sims. “I just think it’s lazy to use AI. Yes, it’s cool what we can do with it, but using AI for radio, television, movies, etc. - I’m not here for it.”
“As for what keeps me up at night, honestly, I’m always up reading. I am always on the internet reading the latest stories and entertainment news to see what’s trending, and what I can write about to make sure the station I work for is always up-to-date,” says Sims. “And if I weren’t doing what I am doing now…well, I wouldn’t be doing anything else because this is my calling. I would find a way to be in media somehow!”
“As for finding balance, this is a tough one for me,” says Sims. “Being a mom comes first, but I always find myself multitasking. Even when I’m not at work, I’m still working for the radio station and being a mom. My focus right now is my family, and professionally, my goal is to interview a celebrity by myself, so that’s next on my to-do (accomplish) list.
Follow Davia Sims @DaviaMonae on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Also, you can follow the radio station @Star94Atlanta on Facebook and Instagram. Finally, download the Audacy app and listen every Friday at 9:30AM because that’s when I go live on the app.
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