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Charese Fruge’ (@MCMediaonline) Talks To Nikki Vivas
November 22, 2022
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Nikki Vivas is Music Director for Audacy Hot AC KZPT (99.7 The Point)/Kansas City and co-hosts mornings on “Ponch and Nikki in The Morning.” Her responsibilities include creating unique, entertaining content that will keep the “Fam” (what they call their listeners) engaged, programming music, working the different record labels, and staying on top of what’s going on in Kansas City. Outside of radio, she works with different charities that are special to her and emcees events and galas.
Nikki took a pretty bold step to get into the radio business for a college student at the time. “In 2006 I walked into a local radio station in Kansas City and said, ‘I don’t know what I want to do, but I know I want to be a part of this!’ Little did I know I just made a move that would change the rest of my life!” she says.
“Like so many others in radio, I got my start as an Intern. I drove back to Kansas City from The University of Missouri every weekend to work for free (Yes, I was that in love with radio). Finally, I got my shot and I started at KCHZ/Kansas City as part-time on-air/promotions. In 2013, I left KCHZ to be Promotions Director and part-time on-air for KMXV/Kansas City. I left radio in 2015 for television at KMBC 9 News and went back to KCHZ in 2016 to do middays. Then in 2018, I came to 99.7 The Point and started “Ponch and Nikki in The Morning.”
Is Nikki glad she took that bold step as a young woman in college? Absolutely! “Of course, it’s exciting to meet artists that you have loved since you were a kid, and sure, I love traveling to radio events and meeting other industry professionals, but the thing that’s most exciting to me is being able to crack the mic each morning in MY hometown where I was born and raised! I grew up listening to my morning show partner…it’s all come full circle and I never take a second of it for granted!”
The journey for Nikki hasn’t come without challenges; however. “Oh girl, where do I start?” she asks. “Aside from the regular challenges women face in the industry, sacrifice and lack of understanding are two things that don’t get talked about enough. The sacrifices I have made in my personal life like putting my relationship on the back burner and putting off having kids due to the fact that I thought if I took a break, I would lose my spot are choices I have made. Radio always came first. While some longed-for marriage, kids, and that white picket fence life, I wanted more! Nothing wrong with that life, I just had a dream, and nothing was going to get in the way. Now, I’m 35 years old and my biological clock is ticking. It’s a lot of pressure and not a lot of women who aren’t in the industry understand what we go through.”
For women who do want to get into the business, Nikki says, “Be bold, be yourself and set boundaries. Too many times, women keep quiet and make themselves smaller to make other people feel comfortable. Shatter that glass ceiling, babes!”
One of the biggest challenges and necessities of the radio industry is engaging a younger audience and creating loyalty among them. It’s necessary to expand and maintain the business in general. Nikki has a good idea how to do that. “Being that I am a millennial, I think I understand this very well. It’s about creating a bond with your listeners ON and OFF air,” she says. “The days of just doing an air shift are gone. You need to be engaging with your listeners on all platforms. I share my entire life on my socials…recipes, makeup tips, why I’m crying at the sweet old man in his yard…etc. At the end of the day people, regardless of age want to feel like they belong… like they’re a part of something. That’s what I’m here for. To make you laugh, but to also make you feel like we could go grab a drink together.”
Another priority for the industry is creating working environments which include diversity, equity, and inclusion. Have we moved the needle at all over the last few years? “Have we taken some steps to a more inclusive industry, yes. Is it enough? No,” says Vivas. “Until the major players in the industry are more diverse and not just a ‘boys club’ we will continue to deal with women feeling like they’re less than and that they have to work twice as hard just to be seen and heard. It amazes me that most radio stations want to win in women demos, but yet don’t listen to us ladies. It makes zero sense.”
Like most people in the business, the thing that keeps Nikki up at night is “doom scrolling while in bed. I go down the rabbit hole looking for show prep then next thing you know it’s after 9PM. I just learned all about some crazy conspiracy theory and now I’m way past my bedtime. It’s a mess lol!”
Finding balance has been difficult for Nikki. “I have always put my career before everything!” she says. “Looking back, I would push myself so hard! I was always striving to do more, be more ambitious, go harder… I always said, ‘I’ll sleep when I’m dead.’ Now, I realize in order for me to give listeners the best show possible I HAVE to disconnect and go ‘ghost’ sometimes. People don’t realize the toll ‘performing’ takes on your body and mind. Talking and entertaining for four hours straight, five days a week is a grind and I have to take time to decompress and recharge. It’s crucial for my mental health and is now a priority!”
With 2023 on the horizon, Nikki says it’s going to be a big year for her. “My main focus is taking our morning show to the next level. I may be a little biased, but we have a damn good show! There’s no reason we can’t grow into other markets! I am also working on some personal projects that are near and dear to my heart like helping young girls know their worth. God didn’t bless me with this platform for me to not use it for good.”
Follow Nikki Vivas on Instagram @missvivas & Facebook @Nikki Vivas
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