Today we’d like to introduce you to Cristina Kooker.
Hi Cristina, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Today, I wear a few different hats: Co-Founder and Co-CEO of KSRC Media Plus, host and producer of *The Now with Cris*, and lifelong storyteller. But long before those titles, I was the floor director, teleprompter operator, assistant to the assistant, paper printer, lunch getter, gum holder—you name it. If there was a job to do in the newsroom, I was happy to do it.
I was fortunate enough to start my television career in Houston when I was just 20 years old. For more than two decades, I worked my way up through the industry, eventually becoming a reporter and producer at Great Day Houston on KHOU Channel 11. It was an incredible chapter that allowed me to tell stories, connect with the community, and learn from some of the best in the business.
In 2023, I made one of the biggest decisions of my career and stepped away from television to build something of my own. Alongside my business partner, Kim Gagné, I co-founded KSRC Media Plus, a full-service media agency focused on helping brands tell their stories through strategic content, video production, marketing, and public relations.
Not long after launching the company, we created our own television show, *The Now with Cris*. What started as a dream quickly became a reality when we partnered with FOX LOCAL. Today, I have the opportunity to produce, host, and own the content we create—something I never imagined when I was that 20-year-old kid running around a newsroom hoping someone would give me a chance.
People often ask how I got here, and my answer is still the same: run through every open door—and when it’s closed, find a way to open it or find a new door! 😉 Every opportunity, every challenge, and every leap of faith has led me exactly where I’m supposed to be.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Is the road ever easy? The bumpy roads always have the best stories!
For the most part, my journey in television and media has been an incredible one, but it was the moments I heard the word “no” that truly shaped me. Every rejection, setback, and unexpected turn taught me something valuable and pushed me to become more resilient, more creative, and more confident in taking risks.
When I stepped away from a 20-plus-year television career to build KSRC Media Plus and create The Now with Cris, I had to trust myself in a whole new way. There is no perfect roadmap when you’re building something from the ground up, but I’ve learned that growth happens when you’re willing to embrace the unknown.
I believe everything happens for a reason—you just have to practice what I call the 6 P’s: Patience. Presence. Positivity. Perseverance. Persistence. And Perspective.
Patience reminds you that great things take time. Presence allows you to appreciate the journey instead of always chasing the next milestone. Positivity helps you find the opportunity in every challenge. Perseverance keeps you moving forward when things get hard. Persistence reminds you to keep showing up, even when the results aren’t immediate. And perspective helps you remember that every challenge is part of a bigger story.
The road may not always be smooth, but every twist, turn, and bump has helped create the path I’m on today.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’ve always believed that storytelling has the power to connect people, inspire change, and shine a light on the incredible things happening in our communities. Today, I’m the Co-Founder and Co-CEO of KSRC Media Plus, a full-service media agency where we help brands, organizations, and individuals tell their stories through strategic content, video production, marketing, and public relations. I’m also the host and producer of *The Now with Cris*, a show I created to celebrate the people, places, and experiences that make Houston such an amazing city.
Throughout my career, I’ve specialized in creating authentic connections—whether that’s through a television interview, a brand campaign, or a community story. I’ve always felt that the best stories come from genuine conversations and allowing people to truly be seen.
What I’m most proud of isn’t necessarily a title, an award, or a milestone—it’s that I’ve remained true to who I am throughout the journey. I’m proud to be grounded, humble, giving, and honest. In an industry that can sometimes move quickly and where perception can easily overshadow authenticity, I’ve worked hard to never lose sight of my values or the person I was when I started.
I think what sets me apart is that I genuinely care. I care about the people I interview, the brands we partner with, and the stories we tell. I don’t believe in just creating content—I believe in creating meaningful connections. Staying true to myself has been the foundation of everything I’ve built, and it’s something I’m incredibly proud of.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
The quality I believe has been most important to my success is curiosity. I’ve always been someone who wants to learn, ask questions, listen, and understand the world around me. Whether I was a 20-year-old just starting out in a newsroom or building my own company today, I’ve never stopped being curious about people, stories, and opportunities.
That curiosity has pushed me to continue growing, take chances, and never assume I know everything. It has allowed me to evolve with an ever-changing industry while staying open to new ideas and new possibilities.
I also believe a strong work ethic and the ability to stay grounded have played a huge role in my journey. Talent can open doors, but showing up, doing the work, treating people with kindness, and staying true to your values are what create lasting success.
At the end of the day, I’ve built my career by being willing to learn, willing to work, and willing to take a chance—even when the path wasn’t always clear. I think success comes from staying humble enough to keep learning and confident enough to keep moving forward.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ksrcmediaplus.com
- Instagram: @watchcristina
- Facebook: @thenowwithcris
- LinkedIn: ksrcmediaplus
- Youtube: @thenowwithcris
