Porn Valley- The KSEX Games which had been scheduled for the end of June will likely be postponed. But if you've been trying to keep track of the results of the play-at-home edition, this is what's gone on so far.
The audio's been down since May 3. Wankus got fired May 10. Tyler Faith announced her resignation the following day. Lorrainiac has been announced as Wankus' replacement. The new VP Joe Brandi announces that KSEX is playing to less than 100 members. Meanwhile owner Jon Belinkie announces that KSEX has 2800 paying members. And now for the updates.
Nautica Thorn we’ve now learned walked before her debut. There are rumors of Rebecca Love and Stormy Daniels hitting the road in support of Wankus and we’re told a few others are considering an exit also.
Looking at moves and replacements to counter those hits, KSEX grabbed Brandi who's not necessarily a household name.
It’s too early to tell what CEO Belinkie and the KSEX crew will do to fill the gaps but with the obvious lack of expertise, internally, Belinkie may have to spend even more money by outsourcing.
To wit: with his experience in Top 10 broadcast radio, as a voice over artist, most notably as one of the Transformers on FOX, as a musician who not only played with well known groups such as The Gap Band, The Platters and members of The Time and P-Funk, Wankus had many things going in his sizable entertainment portfolio and frequently applied them to the presentation of his own show and in development of other KSEX shows, events, promotions and commercials.
As the creator (from scratch) of KSEX, from his first day under the Mike Rick Regime to the night of his Belinkie-bought spaghetti and mandolin dinner, Wankus was inventing, re-inventing and re-working programming with as much punch as budgets or management would allow. He wrote, voiced, sang, composed and edited all show themes, commercials, parodies, contests and events...some very popular ones such as KSEXgames 1 and 2.
Some other Wankus credits that many didn’t know about included writing theme music for The Rikki Lake Show, composing the score for The Hollywood Reporter “Key Arts” Awards in the late 90s and his most impressive accomplishment, being featured in The Museum of Television and Radio for his work on KRTH, K-Earth 101, Los Angeles with legendary morning host, Robert W. Morgan.
While some of those credits may be impressive on their own, Wankus' quick wit, assisted by years of improvisational training and performing, carried him a long way and very little snuck by him when a microphone was “hot”.
Live in the studio or live with an audience, Wankus, despite some of those controversial Adultfyi headlines, stood behind his views and comments and unlike many, even at higher levels (Imus), Wankus didn’t waiver from his opinions, even when facing a potential ass whoopin'.
Wankus also had a way with the bigger stars, showing them a lot of respect and appreciation - a large factor that played into getting them to come on board and to host weekly shows on KSEX for as low as $20.00 per hour. A standard rate for a part time host in mainstream radio, but a price tag amazingly low [and some say insulting] for the services of an adult star.
Yet Wankus showed his fairness and loyalty and built the trust and friendships of big stars like Ginger Lynn, Katie Morgan, Kylie Ireland, Sunset Thomas, Stormy Daniels, Jacklyn Lick, Rebecca Love, Michelle Lay, Michelle Raven, Nikki Benz and dozens of others who joined the KSEX family proudly, giving years of service.
According to KSEX insiders, Wankus was the creative nucleus and workhorse that kept the image and presentation on a professional level, but had little, if any involvement in the business side of KSEX. Closing occasional sales deals or offering his opinion on the site design was about as far into the business management side Wankus wanted to be. Lack of marketing budgets, traffic advances to the web site or the actual technical bells and whistles were the responsibility of Wankus’ partners over the years.
Early on it was “the Rick brothers” and over the last year or so, Jon Belinkie. In fact, it is rumored that Wankus’ 20% of the company was given to him as a reward for his creative contributions, development and value to the product he created.
KSEX has never had astounding traffic or mind blowing membership. But checking an Alexa history or just paying attention over the years will show you that at times they peaked with impressive ‘industry’ numbers largely in part to an impressive cast of hosts and stars that perform a unique and professional entertainment display, not seen at the same level anywhere else. Yet this station stays hidden, known only among it’s peers as a credible adult biz small promotional platform, one that not too many outside of Porn Valley even heard of.
By losing the nucleus and core of what made KSEX a sellable product with a lot of potential, management faces some critical decision-making in the months ahead.
After all, experience, talent and charisma don't come cheap.
