V-103’s Frank Ski under temporary contract while negotiating a new one. Should he stay?
Frank Ski is working under a temporary contract. CREDIT: Rodney Ho/rho@ajc.com
Loading ...Frank Ski’s latest three-year contract with V-103 expired last month.
But the top-rated R&B/hip-hop station and the veteran radio personality wasn’t able to iron out a new deal in time so he accepted a temporary contract while negotiations continue, Ski said in a brief interview last week. But he’s now living in a bit of limbo and is taking what he’s dubbed a vacation this week.
His boss Rick Caffey, per long-standing policy, declined comment.
Ski, with co-host Wanda Smith, has been part of the longest-running morning show on a single music station in Atlanta, entering the market from Baltimore in 1998. He replaced Mike Roberts & Carol Blackmon, a show which lasted 12 years.
Without a doubt, Ski has been an unqualified success. His show has generated consistently strong ratings for V-103 over the years, almost always No. 1 in key demographics and often by wide margins.
Ski, 48, has always been accessible and friendly to me but is understandably terse about this situation. He has his share of critics, many who feel he name drops too much and can act like a know it all. (When I posted a wholly unscientific poll in 2009 asking then if V-103 should sign him again, 56% said no. For kicks, I’ve posted the same poll today.)
Ski is deservedly well compensated – into the six figures, though I’m not sure exactly how much. But even a No. 1 station such as V-103 has to weigh what it feels is a viable salary vs. its revenues. And while stars are hard to find, much less nurture in Atlanta radio, V-103 has a deep roster of talent. Their other key personality is Atlanta native Ryan Cameron, who spent many years hosting mornings at rival Hot 107.9 before jumping ship in 2004 to be the afternoon guy at V-103. Given V-103’s size, Cameron was able to garner morning show money while enjoying significantly better working hours than Ski. He’s been happy where he is.
But V-103 could always slot Cameron into mornings if need be and he already regularly subs for Ski when Ski is on vacation.
In fact, Cameron’s on the morning show this week with Smith, taking over for Ski while Ski is in Napa Valley making his own wine. (Ski opened his own restaurant under his own name in Buckhead last year, too.)
Ski’s September Arbitron numbers were solid among 25 to 54 year olds, with a 10.5 rating, on par with its typical numbers and No. 1 as usual. But his younger 18-34 numbers (which are more volatile by the very nature of Arbitron’s rating system) have slipped off sharply from a 17.3 rating in January to 9.9 in September. For the first time since June, 2011, Frank & Wanda fell behind Q100’s Bert Show, coming in second.
Mark Trigg, Ski’s attorney, did not return a text, a call or an email, but I’ll update if he has any insight into the situation. It’s very likely Caffey told him not to talk to me. Trigg was pretty gabby and accessible in 2009.
So is Ski asking for more money? Probably since it’s likely he took a pay cut in 2009 when the economy was in a real dumper. He might be trying to emulate Bert Weiss, asking for syndication, though CBS Radio has a relatively modest stable of urban stations to access within its own family of stations. Ski tried syndication a few years back but it didn’t stick.
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157 comments Add your comment
Derman from Hunwoody
October 16th, 2012
11:41 am
Frank and Wanda gots to go, they don’t represent the people of this area so they don’t belong on the people’s station. I say put some educational programming in that slot like Hannity or Rush.
Steffon572
October 16th, 2012
11:41 am
wow didnt know so many people didnt like Frank Ski – I mean I know I dont like Wanda but wow Frank is being bashed in these post. Oh Well I listen to Tom Joyner lol
Monica
October 16th, 2012
11:43 am
Who cares? I don’t listen to V-103 in the morning just because of Frank Ski. He thinks that he is God.
Mr. Riley
October 16th, 2012
11:45 am
Who even still listens to radio?? Satellite and Apps are way better then the mess radio plays now. I have an app on my Iphone now (Tune In) that is sweet and you can basically tune in into station around the country for those with wide variety of music taste. No having to deal with a million commercial breaks and more of a wide variety of music…radio stations are the way of the dinosaur.
Let Him Stay
October 16th, 2012
11:46 am
I think Frank Ski is now apart of Atlanta. He does gives interesting topics and he shows things from different perspectives. However I must admit that he can be wishy washy and he jumps on bandwagons to be down with “in” crowd. But I would miss him if he left the morning show. He is kinda like a big brother to Atlantans. Its like he is familiar with everything and can keep you engage in a conversation whether he is right or wrong. I say keep him!
F-Ski SHOULDA' been gone!
October 16th, 2012
11:47 am
Ski is a PIMP! He uses V-103 to profit for himself. KICK HIM OUT!
pw
October 16th, 2012
11:48 am
I listen to Steve Harvey because Ski just works my nerves.
Sunshine
October 16th, 2012
11:49 am
Get rid of Frank and Wanda put Ryan back on in the mornings and put Crash back on traffic. Put Ramons back on mid-days and keep it going
Sonia
October 16th, 2012
11:49 am
I realize nothings stays the same… I was born in Atl and use to listen to Mike Roberts in the morning and star 94… I don’t remember them talking so much in the morning. But the music as changed as well. I can’t get with a lot of this hip hop music which has no direction for our youth but to become a rap artist or a sports player… I think nothing really stays the same… the parents and grandmothers get younger and younger. And some how something went terribly wrong when our black generation came up and moved to Decatur and the white flight left and we wanted better for our kids to work hard to do chores… now the kids run the street don’t know anything about chores. Im sure sure known of them would even think about living in dekalb county….. they have to keep the rating up what ever it takes to appeal to the community….. its either education or tennis shoes and rap music… you pick
Be Best
October 16th, 2012
11:51 am
If you get some new talent in the mornings at V-103. I stopped listening to F & W a few years ago. Got tired of Franks “I know everything about everything” and “I know everybody” attitude. Got tired of Wanda’s cackle and her ignorant comments. I was disappointed in alot of things she said. Sad for her that she thinks its cute. Frank can go Wanda can go. Kenny, is he the touch yourself guy, if so then no to him as well. Ryan is cool, I think he was best with Elle. Crash is cool but not my cup of tea he needs to stick to traffic.
V-103 get it together, rebuild.
Miss J
October 16th, 2012
11:52 am
@ Mr. Riley
With all due respect..everyone in Atlanta does not have a smart phone or access to XM radio.
Appreciate the feedback …why can’t the ordinary radio stations compete with the SAT ones…other than the limited commericials and non sendorship…you will be surprised how many folks would tune in if the programmer was of an interest to them…
Bye Bye Frankie
Hit the road Frank and don’t cha come back no MORE no MORE no More no MORE — hit road FRANK…
hold on playa
October 16th, 2012
11:54 am
I stopped listening to V-103 back in 2007 and as a 46 yo I don’t know a lot of people in my demographics who find him viable. I listen to 104.1 and 107.5 for more adult conversations, music, etc…
V-103 just does not appeal to the older generation any more or ever. 107.5 has a better syndicated line up for both morning and evening….not sure why v-103 can not create this model. Here is your chance, but chances are I still wont listen to v-103 anway.
Knew FS when he was spinning in Baltimore and he has not changed since.still a name dropper and know it all–most.
survivor73
October 16th, 2012
11:56 am
We want Ryan Cameron!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mr. Real Talk
October 16th, 2012
11:57 am
In spite of their shortcomings as radio show personalities, the Frank&Wanda Morning show is a good morning show; if you measure them by the staus quo of morning shows. The absence of Frank and subsequent later release of Wanda would not improve the morning show.
The heir apparent replacement choices would be Ryan Cameron (more clown than serious) or Mr Kenny “Touch Yourself” Burns (more glitz and less substance) and both are not going to improve the morning show in any capacity.
As far as morning shows go, Frank&Wanda are decent. Morning shows are not supposed to cater to all demograhics. Each morning show has a core audience and that core audience matures with them and becomes their stable. You are not supposed to like Frank&Wanda if you are 18-30 but as soon as you turn 35, you begin to appreciate a show like Frank&Wanda.
Lets be real, most of the people that dont like Frank are women and in radio, it is better to be disliked by women than liked by women. People with egative perception ratings tend to tune in more. I mean, do you really think women like Michael Baisden? Do you really think men like Steve Harvey?
I know Frank names drop too much (a sign of some insecurity) and talks too much and thats mostly because Wanda interupts too often, but while neither are really great radio personalities, together, both can hold down the fort.
Unless V-103 is prepared to launch an entirely NEW MORNING SHOW program, it makes no sense to not resign Frank. FRANK SKI is a brand and its a very successful one in Atlanta. Does V-103 really want such a well known brand to instantly become its primary competitor?
As popular as Ryan is and as likeable as Kenny Burns thinks he is, neither could compete head to head with the FRANK SKI BRAND.
babygirl
October 16th, 2012
11:57 am
I like Ryne!!!
BillA
October 16th, 2012
11:57 am
I’m biased being from NJ/NY metro…but Frank Ski is total garbage. Thank God for the internet so I can still listen to BLS and Hot 97 and locally WCLK.
notoski
October 16th, 2012
11:58 am
Please Please Pleaase replace know it all, name dropping, over rated and always right FRANK SKI!!!
Miss J
October 16th, 2012
12:00 pm
@hold on playa
You’re on to something here…why can’t V103:
1. Conduct a market survey to learn whagt’s hot and what’s not in radio.
2. Try a new format or programming that no one else has tried.
3. Offer more incentatives to listen (money give aways don’t hurt)
4. Put the power in the audience’s hands – let them decide what songs get played etc………..
Bottom line V103 can’t survive using the same ole same ole………
Bye Bye Frankie………
Monica
October 16th, 2012
12:00 pm
Frank Ski, please leave. I can’t tolerate you or your “celebrity” status.
Giveusabreak
October 16th, 2012
12:06 pm
After they get rid of Frank they can begin working on clearing Wanda out!!! Both get on my nerves!! I’m all for Ryan taking over the morning spot.
Tina
October 16th, 2012
12:08 pm
Time Up Frank ! Bring Porsha Foxx (or Rashaan) and Ms Sofia in…
JLM
October 16th, 2012
12:10 pm
Keep Ski! Professionally speaking, his track record speak for it self. Personally, yes he is highly opinionated at times, but who isn’t at times? Success does not come without having critics. No matter how this unfolds, Ski has God’s favor over his life. Blessings often come in disguised manners.
G-dub
October 16th, 2012
12:14 pm
All the morning shows are classless, V103, 107.9, 104.1, and 107.5. If you really want a grown folks station listen to 91.9. The morning show is very informative and very uplifting. If you are looking for profanity and jokes you might not like WCLK, but if you want great music and serious info you should check it out.
Mr. Real Talk
October 16th, 2012
12:15 pm
Do you know why you eat the same ceral at age 30 as you did when you were 12? Its because people are brand loyal, even if they dont want to be. Its easy for people to shout “we want something different”, but how many of you have actually listened to other morning shows?
By comparison, the morning show scene is not a very good one at all, lol. Other radio stations are also struggling to keep up with the changing of time, but they are sticking with the same formula for success.
Create a brand, market that brand, re-brand the BRAND and when none of that works try a new BRAND.
V-103 has tried a few new things over the pass several years and none of them have worked. Ms Sophia, Chuck Smith, various producers, adding “L” to the show, etc.
FRANK&WANDA morning show is a solid program. Is it what you like, probably not, but it depends on your age. By compariso in the Atlanta market, its a solid program for the 35 and older demographics.
Before you throw out a stable of Atlanta Radio, you have to have a solid plan ready to go-live. I doubt that V-103 has an alternative, which is why they are working on a new contract.
If they didnt want Frank, they would announce that they are not going to renew his contract and would likely give him a month on the air to wrap things up.
The best thing for Frank is being “disliked” by a lot of people because unhappy people tend to tune in the most and the talk the loudest.
If this was an article about trying to keep Frank on the air, it would not break ONE page of comments. Negativity sells and its easier to market.
Frank Ski is a very successful brand in the Atlanta market and he is more connected than any radio personality. He is not leaving until he wants to leave. I am sure he has a NO-TERMINATE clause in his contract.
After 14yrs, if he doesnt, he should….lol
Destiny
October 16th, 2012
12:15 pm
Frank is why I stopped listening to V103 all together. Please put Ryan on in the mornings and I’ll come back. Until then it’s Pandora for me!
Keeping it real
October 16th, 2012
12:16 pm
I haven’t really listened since Mike Roberts and Carol left. They were part of my daily routine. The new format and hosts just don’t do it for me. If going after the younger demographic is the goal I will likely never listen. Most of what the 18-34 group listens to isn’t music to me. It would be nice to go back showcasing old and new school traditional R&B, jazz, etc.. Hip hop is not what’s appealing to a great many of morning commuters. It’s certainly not how I want to start my day.
LegalLady
October 16th, 2012
12:18 pm
Don’t listen to V-103! The music is not my style. Keeping Frank or replacing him won’t make a difference to me. Tom Joyner and Steve Harvey rocks!
John H.
October 16th, 2012
12:20 pm
I think it’s time for a change. I’ve been a listener since way back in the 1970’s. I don’t like Frank Skis show. V-103 has always been on top, since they changed the format to urban contemporary in the late 1970’s. So it really doesn’t matter who is on the air. Frank Ski self promotion gets tired after awhile.
Just Sayin...
October 16th, 2012
12:27 pm
Ryan and Elle. And maybe just maybe I’ll go back to V103…although I LOVE the Bert Show.
Nooooooo to Ryan!
October 16th, 2012
12:29 pm
Ryan sucks—He’s a part time comedian and would not be able to fill Franks shoes!
I think everyone is in agreement Wanda is not the right fit! She’s a good person at heart but she really does not keep up with any type of real issues and constantly interrupts everyone who talks. How in the world can you give an interview with someone saying “yeah”, “that’s so good” and going on and on over the person the listeners are trying to hear? Not sure why/if this has not been mentioned to her before but really Wanda, you’re on air everyday let us hear the indviduals you bring on. I think the real issue(s) are within the radio station itself and the music Frank HAS to play. It sucks but trust if Frank and Wanda could play something different than the Birthday Song by 2Chaniz a million times a day they would. Frank is a decent guy and has built him name from the ground up which probably can not be said by many others….Keep up the good work Frank, see you later Wanda at a comedy show!
Blue Shoes
October 16th, 2012
12:30 pm
I have long gotten over Frank and Wanda. I feel they are the reason for the great divide between the Straight and Gay community. Having this great divide between the two has really hurt our Black Community. Frank hates black gay people and has no problem letting Atlanta know it, which I don’t understand when he know so many gay people in the industry. I am so ready for him and Wanda to move on. Enough is enough. Give him his walking papers.
Peachy
October 16th, 2012
12:31 pm
People still listen to the radio? How quaint.
Just Curious
October 16th, 2012
12:32 pm
Whatever happened to Mike Roberts anyway? Carol Blackmon is occasionally seen during the lottery drawing. They were the team that initially drew me to V-103, but when they left I stopped listening. I have never liked Frank Ski and have simply chosen not to listen to him.
Mr. Real Talk
October 16th, 2012
12:32 pm
You are the Program Director of V-103 and you have just secured a 9am interview with President Obama. He has agreed to give you 15 minutes of air time.
Now, as you look down your list of Radio Personalities….which one do you want to conduct, moderate and manage an interview with the President of the United States?
Ryan Cameron
Wanda Smith
Crash D
Greg Street
Kenny Burns
Osay the Dark Secret
Lil Bankhead
or
FRANK SKI………………
Frank is the only real radio personality with any substance that V-103 has. Most of the others are either comedians, want to be comedians, comic relief, overly seductive and sexual or just too young to cater to a mature audience.
The 6-10am demographic are people that are going to work. They are mothers taking their kids to school. Men and women stuck in traffic trying to get to their 9-5. The 18-25 demographic are probably sleep from coming in at 2am the night before, lol.
V-103 is not stupid, they know how much power and respect Frank gets in the Atlanta market and they are not going to make him their number 1 competitor.
d
October 16th, 2012
12:34 pm
I stopped listening to V-103 when Mike Roberts left. Wanda doing the ghetto baby names then was a hot mess so once she went full time with Frank Ski I know I would not be listening. Frank and Wanda both are horrible. I guess kids don’t care what they listen to as long as they are playing hip hop music. I’ve tried to listen to them on a couple of occasions but I just couldn’t stomach it and had to switch stations. Listen to Atlanta and get rid of Frank and Wanda
BigB
October 16th, 2012
12:36 pm
Time for change V103….Ryan C, Elle Duncan and lovvvvve Crash….this would be a great team. Rating would go through the ROOOOF
Time for the New
October 16th, 2012
12:38 pm
I’m not for anyone losing their job, so move Ryan to the mornings with Wanda and Frank to Ryan’s slot. Ryan is a much better host than Frank-Ski.
Cutty
October 16th, 2012
12:39 pm
Stopped listening to F&W when they brought the he/she on the air. Who wants to listen to that with their kids in the car. I’m mean, seriously V103? Someone should’ve been fired for that. Been listening to Steve Harvey for a couple years now, and even tho I get tired of him every now and again, he’s light years ahead of “I know Puffy” Frank. Ryan is the man. Bring him back to mornings, or I’ll just keep listening to the Strawberry Letter every morning.
Ven
October 16th, 2012
12:40 pm
When I lived in ATL many years ago, Frank Ski was beyond irritating then and for the same reasons mentioned: Know-it-all (what’s worse is he actually doesn’t know much and makes horrible arguments) and self-centered. Case in point, when Aaliyah died, Frank spent almost 10 mins talking about how EVERYONE in the WORLD called HIM first – specifically on his ‘2-way pager’ – that’s when they were new technology. He said ‘my 2-way pager’ – no kidding – about 20 times. I think he said her name twice.
Peter
October 16th, 2012
12:41 pm
I don’t listen to Frank and Wanda because of Wanda. She’s not funny, she’s loud, and just seems to have no sense of class. I’m not really a fan of Frank himself, some of it is what he says, but I think most of it stems from when I would hear him “DJ” (a term I apply VERY loosely) on Saturday nights. He was turrible.
Change is good
October 16th, 2012
12:42 pm
Time for change V103….Ryan C, Elle Duncan and lovvvvve Crash….this would be a great team. Ratings would go through the ROOOOF
CheerMom
October 16th, 2012
12:43 pm
I hate Frank and Wanda to darn ghetto and hood. I listen to the Bert Morning Show. Its so much better. Frank needs to go and maybe I will come back to V-103.
Be gone
October 16th, 2012
12:44 pm
I stopped listening to V103 in the mornings years ago. Never liked Frank (the know it all) or Wanda (just too loud). They tried Ms Sophia and Elle with no success. I am just not in their demographics for their morning show. If its about maturing with your audience Frank should have did that years ago….You can’t play all this hip hop and have an inspirational vitamin..really??? My choice would be Ryan and Crash D..love when he covers the morning show. Sometimes you just wanna laugh in the morning to get your day going. It doesn’t have to be serious all the time!!!
JZ
October 16th, 2012
12:45 pm
Ryan Cameron Was brought in to replace FRANK SKI anyway. Now is the time to do it. Who listens to Frank Ski anyway? He is 137 years old.
TB
October 16th, 2012
12:46 pm
Being from the Baltimore area and now having listened to Frank Ski for most of my life, I can do with him. I look at his service to the community separately from his time on the radio. The bragging, the preaching, the mispronunciations that drive me absolutely crazy…I haven’t listed to Frank & Wanda in a while, because if none of the other stations have on anything I want to hear, I’l switch to an AM sports station before I subject myself to whatever Frank & Wanda have going on. What station would he move to? What morning show would he take over? Steve Harvey? Tom Joiner? Rickey Smiley? I doubt it. There are a lot of new stations popping up in Atlanta, but they aren’t his format or his audience. I’d be glad to see him go…with that same old, tired house music he keeps playing, as if there hasn’t been any new house music in Baltimore since 1998 when he took over the morning show. It’ time for something new – for him and V103.
Light
October 16th, 2012
12:47 pm
I think it’s time for a change at V-103. Frank and Wanda are alright. Sometimes there topics are on point and the show is enjoyable but I echo some comments above regarding arrogance and class. I’ve always liked Ryan Cameron and have begun to really like Kenny Burns, so I think either of those would be good alternatives for the morning show, are well connected, and would switch it up a bit during the morning drive. Frank has a lot of other things going on and he has the name recognition, so I believe he would be fine. Also think he needs to get back to the house music scene. Personally, I switch in the mornings between Steve Harvey, Rickey Smiley, Tom Joyner, Frank Ski and Bert Weiss, or don’t turn the radio on at all. I don’t necessarily have a favorite.
ATL4LIFE
October 16th, 2012
12:48 pm
I really enjoy listening to Frank Ski, and I hope that he signs a new contract. However, Wanda Smith time has come and passed. It is time for V103 to cut ties with her IMO. She was cool when she joined the station; but now, I’m just not feeling her anymore. It’s like she do not have her own identity. Everything she does “radio characteristic wise”, she got from Frank Ski. Again…NO IDENTITY! Not taking anything away from what she is doing in her career or whatever; but being a radio personality in Atlanta is something she should pass the torch on.
IJS
V 103 listener
October 16th, 2012
12:51 pm
I honestly have no negative feelings towards Frank Ski. I do however, like the combonation of Ryan and Crash Clark in the afternoon. They are a good balance in my opinion. Maybe switch Ryan and Crash to the morning and put Wanda and Frank in the afternoon. Just a suggestion.
Anthony
October 16th, 2012
12:59 pm
Let him go. He uses kids and everyone else to get what he wants and then drop them as if they never existed. Get rid of him as he has done to several that depended on him. He thinks he is some big celebrity. He needs a reality check and this will surely give it to him. I think the people has spoken. They are tired of Frank Ski. I definitely am!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Let Ryan have the A.M slot, and teach Wanda how to appreciate fan loyalty
October 16th, 2012
12:59 pm
I stopped listening to Frank and Wanda about 3 years ago, Frank is a know it all. Earlier this year V 103 did a live promo at Six Flags in which my wife won tickets from V103. My wife was a loyal follower of the show obviously. Granted it was hot and muggy, however upon approaching Wanda at the event Wanda showed how much she cared about my wife loyalty, by absolutely acting like my wife and the kids had the black plague, and barely throwing her hand up as to say please go away! Good riddance for Wanda, and since Frank Ski knows so many people in his network, he’ll land somewhere, trust me. I’m waiting for Ryan to come back to the A.M.