WBEZ starts mapping how to spend new grant dollars; Michel Ballard hired to head digital

Chicago Public Media’s WBEZ got attention last month when it received a matching-donation pledge of $2-million dollars from the Pritzker Foundation. The intent of the gift is to help the station to double its existing digital staff, update its infrastructure, and produce new shows. A new Chief Digital Officer has just joined the station. Continue Reading

Rumor Fact(ory): Apple reportedly lacks labels deals ahead of Beats launch

The music industry has been waiting for Apple to unveil its new vision for Beats Music, and the streaming service’s debut is expected to happen during the company’s Worldwide Developers Conference next month. However, Billboard has reported that Apple allegedly may not have any of the licensing deals with major labels that are necessary for the service to meet that launch date. Continue Reading