News Briefs

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Monday, Feb. 17, 2014

Kickstarter says hackers got customer data

LOS ANGELES (AP) --

Online fundraising site Kickstarter says hackers got some of its customer data.

Kickstarter co-founder Yancey Strickler said in a blog post that hackers accessed usernames, email addresses, phone numbers and passwords. The passwords are encrypted, but the company said it's possible for a hacker to guess a weak or obvious password. It recommended that users change their passwords.

Hackers did not get credit card information, said New York-based Kickstarter, but two accounts saw unauthorized activity.

Kickstarter is one of dozens of crowdfunding websites that let people raise money from donors for projects. Kickstarter campaigns have included Zach Braff and Spike Lee movies, a local brewery, arts projects and business startups.

The breach was disclosed Saturday on the Kickstarter blog. The company said it learned about the breach from law enforcement on Wednesday and closed it immediately More

Sunday, Feb. 16, 2014

John Henson, son of Muppets creator, dies in NY

SAUGERTIES, N.Y. (AP) --

Puppeteer John Henson, the son of the late Muppets creator Jim Henson, has died in New York. He was 48.

Cheryl Henson says her brother died of a "massive heart attack" at his home in Saugerties on Friday. She says it happened after he had been building an igloo in the snow with his daughter.

Henson followed in his famous father's footsteps as a puppeteer, performing as Sweetums the ogre in several films, including "Muppet Treasure Island" and "It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie."

Cheryl said her brother also made appearances in the original Coca-Cola Polar Bear suit. She described him as an "artist who also loved working the land."

Henson was a shareholder and board member of The Jim Henson Company.

Henson leaves behind his wife Gyongyi and two daughters, ages 10 and 15. A private funeral service is planned.

Thursday, Feb. 13, 2014

Online content influences China's traditional TV

By Louise Watt

BEIJING (AP) --

A popular online show about a young Chinese couple's trips to the far corners of the world is set to be broadcast on the country's main television network, highlighting how popular online content is influencing China's highly regulated mainstream media.

"On the Road," by the Youku site's entertainment unit, is to air during a prime-time evening slot next month on state broadcaster China Central Television's flagship channel, CCTV-1.

The surging popularity of online content, particularly among 20-somethings who consume entertainment on their mobiles and tablets, is luring viewers away from state TV, which the Chinese government sees as a tool to mold public opinion. Privately owned video sites are seeing advertising revenue grow as well as the number of people who are paying to watch premium content, even if this number is still relatively small.

The first season of "On the Road," which saw the More

Thursday, Feb. 13, 2014

Jeffrey A. Greenbaum Elected GALA Global President

NEW YORK --

Jeffrey A. Greenbaum, managing director of Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz, has been elected the next global president of the Global Advertising Lawyers Alliance (GALA).

A collection of leading advertising lawyers and firms from around the world, GALA provides resources to individuals and corporations interested in finding solutions to problems involving complex legal issues affecting advertisers and marketers. Greenbaum will replace outgoing GALA head Douglas Wood, who led the organization since its inception 12 years ago.

“I am very honored to be assuming the role of GALA global president,” Greenbaum said. “I want to thank Doug Wood for his leadership over the past dozen years and the members who have put their confidence in me as GALA’s new leader. GALA is a tremendous organization. It has been a terrific resource for advertisers and marketers worldwide and I look forward to helping carry on its tradition of excellence over the next More

Thursday, Feb. 13, 2014

Netflix comes to the rescue of 'Clone Wars'

By Michael Liedtke, Technology Writer

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) --

Netflix's Internet video service is coming to the rescue of "Star Wars" fans left in limbo by the abrupt cancellation of "The Clone Wars," an animated television series that embellishes the lore of the Jedi Order and Sith Lords.

The sixth and final season of "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" will be shown exclusively to Netflix subscribers in the U.S. and Canada beginning March 7 as part of a licensing deal announced Thursday. Financial terms weren't disclosed.

The Los Gatos, Calif., company has already pledged to spend about $3 billion this year on licensing video as it tries to expand its audience of 48 million worldwide subscribers.

A significant chunk of that money is being earmarked for video that can only be seen on Netflix. One of the company's most popular exclusives, the Emmy-award winning political drama "House of Cards," returns for its second season on Friday.

The resurrection of " More

Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2014

Lady Gaga shoots video at Hearst Castle

SAN SIMEON, Calif. (AP) --

Tourists are giving way to dancers as a production crew takes over Hearst Castle on the California coast, where Lady Gaga is shooting a big-budget music video.

The San Luis Obispo Tribune says filming is taking place this week at the indoor blue-and-gold tiled Roman Pool and the outdoor Neptune Pool.

The pop diva had yet to be seen as crewmembers carried in bags full of fake flowers and a giant plaster seashell Tuesday.

Shoots at the state historical site are extremely rare. Gaga is donating $250,000 to the Hearst Castle foundation in addition to underwriting a $25,000 water supply study and paying special fees.

She will also make a water conservation public service announcement and a short feature on the castle built by newspaper publisher William Randolph Hearst.