The Financial Times has announced the senior‑level roster for its upcoming Business of Entertainment Summit, set to take place in Los Angeles this September. Among the notable additions are representatives from the video‑game sector, specifically EA and Tencent Games, who will share the stage with high‑profile leaders from traditional media powerhouses such as Netflix, Sony Pictures, NBCUniversal and the parent company of UFC and WWE, TKO Group. GamesIndustry.biz serves as a promotional partner for the gathering, working in tandem with its parent organization, IGNE Entertainment, to bring the event to a wider audience.
The summit is billed as a deep dive into the "forces reshaping entertainment," gathering visionaries from across the broader entertainment ecosystem to explore a range of timely topics. Attendees will examine the evolving landscape of media dealmaking, the intricate web of franchise ecosystems, the growing global cultural influence of entertainment brands, the resurgence of live‑event experiences, the emerging role of artificial intelligence in crafting fan‑centric experiences, and the future pathways for monetising content in an increasingly fragmented market. One of the highlighted panels will feature David Tinson, who leads the Chief Experiences Office at Electronic Arts (EA). Tinson will sit alongside executives from Universal Entertainment and the narrative‑driven production company Madison Wells to discuss cross‑medium entertainment strategies—how stories and experiences can flow seamlessly between games, film, television and emerging interactive formats.
In a separate session, Tian Xiao, Head of North American Partnerships for Tencent Games, will address the rapid ascent of Asian cultural exports on a global stage, offering insights into how Chinese and broader Asian gaming IPs are gaining traction worldwide and influencing entertainment trends beyond their traditional markets. The summit’s keynote lineup is equally impressive. Bela Bajaria, Chief Content Officer at Netflix, will share the streaming giant’s perspective on content creation, distribution and the challenges of maintaining a global subscriber base in a competitive environment. Mark Shapiro, President and Chief Operating Officer of TKO Group, will discuss the synergies between live sports, combat entertainment and digital media, and how these sectors can collaborate to capture new audiences.
Ravi Ahuja, Chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures, will provide a perspective on the studio’s approach to integrating cinematic storytelling with interactive media, while David Lee, Chief Financial Officer of Webtoon, will explore the monetisation of digital comics and the potential for cross‑platform storytelling. Additional speakers include senior leaders from Amazon Prime Video, the Los Angeles Dodgers, Disney, and Regal Global Entertainment, each bringing their own unique viewpoint on how the entertainment industry is evolving in response to consumer demand, technology advances, and shifting cultural narratives.
Beyond the formal sessions, the event will also serve as a networking hub for a diverse group of industry participants. Executives from companies such as EA, Pokémon, Apple, Netflix, Sony Pictures and Paramount will be present, alongside talent‑agency representatives from leading firms like Creative Artists Agency (CAA), United Talent Agency (UTA) and Verve Talent & Literary Agency.
This mix of gaming, film, television, sports, and talent‑representation professionals is designed to foster cross‑industry collaborations and spark new ideas that could shape the future of entertainment. Tickets for the Business of Entertainment Summit are now on sale, with options for both virtual participation and in‑person attendance at the West Hollywood venue.
GamesIndustry.biz readers are eligible for a special 20% discount on the registration fee. To claim the discount, readers can either apply the promotional code GIB20 at checkout or follow the dedicated discount link provided by GamesIndustry.biz. This reduced price aims to make the summit more accessible to a broader segment of the entertainment community, encouraging a richer exchange of perspectives among emerging and established leaders alike. Overall, the FT Business of Entertainment Summit promises to be a pivotal gathering for anyone interested in the convergence of gaming, streaming, live events, and emerging technologies.
By bringing together executives from both the interactive and linear media worlds, the summit will highlight the synergies and challenges that define today’s entertainment landscape, offering attendees actionable insights and strategic foresight for navigating the next wave of industry transformation.