The Financial Times has announced the roster of senior‑level speakers for its upcoming Business of Entertainment Summit, set to take place in Los Angeles this September. Among the most notable additions are representatives from two of the world’s biggest game‑making powerhouses – Electronic Arts (EA) and Tencent Games – who will share the stage with a line‑up that already features high‑profile leaders from traditional media giants such as Netflix, Sony Pictures, NBCUniversal and the parent company of UFC and WWE, TKO Group.
GamesIndustry.biz is serving 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," and it aims to convene decision‑makers from every corner of the entertainment ecosystem. Topics on the agenda include the evolving landscape of media dealmaking, the intricacies of franchise ecosystems, the expanding global cultural influence of entertainment brands, the future of live‑event experiences, the role of artificial intelligence in crafting personalized fan interactions, and new models for monetising content in a rapidly changing market. One of the key panels will feature David Tinson, EA’s Chief Experience Officer, who will discuss cross‑medium storytelling alongside executives from Universal Entertainment and narrative‑driven production studio Madison Wells.
Tinson is expected to share insights on how video games are increasingly intersecting with film, television, and immersive experiences, creating integrated entertainment journeys that keep audiences engaged across multiple platforms. Another highlight will be a conversation led by Tian Xiao, Head of North American Partnerships at Tencent Games.
Xiao will explore the surge of Asian cultural exports on the global stage, examining how Chinese and broader Asian gaming IPs are breaking into Western markets and influencing worldwide pop culture. The summit’s keynote roster is equally impressive. Bela Bajaria, Chief Content Officer at Netflix, will open the event with a perspective on how streaming services are redefining content creation and distribution.
Mark Shapiro, President and COO of TKO Group, will discuss the convergence of sports, combat entertainment, and digital media. Ravi Ahuja, Chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures, will provide a view on the future of film and television production in an era of streaming dominance, while David Lee, CFO of Webtoon, will talk about the monetisation of digital comics and the synergies between web‑based storytelling and other entertainment formats.
Additional speakers include senior figures from Amazon Prime Video, the Los Angeles Dodgers, Disney, and Regal Global Entertainment, ensuring that the conversation spans sports, theme parks, gaming, and traditional film and television. Executives representing a host of other influential brands – from EA and Pokémon to Apple, Netflix, Sony Pictures and Paramount – will also be in attendance. Talent‑agency representatives from CAA, United Talent Agency and Verve Talent & Literary Agency will be on hand, underscoring the importance of talent management and representation in the evolving entertainment economy.
Tickets for the 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 when they use the promo code GIB20 at checkout or follow the dedicated discount link provided by the site. This discount is designed to encourage more industry professionals, especially those focused on gaming, to join the broader conversation about how games intersect with film, television, live events, and emerging technologies. Beyond the formal sessions, the summit will feature networking opportunities, round‑table discussions, and exhibition spaces where companies can showcase new products, services, and creative concepts.
Attendees will have the chance to engage directly with peers from across the entertainment spectrum, fostering collaborations that could lead to joint ventures, co‑productions, or innovative licensing agreements. In summary, the FT Business of Entertainment Summit promises to be a comprehensive forum for examining the shifting dynamics of a sector that is increasingly interconnected. By bringing together leaders from gaming, streaming, traditional studios, sports entertainment, and talent representation, the event aims to illuminate the pathways through which content creators can adapt to new consumer habits, leverage technological advances like AI, and unlock fresh revenue streams.
For anyone involved in shaping the future of entertainment—whether through game development, film production, live‑event planning, or digital distribution—the summit offers a unique platform to gain insight, share expertise, and forge the partnerships that will define the next decade of the industry.