The Financial Times has announced the roster of senior executives who will appear at its upcoming Business of Entertainment Summit, scheduled to take place in Los Angeles this September. Among the most notable additions are representatives from the video‑game powerhouses Electronic Arts (EA) and Tencent Games, who will share the stage with a distinguished lineup of leaders from traditional media and entertainment companies such as Netflix, Sony Pictures, NBCUniversal, and the parent organization of UFC and WWE, TKO Group.
GamesIndustry.biz serves as a promotional partner for the summit, working in concert with its parent company IGNE Entertainment to bring the event to a wider audience. The summit is designed to explore the "forces reshaping entertainment," gathering visionaries from every corner of the industry to examine how the landscape is evolving.
Topics on the agenda include the mechanics of media dealmaking in a fragmented market, the construction and management of franchise ecosystems that span games, film, television and live experiences, the growing global cultural impact of entertainment products, the role of live events in fan engagement, the possibilities offered by artificial intelligence for creating richer fan experiences, and the future pathways for monetising content across platforms. One of the featured panels will spotlight David Tinson, who heads the Chief Experiences Office at EA.
Tinson will sit alongside senior figures from Universal Entertainment and narrative‑driven studio Madison Wells to discuss how entertainment can flow seamlessly across mediums—from interactive gaming to streaming series and immersive live shows. Their conversation is expected to delve into best practices for building cohesive brand experiences that keep audiences invested regardless of the format they consume. Another highlight will be a session led by Tian Xiao, the Head of North American Partnerships for Tencent Games. Xiao will address a panel focused on the worldwide surge of Asian cultural exports, examining how Chinese and broader Asian creators are influencing global tastes, the strategies that have propelled titles like "Honor of Kings" and "PUBG Mobile" onto the international stage, and what this momentum means for Western publishers seeking to collaborate or compete in these markets.
Keynote addresses will feature some of the most influential voices in contemporary entertainment. Bela Bajaria, Chief Content Officer at Netflix, will outline the streaming giant’s vision for original storytelling and its approach to global distribution. Mark Shapiro, President and COO of TKO Group, will discuss the convergence of sports, combat entertainment, and digital media under a unified brand strategy.
Ravi Ahuja, Chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures, will share insights on the studio’s film and television pipelines, while David Lee, CFO of Webtoon, will provide a financial perspective on the rapid growth of digital comics and their integration into broader media ecosystems. In addition to the keynote speakers, the program includes a diverse array of participants from Amazon Prime Video, the Los Angeles Dodgers, Disney, Regal Global Entertainment, and other leading firms. Executives representing EA, Pokémon, Apple, Netflix, Sony Pictures, Paramount, and many more will be present, creating ample networking opportunities for attendees.
Talent agencies will also be well represented. Representatives from Creative Artists Agency (CAA), United Talent Agency (UTA), and Verve Talent & Literary Agency will attend, underscoring the importance of talent management and representation in shaping the next wave of entertainment projects. The summit offers both virtual and in‑person attendance options, allowing participants to choose the format that best suits their needs. For readers of GamesIndustry.biz, a special 20 percent discount is available through the promotional code GIB20, or by following the dedicated discount link provided in the event’s registration portal.
This reduced rate is intended to encourage industry professionals, especially those working within the gaming sector, to take part in the broader conversation about how entertainment is being reimagined across mediums. Overall, the Business of Entertainment Summit promises to be a comprehensive forum where leaders from gaming, film, television, sports, and live performance can exchange ideas, forge partnerships, and chart a collective path forward in an era defined by rapid technological change and shifting consumer expectations. Whether you are a studio executive, a game developer, a content creator, or a talent agent, the event offers a unique platform to gain insight into the strategic decisions that will shape the next decade of global entertainment.