The Financial Times has announced the senior‑level roster for its forthcoming Business of Entertainment Summit, set to take place in Los Angeles this September. Among the most notable additions are representatives from the video‑game world—David Tinson, President and Chief Operating Officer of Electronic Arts (EA), and Tian Xiao, Head of North American Partnerships at Tencent Games. They 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 summit, working alongside its parent organization, IGNE Entertainment, to bring the event to a wider audience.
The summit’s central theme is "the forces reshaping entertainment," a broad umbrella that captures the rapid convergence of film, television, gaming, live events, and emerging technologies. Attendees will explore a range of subjects that sit at the intersection of creative storytelling and commercial strategy.
Topics on the agenda include the evolving landscape of media dealmaking, the construction and maintenance of franchise ecosystems, the growing global cultural influence of entertainment brands, the future of live‑event experiences, the role of artificial intelligence in enhancing fan interaction, and new models for monetising content in an increasingly fragmented marketplace. David Tinson will sit on a panel devoted to cross‑medium entertainment, where he will discuss how EA is leveraging its deep‑rooted expertise in interactive experiences to collaborate with partners in film, television, and other media. The discussion will also feature executives from Universal Entertainment and narrative‑driven production company Madison Wells, highlighting how studios are experimenting with transmedia storytelling that blurs the lines between games and traditional screen content.
Tinson’s insights are expected to illustrate how data‑driven game design, live‑service models, and community‑centric approaches can inform broader entertainment strategies. Tian Xiao will contribute to a separate session that examines the surge of Asian cultural exports on the world stage. As the head of North American partnerships for Tencent Games, Xiao is uniquely positioned to speak about the company’s aggressive expansion into Western markets, the localization of popular titles, and the strategic alliances that have helped Chinese IPs gain footholds in regions traditionally dominated by Western studios. The panel will delve into the ways Asian creators are shaping global tastes, from mobile‑first game design to narrative formats that resonate across cultural boundaries.
Keynote speakers for the summit include Bela Bajaria, Chief Content Officer at Netflix, who will likely share the streaming giant’s vision for integrating interactive content and original programming into its global catalogue. Mark Shapiro, President and COO of TKO Group, will address the synergies between live sports, combat entertainment, and digital distribution.
Ravi Ahuja, Chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures, is expected to discuss the studio’s approach to franchise development and its investments in emerging technologies such as virtual production. David Lee, CFO of Webtoon, will provide a financial perspective on the booming market for digital comics and how those properties can be adapted into multi‑platform experiences.
Additional speakers will represent a diverse cross‑section of the entertainment ecosystem, including senior figures from Amazon Prime Video, the Los Angeles Dodgers, Disney, and Regal Global Entertainment. Executives from companies such as EA, The Pokémon Company, Apple, Netflix, Sony Pictures, and Paramount will also be on hand, offering a panoramic view of how different sectors are collaborating to create seamless consumer experiences. The summit will also attract representatives from leading talent agencies, including Creative Artists Agency (CAA), United Talent Agency (UTA), and Verve Talent & Literary Agency. Their presence underscores the importance of talent management and representation in an era where creators are expected to navigate a multitude of platforms and formats.
Tickets for the event are now on sale, with options for both virtual participation and in‑person attendance at the West Hollywood venue. GamesIndustry.biz readers enjoy a special 20 % discount when they apply the promotional code GIB20 at checkout or follow the dedicated discount link provided by the publication. This incentive is designed to encourage industry professionals and enthusiasts alike to engage with the summit’s forward‑looking conversations and network with peers from across the global entertainment landscape. Overall, the Business of Entertainment Summit promises to be a pivotal gathering for anyone interested in the future of media, gaming, and live experiences.
By bringing together executives from both legacy media companies and cutting‑edge game developers, the event aims to foster dialogue that will shape the next wave of entertainment innovation, from storytelling techniques to monetisation strategies, and from cultural influence to technological disruption.