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 two of the world’s largest video‑game publishers, Electronic Arts (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, together with its parent company IGNE Entertainment, is serving as a promotional partner for the event, helping to bring the gaming community into the broader conversation about the future of entertainment. The summit is designed to explore the "forces reshaping entertainment," a theme that reflects the rapid convergence of film, television, gaming, live events, and emerging technologies.
By gathering decision‑makers from across the entire entertainment ecosystem, the conference aims to surface insights on a wide range of topics: the evolving landscape of media dealmaking, the construction and management of franchise ecosystems, the expanding global cultural influence of entertainment brands, the role of live experiences in a digital‑first world, the potential of artificial intelligence to personalize fan interaction, and the next generation of content monetisation strategies. Attendees can expect in‑depth panels, keynote addresses, and networking sessions that will illuminate how creators, distributors, and technology providers are collaborating to meet the expectations of increasingly sophisticated audiences. One of the marquee panels will feature David Tinson, President and Chief Operating Officer of Electronic Arts. Tinson will sit alongside executives from Universal Entertainment and Madison Wells, a narrative‑production firm known for its work on immersive storytelling projects.
The discussion will focus on cross‑medium entertainment, examining how game studios can leverage their IPs across movies, television series, and interactive experiences to build richer, more profitable franchise ecosystems. Tinson is expected to share EA’s recent initiatives that blend gameplay with cinematic storytelling, such as the integration of live‑action elements into popular titles and the development of original content that expands existing game worlds. Another highlight will be a session led by Tian Xiao, Head of North American Partnerships at Tencent Games.
Xiao will speak on a panel dedicated to the global rise of Asian cultural exports, a trend that has accelerated dramatically over the past decade as Chinese, Korean, and Japanese creators capture the imagination of audiences worldwide. The conversation will explore how Tencent’s expansive portfolio of mobile and PC games is being adapted for Western markets, the strategic partnerships that enable cross‑regional distribution, and the cultural nuances that must be navigated when translating Asian entertainment concepts for a global audience. The summit’s keynote lineup includes some of the most influential voices in streaming and media.
Bela Bajaria, Chief Content Officer at Netflix, will deliver a keynote that likely delves into the streaming giant’s approach to original content creation, data‑driven programming decisions, and the ways Netflix is experimenting with interactive storytelling formats that blur the line between gaming and traditional video. Mark Shapiro, President and COO of TKO Group, will discuss the synergies between sports entertainment, live events, and digital media, highlighting how the organization is leveraging its fight‑sport properties to create new revenue streams and fan‑engagement models. Ravi Ahuja, Chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures, will share insights on the studio’s strategies for integrating gaming IPs into film and television projects, while David Lee, CFO of Webtoon, will talk about the monetisation of digital comics and the potential for these narratives to serve as source material for both games and screen adaptations. In addition to the keynotes, the program features a diverse array of speakers from Amazon Prime Video, the Los Angeles Dodgers, Disney, Regal Global Entertainment, and other industry leaders.
Executives from companies such as EA, Pokémon, Apple, Netflix, Sony Pictures and Paramount will be present, providing a comprehensive view of how each sector is adapting to the shifting entertainment landscape. Representatives from major talent agencies—including Creative Artists Agency (CAA), United Talent Agency (UTA) and Verve Talent & Literary Agency—will also attend, underscoring the importance of talent representation in negotiating the new deals that span multiple media formats. The summit offers both digital and in‑person attendance options, allowing participants to choose the format that best fits their schedule and preferences.
For readers of GamesIndustry.biz, a special discount of 20% is available when registering with the code GIB20 or by following the dedicated discount link provided in the promotional material. This reduced rate is intended to encourage more members of the gaming community to engage with the broader entertainment dialogue and to foster cross‑industry collaboration.
Overall, the Business of Entertainment Summit promises to be a pivotal gathering for anyone interested in the intersection of gaming, film, television, live events, and emerging tech. By bringing together senior leaders from both traditional media conglomerates and leading game publishers, the event will highlight the collaborative opportunities that are reshaping how stories are told, distributed, and monetised in the 21st century. Whether you are a content creator, a media executive, a technology innovator, or a passionate fan, the summit offers a unique platform to learn from the pioneers who are defining the future of entertainment.