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 highlighted participants are two heavyweight representatives from the video‑games sector—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 a distinguished line‑up of 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 organization IGNE Entertainment, serves as a promotional partner for the gathering. The summit is billed as a deep‑dive into the "forces reshaping entertainment," and it aims to bring together visionaries from every corner of the industry’s ecosystem. Topics on the agenda span a wide spectrum: 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 promise and challenges of artificial intelligence in crafting fan‑centric interactions, and the future pathways for monetising content across platforms. David Tinson will sit on a panel dedicated to cross‑medium entertainment, where he will be joined by senior figures from Universal Entertainment and narrative‑driven production house Madison Wells.
The discussion is expected to explore how video‑game IPs can be leveraged across film, television, streaming, and emerging interactive formats, and how studios can collaborate to create seamless storytelling experiences that move fluidly between screens. Tian Xiao, meanwhile, will contribute to a session focused on the worldwide surge of Asian cultural exports.
His perspective will shed light on how Tencent Games, as a leading Chinese publisher, is navigating partnerships in North America, adapting content for diverse audiences, and helping to propel Asian‑origin franchises into the global mainstream. Keynote addresses will feature some of the most influential names in entertainment.
Bela Bajaria, Chief Content Officer at Netflix, will outline the streaming giant’s strategy for original programming and its role in shaping viewing habits worldwide. Mark Shapiro, President and COO of TKO Group, will discuss the integration of sports, combat entertainment, and live events under a unified brand strategy. Ravi Ahuja, Chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures, will share insights on the studio’s approach to blockbuster development, franchise stewardship, and the synergy between cinematic releases and ancillary media. Additionally, David Lee, CFO of Webtoon, will provide a financial perspective on the burgeoning digital comics market and its intersection with gaming and animation.
Beyond the headline speakers, the summit will host a broad array of participants from Amazon Prime Video, the Los Angeles Dodgers, Disney, Regal Global Entertainment, and many other notable entities. Representatives from talent agencies such as Creative Artists Agency (CAA), United Talent Agency (UTA) and Verve Talent & Literary Agency will also be present, underscoring the importance of talent management and representation in the evolving entertainment landscape. The event offers both virtual and in‑person attendance options, catering to a global audience of industry professionals, investors, and creators. For readers of GamesIndustry.biz, a special promotional code—GIB20—provides a 20 percent discount on ticket purchases.
The discount can be applied directly at checkout or by following the dedicated link supplied in the announcement. Attendees can anticipate a rich program that not only examines current trends but also looks ahead to the next decade of entertainment innovation. Sessions will delve into how AI can personalize fan experiences, from dynamic storylines that adapt to viewer choices to predictive analytics that inform content development. Discussions on franchise ecosystems will explore the lifecycle of intellectual property—from initial game concepts to film adaptations, merchandise, live shows, and beyond—highlighting the collaborative opportunities that arise when game studios, studios, and streaming platforms align their strategies.
Furthermore, the summit will address the cultural impact of entertainment on a global scale. Speakers will examine how Asian games and media are gaining traction in Western markets, the role of localization in preserving narrative integrity, and the business models that support cross‑border distribution. The presence of Tencent Games’ North American partnership lead underscores the significance of these conversations. In addition to formal panels, the summit will provide networking opportunities, allowing executives, creators, and agency representatives to forge new partnerships and explore joint ventures.
The inclusion of sports franchises like the LA Dodgers signals a recognition that live sports and esports are converging, offering fresh avenues for fan engagement and revenue generation. Overall, the FT Business of Entertainment Summit promises to be a pivotal forum for dissecting the transformative forces at work across media, gaming, sports, and live entertainment. By gathering leaders from both legacy media institutions and the fast‑growing gaming sector, the event aims to map out a collaborative future where content flows seamlessly across formats, technologies, and cultural boundaries.