The Financial Times has announced the senior‑level roster for its upcoming Business of Entertainment Summit, scheduled to take place in Los Angeles this September. Among the most notable additions are representatives from the gaming world – David Tinson, President and Chief Operating Officer of Electronic Arts (EA), and Tian Xiao, Head of North American Partnerships at Tencent Games – who will share the stage with high‑profile leaders from traditional linear 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 event, working in concert with its parent organization, IGNE Entertainment, to bring the gathering to a broader audience. The summit is framed around the theme “forces reshaping entertainment,” and it is designed to convene top executives from every corner of the entertainment ecosystem.
Attendees will explore a wide array of subjects that are redefining how content is created, distributed, and monetized in the modern era. Topics on the agenda include the evolving landscape of media dealmaking, the construction and management of franchise ecosystems, the growing global cultural impact of entertainment brands, the resurgence of live‑event experiences, the emerging role of artificial intelligence in enhancing fan interaction, and the future pathways for content monetisation across multiple platforms. David Tinson will sit on a panel that examines cross‑medium entertainment strategies.
This discussion will bring together senior figures from Universal Entertainment and the narrative‑driven production company Madison Wells, offering a deep dive into how stories can migrate fluidly between video games, film, television, and emerging digital formats. Tian Xiao, meanwhile, will contribute to a separate session focused on the worldwide surge of Asian cultural exports, highlighting how games, music, and visual media from the region are gaining traction in markets traditionally dominated by Western content. The summit’s keynote lineup features some of the most influential voices in the industry.
Bela Bajaria, Chief Content Officer at Netflix, will share insights on the streaming giant’s content strategy and its impact on global viewing habits. Mark Shapiro, President and COO of TKO Group, will discuss the convergence of sports, entertainment, and live‑event production under a single corporate umbrella. Ravi Ahuja, Chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures, will outline the studio’s approach to integrating cinematic storytelling with interactive experiences. Additionally, David Lee, Chief Financial Officer of Webtoon, will provide perspective on the monetisation of digital comics and the broader implications for creator‑driven platforms.
Beyond the keynote speakers, the program includes a diverse set of panelists and contributors from Amazon Prime Video, the Los Angeles Dodgers, Disney, Regal Global Entertainment, and other major players. Executives representing EA, Pokémon, Apple, Netflix, Sony Pictures and Paramount will be on hand, alongside talent‑agency representatives from Creative Artists Agency (CAA), United Talent Agency (UTA) and Verve Talent & Literary Agency. This blend of gaming, film, television, sports, and talent‑representation expertise underscores the summit’s commitment to a truly interdisciplinary dialogue. Tickets for the Business of Entertainment Summit 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 percent discount when they apply the promotional code GIB20 at checkout or follow the dedicated discount link provided by the publication. This reduced rate is intended to encourage a broader segment of the gaming community to engage with the broader entertainment conversation, fostering cross‑industry networking and knowledge sharing.
The event promises to be more than a series of presentations; it is positioned as a networking hub where senior leaders can forge partnerships that may shape the next decade of entertainment. By bringing together decision‑makers from gaming studios, streaming services, film studios, live‑event promoters, and talent agencies, the summit aims to catalyse collaborative projects that leverage the strengths of each sector. Attendees can expect to leave with a deeper understanding of how AI tools are being deployed to personalize fan experiences, how franchise ecosystems can be expanded across multiple media formats, and how emerging markets in Asia are influencing global content trends. In summary, the FT Business of Entertainment Summit offers a unique platform for discussing the intersection of gaming and traditional media, highlighting the strategic importance of cross‑medium storytelling, and exploring the financial models that will sustain entertainment enterprises in an increasingly digital world.
The inclusion of EA and Tencent executives signals the growing relevance of interactive entertainment within the broader cultural conversation, while the presence of Netflix, Sony, Disney and other legacy players ensures that the dialogue remains balanced and comprehensive. For anyone involved in creating, distributing, or monetising entertainment content, the summit represents an essential opportunity to stay ahead of industry shifts and to network with the people shaping the future of entertainment.