The Financial Times has announced the full roster of senior‑level participants for its upcoming Business of Entertainment Summit, set to take place in Los Angeles this September. Among the most notable additions are representatives from two of the world’s biggest game‑making powerhouses, Electronic Arts (EA) and Tencent Games, who will share the stage with a distinguished line‑up of executives from traditional media giants 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 core theme revolves around the "forces reshaping entertainment," a broad umbrella that encompasses everything from the evolving dynamics of media dealmaking to the intricate web of franchise ecosystems that now span games, film, television and live experiences. Attendees will also explore the growing cultural impact of entertainment on a global scale, the ways in which live events are being reimagined for digital audiences, the promise and perils of artificial intelligence in crafting fan‑centric experiences, and the future pathways for monetising content across multiple platforms. One of the headline panels will feature David Tinson, President and Chief Operating Officer of EA, who will sit alongside senior leaders from Universal Entertainment and narrative‑driven production house Madison Wells.
This discussion, titled "Cross‑Medium Entertainment," will examine how video‑game studios, film studios and emerging storytellers can collaborate to create seamless experiences that move fluidly between screens, consoles, theme parks and streaming services. Tinson is expected to draw on EA’s extensive portfolio—ranging from sports franchises like FIFA and Madden to blockbuster titles such as Battlefield and The Sims—to illustrate how a single IP can be leveraged across a multitude of formats, generating new revenue streams and deeper fan engagement.
In a separate session, Tian Xiao, Head of North American Partnerships at Tencent Games, will address a panel focused on "The Global Rise of Asia’s Cultural Exports." Tencent, which owns a suite of popular titles including Honor of Kings and the strategic stake in Epic Games, has become a key conduit for Asian gaming culture to reach Western markets. Xiao will discuss the strategic partnerships, localization efforts, and regulatory navigation that have enabled Chinese‑origin games to thrive abroad, as well as the broader implications for music, film and fashion as Asian creators gain unprecedented global visibility. Keynote speakers at the summit include Bela Bajaria, Chief Content Officer at Netflix, who will share insights on how the streaming titan curates and scales original programming in an increasingly crowded marketplace. Mark Shapiro, President and COO of TKO Group, will discuss the convergence of sports, combat entertainment and digital media, highlighting the ways in which live‑event brands are being digitized for on‑demand consumption.
Ravi Ahuja, Chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures, will provide a perspective on the studio’s strategy for integrating gaming IPs into its cinematic pipeline, while David Lee, Chief Financial Officer of Webtoon, will explore the monetisation models that have propelled web‑based comics into mainstream entertainment. Additional speakers represent a cross‑section of the entertainment ecosystem: senior executives from Amazon Prime Video will talk about algorithm‑driven content recommendations; representatives from the Los Angeles Dodgers will discuss the synergy between sports franchises and streaming platforms; Disney’s leadership will outline its approach to leveraging beloved characters across theme parks, merchandise and interactive media; and officials from Regal Global Entertainment will examine the future of the theatrical experience in an age of home‑based streaming. The summit will also draw a sizable contingent of talent‑agency representatives, including agents from Creative Artists Agency (CAA), United Talent Agency (UTA) and Verve Talent & Literary Agency.
Their presence underscores the importance of talent management and rights negotiation in an environment where IP can be simultaneously a game, a series, a live show and a merchandising line. 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 are eligible for a 20 percent discount by entering the promotional code GIB20 at checkout or by following a dedicated discount link provided by the publisher. This reduced rate is intended to encourage a broader segment of the gaming and media community to join the conversation, fostering cross‑industry collaboration that could shape the next decade of entertainment. Overall, the summit promises to be a pivotal gathering for anyone interested in the intersection of gaming, streaming, live events and emerging technologies. By bringing together leaders from both legacy media companies and the fast‑growing interactive sector, the event aims to surface actionable insights, forge new partnerships, and chart a roadmap for an entertainment landscape that is increasingly fluid, data‑driven and globally interconnected.