The Financial Times has announced the senior‑level speakers for its upcoming Business of Entertainment Summit, which will take place in Los Angeles this September. Among the most notable additions are representatives from the video‑game 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 sit alongside a distinguished roster of executives 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 summit, working in conjunction with its parent organization, IGNE Entertainment.
The summit is billed as a deep‑dive into the "forces reshaping entertainment," bringing together senior leaders from every corner of the media ecosystem. Attendees will explore a wide array of subjects, including the evolving landscape of media dealmaking, the intricate web of franchise ecosystems, the growing global cultural influence of entertainment brands, the future of live‑event experiences, the role of artificial intelligence in crafting fan‑centric experiences, and new models for content monetisation. By convening these thought leaders, the event aims to map out the strategic directions that will define the next decade of entertainment. David Tinson will take part in a panel focused on cross‑medium storytelling, joining peers from Universal Entertainment and narrative‑production studio Madison Wells.
The discussion will examine how intellectual property can flow seamlessly between video games, film, television, and emerging interactive formats, and how studios can leverage these synergies to deepen audience engagement. Tian Xiao, meanwhile, will appear on a separate panel that examines the worldwide surge of Asian cultural exports.
His insights will cover how games, music, and film from the region are gaining traction in Western markets, and what this means for partnership strategies, localisation, and co‑creation across borders. Keynote speakers for the summit include Bela Bajaria, Chief Content Officer at Netflix, who will likely discuss the streaming giant's approach to original programming and global distribution; Mark Shapiro, President and COO of TKO Group, who will share perspectives on live‑sport and combat‑sports entertainment; Ravi Ahuja, Chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures, who will outline the studio's vision for integrated media experiences; and David Lee, Chief Financial Officer of Webtoon, who will provide a financial lens on the rapid growth of digital comics and their crossover potential. In addition to the headline speakers, the agenda features representatives from Amazon Prime Video, the Los Angeles Dodgers, Disney, and Regal Global Entertainment, among others.
Executives from a variety of influential companies—including EA, Pokémon, Apple, Netflix, Sony Pictures, and Paramount—will be present, creating ample networking opportunities. Talent‑agency heavyweights such as Creative Artists Agency (CAA), United Talent Agency (UTA), and Verve Talent & Literary Agency will also be on hand, underscoring the summit's comprehensive view of the entertainment value chain. The summit offers both virtual 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. To claim the reduced rate, attendees can either apply the promotional code GIB20 during checkout or follow the dedicated discount link provided by the site. This concession is part of the partnership between GamesIndustry.biz and the Financial Times, designed to encourage broader participation from the gaming community.
Overall, the Business of Entertainment Summit promises to be a pivotal gathering for anyone interested in the convergence of gaming, film, television, sports, and live experiences. By featuring a balanced mix of industry veterans and forward‑thinking innovators, the event will illuminate how traditional media companies and interactive entertainment firms can collaborate to create richer, more immersive storytelling ecosystems.
Whether you are a content creator, a distributor, a talent‑agency professional, or an investor seeking insight into the next wave of entertainment economics, the summit offers a unique platform to hear directly from the architects shaping the future of the industry.