The Financial Times has announced the full roster of senior executives who will appear at its upcoming Business of Entertainment Summit, set to 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 share the stage with high‑profile figures from traditional 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 concert with its parent organization, IGNE Entertainment, to bring the event to a wider audience. The summit is billed as a deep‑dive into the "forces reshaping entertainment," convening leaders from every corner of the entertainment ecosystem.
The agenda is designed to explore how the industry is evolving in response to rapid technological change, shifting consumer habits, and the growing convergence of media formats. Topics on the program include the mechanics of media dealmaking in a fragmented market, the construction and management of franchise ecosystems that span games, film, television, and merchandise, and the expanding cultural influence of global entertainment brands.
In addition, the summit will examine the role of live experiences—concerts, sporting events, and immersive theater—in a digital‑first world, as well as the potential for artificial intelligence to personalize fan interactions and unlock new revenue streams. Finally, panels will address the future of content monetisation, debating subscription models, ad‑supported formats, and emerging blockchain‑based approaches. David Tinson will sit on a panel titled "Cross‑Medium Entertainment," where he will discuss how EA is leveraging its deep catalog of gaming IPs to create experiences that cross over into film, television, and even live events.
He will be joined by executives from Universal Entertainment, which is exploring similar synergies, and representatives from narrative‑driven production house Madison Wells. The conversation is expected to highlight case studies such as the "FIFA" franchise’s expansion into documentary series and the "Star Wars" gaming universe’s integration with Disney’s streaming content.
Tian Xiao will lead a discussion on "The Global Rise of Asia’s Cultural Exports," focusing on how Tencent Games is helping to bring Asian gaming titles to North American audiences and how these titles are influencing broader cultural trends. The panel will look at the success of games like "Honor of Kings" and "PUBG Mobile," analyzing how localized content, strategic partnerships, and aggressive marketing have turned them into worldwide phenomena.
Xiao will also touch on the regulatory challenges and opportunities that arise when Asian creators enter Western markets. Keynote speakers for the summit include Bela Bajaria, Chief Content Officer at Netflix, who will outline the streaming giant’s strategy for integrating interactive storytelling and gaming elements into its platform. Mark Shapiro, President and COO of TKO Group, will speak about the convergence of sports, combat entertainment, and digital media, emphasizing the role of live‑event monetisation in a post‑pandemic landscape.
Ravi Ahuja, Chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures, will provide insight into how the studio is navigating the shift from theatrical releases to hybrid distribution models, while David Lee, CFO of Webtoon, will discuss the monetisation of digital comics and their potential to serve as source material for both games and screen adaptations. Additional speakers will represent Amazon Prime Video, the Los Angeles Dodgers, Disney, and Regal Global Entertainment, offering a panoramic view of the entertainment industry’s future.
Executives from companies such as EA, Pokémon, Apple, Netflix, Sony Pictures, and Paramount will be present, alongside talent‑agency representatives from CAA, United Talent Agency, and Verve Talent & Literary Agency, ensuring that the conversation includes perspectives from both creators and the talent‑representation side of the business. The summit will be accessible both in person and via a digital platform, allowing participants from around the globe to join the dialogue. Tickets are currently on sale, and GamesIndustry.biz readers are eligible for a 20 % discount by applying the promotional code GIB20 at checkout or by following the dedicated discount link provided by the event organizers. This reduced rate is intended to encourage more industry professionals, especially those from the gaming sector, to attend and contribute to the cross‑disciplinary discussions that will shape the next decade of entertainment.
Overall, the Business of Entertainment Summit promises to be a pivotal gathering where senior leaders can exchange ideas, forge partnerships, and chart a collaborative path forward in an increasingly interconnected media landscape. Whether you are a game developer, a streaming service executive, a live‑event promoter, or a talent‑agency representative, the summit offers a unique forum to explore how technology, culture, and business strategy intersect to define the future of entertainment.