The Financial Times has announced the full roster of 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, specifically David Tinson, President and Chief Operating Officer of Electronic Arts (EA), and Tian Xiao, Head of North American Partnerships at Tencent Games. Their participation places the gaming industry alongside a line‑up that already features heavyweight 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, to help publicize the event to a broader audience. The summit’s overarching theme is "the forces reshaping entertainment," a phrase that captures the rapid convergence of media formats, technology, and cultural trends that are redefining how audiences consume content. Over the course of the two‑day gathering, leaders from film, television, gaming, live‑event production, and digital platforms will convene to explore a suite of pressing topics. These include the evolving landscape of media dealmaking, the mechanics of building and sustaining franchise ecosystems, the growing global influence of cultural exports, the future of live‑experience entertainment, the role of artificial intelligence in crafting more immersive fan interactions, and new models for monetising content in an increasingly fragmented marketplace.
David Tinson will sit on a panel dedicated to cross‑medium entertainment, joining peers from Universal Entertainment and narrative‑driven production company Madison Wells. The discussion is expected to delve into how intellectual property can migrate fluidly between video games, movies, television series, and emerging formats such as virtual reality experiences, creating synergistic revenue streams and deeper fan engagement.
Tian Xiao, on the other hand, will appear on a separate panel that examines the global surge of Asian cultural products and the strategic partnerships that are helping these exports reach wider audiences. His insights will likely touch on Tencent's role in financing, publishing, and distributing games that resonate beyond the Asian market, as well as the broader implications for cultural diplomacy and soft power.
Keynote speakers at the summit include Bela Bajaria, Chief Content Officer at Netflix, who will share the streaming giant’s vision for original programming and its strategy for navigating a crowded OTT environment. Mark Shapiro, President and COO of TKO Group, will discuss the integration of sports entertainment with broader media ecosystems, while Ravi Ahuja, Chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures, will provide perspective on the studio’s approach to franchise development and international distribution. David Lee, Chief Financial Officer of Webtoon, will round out the keynote lineup, offering a financial viewpoint on the rise of digital comics and their potential to serve as incubators for cross‑platform storytelling.
In addition to the headline speakers, the summit will feature a diverse array of panelists and presenters from Amazon Prime Video, the Los Angeles Dodgers, Disney, Regal Global Entertainment, and other influential companies. Executives representing iconic brands such as EA, Pokémon, Apple, Netflix, Sony Pictures, and Paramount will be present, fostering a rich environment for networking and idea exchange.
Talent‑agency representatives from major firms—including Creative Artists Agency (CAA), United Talent Agency (UTA), and Verve Talent & Literary Agency—will also attend, underscoring the importance of talent representation in the evolving entertainment economy. Attendees have the option to participate either in person, enjoying the vibrant atmosphere of West Hollywood’s conference venues, or digitally, via a live‑stream that will capture all sessions and allow remote interaction.
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 a dedicated link supplied by the publication.
This incentive is designed to encourage industry professionals, analysts, and enthusiasts to join the conversation and gain firsthand insight into the strategic directions shaping the future of entertainment. Overall, the Business of Entertainment Summit promises to be a pivotal forum where the boundaries between gaming, film, television, sports, and live performance are examined, challenged, and reimagined. By bringing together senior executives from both legacy media institutions and fast‑growing interactive entertainment firms, the event aims to surface collaborative opportunities, highlight emerging technologies such as AI‑driven personalization, and map out sustainable business models for an audience whose consumption habits are constantly evolving. Whether you are a content creator, a distributor, a marketer, or an investor, the summit offers a comprehensive look at the forces that will define the next decade of global entertainment.