The Financial Times has announced the roster of senior executives who will appear at its forthcoming Business of Entertainment Summit, scheduled to take place in Los Angeles this September. Among the featured speakers are high‑profile 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 for Tencent Games. They will share the stage with a distinguished line‑up of leaders from traditional media powerhouses such as Netflix, Sony Pictures, NBCUniversal, and the parent company of UFC and WWE, TKO Group.
GamesIndustry.biz, together with its parent organization IGNE Entertainment, serves as a promotional partner for the event. The summit’s overarching theme is "the forces reshaping entertainment," and it is designed to bring together decision‑makers from every corner of the entertainment ecosystem. Attendees will explore a broad spectrum of subjects that are currently redefining how content is created, distributed, and monetised. 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 properties, the integration of live‑event experiences, the emerging role of artificial intelligence in crafting personalised fan interactions, and the future pathways for revenue generation across both digital and physical platforms.
David Tinson will sit on a panel dedicated to cross‑medium entertainment, where he will discuss how video‑games, film, television, and emerging interactive formats can intersect to create richer narratives and more immersive experiences. He will be joined by senior figures from Universal Entertainment and the narrative‑production studio Madison Wells, allowing for a multi‑disciplinary conversation that bridges the gap between traditional Hollywood storytelling and the interactive possibilities offered by modern gaming technology. Tian Xiao’s participation will focus on a panel titled "The Global Rise of Asia’s Cultural Exports," a subject that is increasingly relevant as Asian media properties—ranging from anime and K‑pop to mobile games—gain unprecedented traction in Western markets.
Xiao will share insights on how Tencent Games is leveraging partnerships, localized content strategies, and cross‑border collaborations to amplify the reach of Asian‑origin entertainment worldwide. The summit’s keynote lineup features some of the most influential names in the industry. Bela Bajaria, Chief Content Officer at Netflix, will address the streaming giant’s approach to original programming and global distribution.
Mark Shapiro, President and COO of TKO Group, will discuss the convergence of sports, combat entertainment, and digital media. Ravi Ahuja, Chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures, will offer perspectives on the studio’s film and television strategies, while David Lee, Chief Financial Officer of Webtoon, will examine the financial models that underpin the rapidly growing digital comics platform. Beyond the keynote speakers, the conference will host a diverse array of panelists and presenters, including senior executives from Amazon Prime Video, the Los Angeles Dodgers, Disney, and Regal Global Entertainment. Representatives from leading talent agencies—Creative Artists Agency (CAA), United Talent Agency (UTA), and Verve Talent & Literary Agency—will also be in attendance, underscoring the event’s comprehensive coverage of the talent‑representation side of the business.
The Business of Entertainment Summit is positioned as a must‑attend gathering for anyone looking to understand the shifting dynamics of the entertainment landscape. It will provide networking opportunities, strategic insights, and forward‑looking discussions that are essential for executives, creators, investors, and analysts alike. Tickets are now on sale for both virtual participation and in‑person attendance at the West Hollywood venue.
GamesIndustry.biz readers are eligible for a 20 % discount on the registration fee by applying the promotional code GIB20 at checkout or by following the dedicated discount link provided by the site. This special rate is intended to encourage broader participation from the gaming community and to highlight the increasingly intertwined nature of gaming and traditional media sectors. In summary, the FT Business of Entertainment Summit promises a rich program that examines how technology, cultural trends, and business innovation are reshaping the way stories are told and consumed across the globe. With a blend of seasoned veterans and emerging voices from both the gaming and broader entertainment worlds, the event aims to foster collaboration, spark new ideas, and chart the future direction of the industry.