The Financial Times has announced the executive roster for its upcoming Business of Entertainment Summit, which will take place in Los Angeles this September. Among the speakers are senior figures from the video‑game sector, specifically representatives from Electronic Arts (EA) and Tencent Games, who will sit alongside top brass from traditional media powerhouses such as Netflix, Sony Pictures, NBCUniversal and the parent company of UFC and WWE, TKO Group. GamesIndustry.biz is listed as a promotional partner for the gathering, working in conjunction with its parent organization, IGNE Entertainment.
The summit is billed as a deep‑dive into the "forces reshaping entertainment," and it aims to bring together decision‑makers from every corner of the entertainment value chain. Attendees will explore a wide array of subjects, ranging from the evolving landscape of media dealmaking and the construction of franchise ecosystems to the growing global cultural impact of entertainment products. Additional topics on the agenda include the rise of live‑event experiences, the ways artificial intelligence can enhance fan interaction, and the future pathways for monetising content across multiple platforms. One of the headline panels will feature David Tinson, who serves as President and Chief Operating Officer of EA.
Tinson will join other leaders from Universal Entertainment and the narrative‑driven production house Madison Wells to discuss cross‑medium entertainment strategies—how film, television, gaming and other formats can be woven together to create richer, more immersive experiences for audiences. In a separate session, Tian Xiao, Head of North American Partnerships for Tencent Games, will address a panel focused on the global surge of Asian cultural exports, highlighting how Chinese and broader Asian content is gaining traction in markets worldwide and what that means for creators and distributors. Keynote speakers for the event include Bela Bajaria, Chief Content Officer at Netflix, who will share insights on the streaming giant's content strategy and its role in shaping viewing habits across the globe. Mark Shapiro, President and COO of TKO Group, will discuss the convergence of sports, combat entertainment, and traditional media.
Ravi Ahuja, Chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures, will offer his perspective on the future of film and television production in an increasingly digital world, while David Lee, CFO of Webtoon, will talk about the monetisation of digital comics and the opportunities they present for cross‑platform storytelling. The summit also boasts a robust lineup of additional speakers, featuring executives from Amazon Prime Video, the Los Angeles Dodgers, Disney, and Regal Global Entertainment.
Representatives from a range of talent agencies—including Creative Artists Agency (CAA), United Talent Agency (UTA) and Verve Talent & Literary Agency—will be present, underscoring the event's focus on the intersection of talent representation and content creation. Beyond the formal sessions, the conference provides ample networking opportunities for attendees to mingle with peers from leading firms such as EA, Pokémon, Apple, Netflix, Sony Pictures and Paramount. The presence of talent‑agency delegates further enriches the dialogue, offering a holistic view of how creative talent, distribution channels, and technology partners collaborate to bring entertainment to audiences.
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 enjoy a special 20% discount when they apply the promotional code GIB20 at checkout or follow the dedicated discount link provided by the organizer.
This reduced rate makes it more accessible for industry professionals, analysts and enthusiasts to join the conversation about the future of entertainment in a rapidly changing digital era. Overall, the FT Business of Entertainment Summit promises to be a pivotal gathering for anyone interested in the strategic directions shaping movies, television, gaming, live events and emerging technologies. By assembling a diverse group of senior leaders—from game developers and streaming services to traditional studios and talent agencies—the event aims to foster cross‑industry collaboration, spark innovative ideas and provide actionable insights that participants can apply within their own organisations.
Whether you are a veteran executive, a mid‑level manager, or an emerging professional seeking to understand the forces that will drive the next decade of entertainment, the summit offers a comprehensive platform to learn, network and influence the future trajectory of the global entertainment ecosystem.