The Financial Times has announced the senior‑level roster for its upcoming Business of Entertainment Summit, set to take place in Los Angeles this September. Among the speakers are representatives from two of the world’s biggest game‑making firms—Electronic Arts (EA) and Tencent Games—who will sit alongside high‑profile leaders from traditional media powerhouses such as Netflix, Sony Pictures, NBCUniversal and the parent company of UFC and WWE, TKO Group.
GamesIndustry.biz is acting as a promotional partner for the gathering, in collaboration 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 broad array of subjects, ranging from the evolving landscape of media mergers and acquisitions to the construction and management of multi‑platform franchise ecosystems. Other topics on the agenda include the growing global cultural impact of entertainment products, the future of live‑event experiences, the possibilities that artificial intelligence offers for enhancing fan interaction, and emerging models for monetising content in an increasingly digital world.
One of the headline panels will feature David Tinson, who serves as President and Chief Operating Officer at EA. Tinson will join executives from Universal Entertainment and the narrative‑driven production studio Madison Wells for a discussion on cross‑medium entertainment—how video games, movies, television series 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 at Tencent Games, will address the rapid expansion of Asian cultural exports on the global stage, offering insight into how Chinese gaming IPs are gaining footholds in Western markets and what that means for the broader entertainment ecosystem.
The keynote lineup is equally impressive. Bela Bajaria, Chief Content Officer at Netflix, will open the event with a talk on the streaming giant’s strategy for original programming and its role in shaping viewing habits worldwide. Mark Shapiro, President and COO of TKO Group, will discuss the convergence of sports, combat entertainment, and digital media, while Ravi Ahuja, Chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures, will share perspectives on film production, distribution and the integration of gaming technologies into cinematic storytelling. Additionally, David Lee, Chief Financial Officer of Webtoon, will provide a financial lens on the rise of digital comics and their cross‑media potential.
Beyond the keynotes, the summit will feature a diverse slate of speakers, including senior figures from Amazon Prime Video, the Los Angeles Dodgers, Disney, and Regal Global Entertainment. Executives representing major brands such as EA, Pokémon, Apple, Netflix, Sony Pictures and Paramount will be present, creating ample networking opportunities for participants. Representatives from leading talent agencies—Creative Artists Agency (CAA), United Talent Agency (UTA) and Verve Talent & Literary Agency—will also attend, underscoring the event’s focus on the intersection of content creation, distribution and talent management.
The Business of Entertainment Summit offers both virtual and in‑person attendance options. Tickets are on sale now, 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 organizer.
This reduced rate is intended to make the summit more accessible to professionals who cover the gaming sector and wish to gain insight into the broader entertainment trends that are influencing their industry. Overall, the FT summit promises to be a pivotal forum for anyone interested in the future of entertainment—whether they come from gaming, film, television, sports, or digital media.
By gathering leaders from across the spectrum, the event will illuminate how traditional boundaries are dissolving, how new technologies like AI are being harnessed to deepen fan engagement, and how revenue models are adapting to a world where content can be consumed on any device, at any time. Participants will leave with a clearer understanding of the strategic directions their companies can take, as well as valuable connections with peers who are shaping the next generation of entertainment experiences.