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 most eagerly anticipated participants are top executives from the video‑game world – David Tinson, President and Chief Operating Officer of Electronic Arts (EA), and Tian Xiao, Head of North American Partnerships at Tencent Games – who will sit alongside 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, helping to spread the word to industry insiders and enthusiasts alike.
The summit is billed as a deep‑dive into the "forces reshaping entertainment," gathering influential voices from every corner of the entertainment ecosystem. Attendees will explore a broad spectrum of subjects that are redefining how content is created, distributed, and monetized in today’s hyper‑connected world. Topics on the agenda include the evolving landscape of media dealmaking, the construction and management of franchise ecosystems, the growing global cultural influence of entertainment brands, the rise of live‑event experiences, the emerging role of artificial intelligence in crafting fan‑centric interactions, and the future pathways for extracting value from digital and physical content. David Tinson will appear on a panel that examines cross‑medium entertainment strategies, sharing the stage with senior figures from Universal Entertainment and narrative‑driven studio Madison Wells.
The discussion will focus on how game developers, film studios, and streaming platforms can collaborate to create seamless experiences that span multiple formats, from interactive titles to cinematic releases and beyond. Tian Xiao, meanwhile, will contribute to a session dedicated to the worldwide surge of Asian cultural exports. His insights will shed light on how Tencent Games is leveraging its massive user base and development resources to bring Asian‑originated IPs to Western markets, and how this trend is reshaping global entertainment consumption patterns. Keynote speakers for the summit include Bela Bajaria, Chief Content Officer at Netflix, who will outline the streaming giant’s vision for original programming and its approach to integrating gaming content into its portfolio.
Mark Shapiro, President and COO of TKO Group, will discuss the synergies between live sports, combat entertainment, and digital media. Ravi Ahuja, Chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures, will offer a perspective on the studio’s strategy for balancing blockbuster film releases with emerging streaming opportunities. David Lee, CFO of Webtoon, will provide an analysis of the financial dynamics behind digital comics and their growing relevance to both gaming and television adaptations.
In addition to the headline speakers, the summit will feature a host of other notable participants. Executives from Amazon Prime Video, the Los Angeles Dodgers, Disney, and Regal Global Entertainment will join the conversation, bringing insights from both the sports and theme‑park sectors as well as from traditional and emerging media platforms. Representatives from leading talent agencies—including Creative Artists Agency (CAA), United Talent Agency (UTA), and Verve Talent & Literary Agency—will also be present, underscoring the importance of talent management and representation in the evolving entertainment landscape.
The event is designed to be accessible to a wide audience. Both virtual and in‑person attendance options are available, allowing participants from around the globe to join the dialogue. For readers of GamesIndustry.biz, a special discount of 20 percent is being offered. To claim the reduced rate, attendees can use the promotional code GIB20 during registration or follow the dedicated discount link provided by the site.
Overall, the Business of Entertainment Summit promises to be a pivotal gathering for anyone interested in the intersection of gaming, film, television, sports, and live experiences. By convening senior leaders from the most influential companies in the sector, the conference aims to foster collaboration, spark innovative ideas, and chart a roadmap for the next decade of entertainment. Whether you are a studio executive, a game developer, a content creator, or a media analyst, the summit offers a unique opportunity to hear directly from the decision‑makers who are shaping the future of how stories are told, consumed, and monetized across the globe.