The Financial Times has announced the full roster of senior executives who will appear at its upcoming Business of Entertainment Summit, set to take place in Los Angeles this September. Among the most notable additions are representatives from two of the world’s largest video‑game companies—Electronic Arts (EA) and Tencent Games—who will sit alongside high‑profile figures from traditional 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 gathering, working in concert with its parent organization, IGNE Entertainment, to bring the event to a wider audience.
The summit’s overarching theme is "the forces reshaping entertainment," and it is designed to convene decision‑makers from every corner of the entertainment ecosystem. Attendees will explore a wide array of subjects that are currently redefining how content is created, distributed, and monetized.
Topics on the agenda include the evolving landscape of media dealmaking, the intricate web of franchise ecosystems, the growing global cultural influence of entertainment brands, the resurgence of live‑event experiences, the emerging role of artificial intelligence in crafting immersive fan interactions, and the future pathways for revenue generation across digital and physical platforms. One of the highlighted panels will feature David Tinson, who serves as President and Chief Operating Officer at EA. Tinson will join a discussion on cross‑medium storytelling alongside senior leaders from Universal Entertainment and narrative‑driven production house Madison Wells.
The panel aims to dissect how video‑game IPs can be leveraged across film, television, and emerging interactive formats, creating synergistic experiences that deepen audience engagement. In a parallel session, Tian Xiao, Head of North American Partnerships for Tencent Games, will address the rapid ascent of Asian cultural exports on the global stage. Xiao’s insights are expected to cover Tencent’s strategic initiatives to bring Chinese‑origin games and media properties to Western markets, as well as the broader implications of Asia’s growing soft‑power in entertainment.
The summit’s keynote lineup is equally impressive. Bela Bajaria, Chief Content Officer at Netflix, will share Netflix’s vision for original content creation and its approach to balancing global appeal with localized storytelling. Mark Shapiro, President and COO of TKO Group, will discuss the convergence of sports, combat entertainment, and mainstream media, highlighting how live‑event brands like UFC and WWE are adapting to digital consumption trends. Ravi Ahuja, Chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures, will provide a perspective on the studio’s multi‑platform strategy, while David Lee, Chief Financial Officer of Webtoon, will examine the financial mechanics behind digital comics and their transition into other media formats.
Beyond the keynotes, a diverse set of speakers will contribute to the conversation, including senior executives from Amazon Prime Video, the Los Angeles Dodgers, Disney, and Regal Global Entertainment. Representatives from major talent agencies—Creative Artists Agency (CAA), United Talent Agency (UTA), and Verve Talent & Literary Agency—will also be present, underscoring the importance of talent representation in the evolving entertainment economy. The event promises ample networking opportunities as well.
Attendees will mingle with leaders from EA, Pokémon, Apple, Netflix, Sony Pictures, Paramount, and a host of other influential firms. The presence of talent‑agency executives adds another layer of insight into how creators, managers, and brands are negotiating new partnership models in a rapidly shifting market.
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 are eligible for a 20 percent discount on the registration fee by applying the promotional code GIB20 at checkout or by following the dedicated discount link provided by the publisher. This reduced rate aims to make the summit more accessible to professionals across the gaming and broader entertainment sectors, encouraging a richer exchange of ideas among a cross‑industry audience. In summary, the FT Business of Entertainment Summit will serve as a pivotal forum where the most influential voices from gaming, streaming, film, sports, and live entertainment converge to discuss the transformative forces shaping the future of content.
By bringing together executives from EA, Tencent, Netflix, Sony, Disney, and many other leaders, the summit offers a unique platform for collaboration, insight, and strategic foresight that will help guide the industry through the next wave of innovation and cultural change.