The Financial Times has announced the full roster of senior executives who will appear at its upcoming Business of Entertainment Summit, scheduled to take place in Los Angeles this September. Among the most notable additions are representatives from two of the world’s largest video‑game publishers, Electronic Arts (EA) and Tencent Games, who will share the stage with high‑profile figures from traditional media powerhouses such as Netflix, Sony Pictures, NBCUniversal and the parent company of UFC and WWE, the TKO Group.
GamesIndustry.biz serves as a promotional partner for the summit, working alongside its parent organization, IGNE Entertainment, to help publicise the event. The summit is billed as a deep‑dive into the "forces reshaping entertainment," gathering thought‑leaders from every corner of the entertainment ecosystem to explore a wide array of timely topics. Attendees will examine the evolving landscape of media dealmaking, the intricacies of franchise ecosystems, the growing global cultural impact of entertainment content, the future of live‑event experiences, the emerging role of artificial intelligence in crafting fan‑centric experiences, and new models for monetising content in an increasingly fragmented marketplace.
One of the marquee panels will feature David Tinson, who serves as President and Chief Operating Officer at EA. Tinson will sit alongside senior executives from Universal Entertainment and narrative‑driven production studio Madison Wells to discuss the concept of cross‑medium entertainment—how video‑game IP can be leveraged across film, television, streaming, and even live experiences to create richer, more immersive storytelling universes. In a separate session, Tian Xiao, Head of North American Partnerships at Tencent Games, will address a panel focused on the global ascent of Asian cultural exports, highlighting how Chinese and broader Asian gaming titles are gaining footholds in Western markets and influencing worldwide pop culture trends.
The keynote lineup is equally impressive. Bela Bajaria, Chief Content Officer at Netflix, will open the summit with insights into the streaming giant’s strategy for original programming and its approach to navigating the competitive streaming wars. Mark Shapiro, President and COO of the TKO Group, will share perspectives on the convergence of sports, combat entertainment, and digital media, while Ravi Ahuja, Chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures, will discuss the studio’s roadmap for integrating gaming IP into its film and television pipelines.
David Lee, CFO of Webtoon, will round out the keynote speakers, offering a financial view on the explosion of digital comics and their potential to feed new content franchises. Beyond the headline speakers, the summit will host a broad spectrum of industry leaders. Executives from Amazon Prime Video, the Los Angeles Dodgers, Disney, and Regal Global Entertainment will participate in breakout sessions and panel discussions, providing a cross‑section of viewpoints from streaming services, sports franchises, theme‑park operators, and cinema chains. Representatives from major 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 representation in the new entertainment economy.
The event is designed to be accessible both in person and virtually, giving participants the flexibility to join from anywhere in the world. Tickets are already on sale, and GamesIndustry.biz readers are eligible for a special 20% discount. To claim the reduced rate, readers can either apply the promo code GIB20 during checkout or follow the dedicated discount link provided by the organizer.
This discount is intended to encourage a wider audience of gaming professionals, analysts, and enthusiasts to engage with the broader conversations shaping the future of entertainment. In addition to the formal programming, the summit will feature networking opportunities, curated meet‑ups, and an exhibition floor where companies can showcase emerging technologies, interactive experiences, and innovative content formats.
Attendees can expect to see demonstrations of next‑generation AI tools for content creation, virtual‑reality experiences that blend gaming and live performance, and data‑driven platforms that help studios predict audience preferences across multiple regions. Overall, the FT Business of Entertainment Summit promises to be a pivotal gathering for anyone interested in the intersection of gaming, film, television, sports, and digital media.
By bringing together leaders from both the interactive and linear entertainment sectors, the conference aims to foster collaboration, spark new ideas, and chart a roadmap for the next decade of entertainment innovation. Whether you are a senior executive, a content creator, a marketer, or an investor, the summit offers a unique platform to hear directly from the decision‑makers who are redefining how stories are told and consumed in a rapidly changing world.