The Financial Times has announced the roster of senior executives who will take part in its upcoming Business of Entertainment Summit, scheduled to take place in Los Angeles this September. Among the speakers are high‑profile figures from the video‑game sector, specifically representatives from Electronic Arts (EA) and Tencent Games, who will share the stage with top leaders 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 event, working in conjunction with its parent organization, IGNE Entertainment, to help publicize the summit. The summit is framed around the theme of "forces reshaping entertainment," and it aims to bring together decision‑makers from every corner of the entertainment value chain. Attendees will explore a broad spectrum of subjects, ranging from the evolving dynamics of media dealmaking and the construction of franchise ecosystems, to the ways in which global culture influences content creation and distribution. Additional topics on the agenda include the rise of live‑event experiences, the potential applications of artificial intelligence in crafting more immersive fan interactions, and the future pathways for monetising entertainment properties across multiple platforms.
One of the highlighted panels will feature David Tinson, who serves as President and Chief Operating Officer at EA. Tinson will join peers from Universal Entertainment and narrative‑driven production house Madison Wells to discuss the concept of cross‑medium entertainment—how stories and brands can flow seamlessly between games, film, television and other formats. In a separate session, Tian Xiao, Head of North American Partnerships for Tencent Games, will address the accelerating global impact of Asian cultural exports, examining how Chinese and broader Asian creators are influencing worldwide entertainment trends and how partnerships can be forged to capitalize on this momentum.
The keynote lineup includes several marquee names. Bela Bajaria, Chief Content Officer at Netflix, will share insights on the streaming giant’s content strategy and its approach to building global audiences. Mark Shapiro, President and COO of TKO Group, will discuss the synergy between sports, combat entertainment, and traditional media. Ravi Ahuja, Chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures, will outline the studio’s vision for integrating film, television and interactive media.
David Lee, Chief Financial Officer of Webtoon, will provide a perspective on the monetisation of digital comics and the role of user‑generated content in the broader ecosystem. Beyond the keynote speakers, the summit will feature a diverse array of panelists and contributors, including senior executives from Amazon Prime Video, the Los Angeles Dodgers, Disney, and Regal Global Entertainment. Representatives from leading talent agencies such as Creative Artists Agency (CAA), United Talent Agency (UTA) and Verve Talent & Literary Agency will also be present, offering a glimpse into how talent representation is adapting to the convergence of gaming, streaming, and live entertainment. The event is designed to cater to both in‑person participants and those who prefer a virtual experience.
Tickets are currently on sale, and the organizers have made provisions for a hybrid format that includes live streaming of sessions, interactive Q&A opportunities, and networking lounges accessible online. As an added incentive for the GamesIndustry.biz community, readers can enjoy a 20 percent discount on the registration fee by applying the promotional code GIB20 at checkout or by following a dedicated discount link provided by the platform. Overall, the Business of Entertainment Summit promises to be a pivotal gathering for anyone interested in the intersection of gaming, film, television, sports and emerging technologies.
By convening leaders from both the interactive and linear media worlds, the summit seeks to foster dialogue that will shape the next wave of entertainment innovation, address challenges related to content distribution and rights management, and explore new revenue models that can sustain creative enterprises in an increasingly fragmented and competitive market. Whether you are a studio executive, a game developer, a streaming platform strategist, or a talent agent, the summit offers a unique opportunity to gain insight from the foremost thinkers and practitioners who are steering the future of global entertainment.