The Financial Times has announced the roster of senior‑level speakers for its upcoming Business of Entertainment Summit, which will take place in Los Angeles this September. Among the most notable additions are representatives from the video‑game sector—David Tinson, President and Chief Operating Officer of Electronic Arts (EA), and Tian Xiao, Head of North American Partnerships at Tencent Games. They will share the stage with a line‑up that already features heavyweights from the traditional media world, 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 summit, working in conjunction with its parent organization, IGNE Entertainment, to bring the event to a broader audience.
The summit’s theme, "Forces Reshaping Entertainment," is designed to bring together decision‑makers from every corner of the entertainment ecosystem. Attendees will explore a wide range of topics that are currently redefining how content is created, distributed, and monetised. Discussions will cover 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 personalised fan interactions, and the future pathways for monetising digital and physical content. David Tinson will sit on a panel that examines cross‑medium entertainment strategies.
The conversation will also feature leaders from Universal Entertainment and narrative‑driven production house Madison Wells, focusing on how stories can flow seamlessly between games, film, television and emerging platforms. Tian Xiao, on the other hand, will contribute to a session dedicated to the worldwide surge of Asian cultural exports, highlighting how games, music, film and fashion from the region are gaining unprecedented traction in markets across Europe, the Americas and the Middle East.
Keynote speakers for the event include Bela Bajaria, Chief Content Officer at Netflix, who will share insights on the streaming giant’s content‑creation pipeline and its approach to global audiences. Mark Shapiro, President and COO of TKO Group, will discuss the convergence of sports, combat entertainment and digital media. Ravi Ahuja, Chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures, will outline the studio’s strategy for integrating gaming IPs into its film and television slate. David Lee, CFO of Webtoon, will provide a financial perspective on the rapid growth of digital comics and their crossover potential into other media formats.
In addition to the headline speakers, the summit will host representatives from Amazon Prime Video, the Los Angeles Dodgers, Disney, Regal Global Entertainment and a host of other influential brands. Executives from companies such as EA, The Pokémon Company, Apple, Netflix, Sony Pictures and Paramount Pictures will be present, offering a rare opportunity for networking and cross‑industry collaboration. Talent‑agency powerhouses—including Creative Artists Agency (CAA), United Talent Agency (UTA) and Verve Talent & Literary Agency—will also send delegations, underscoring the event’s comprehensive coverage of the entertainment value chain. The summit will be accessible both in person and via a digital platform, allowing participants from around the globe to join the conversation.
Tickets are currently on sale, and GamesIndustry.biz readers enjoy a special 20 % discount when they apply the promotional code GIB20 at checkout or follow the dedicated discount link provided by the organisers. This reduced rate is intended to encourage more members of the gaming community to engage with the broader entertainment discourse and to foster deeper connections between the interactive and linear media sectors.
Overall, the FT Business of Entertainment Summit promises to be a pivotal gathering for anyone interested in the future of storytelling, distribution, and audience engagement. By bringing together senior executives from gaming, streaming, film, sports, and live‑event domains, the conference aims to surface fresh ideas, identify collaborative opportunities, and chart a roadmap for the next decade of entertainment innovation.