The Financial Times has announced the roster of senior executives who will take the stage at its upcoming Business of Entertainment Summit, set to take place in Los Angeles this September. Among the most eagerly anticipated participants are top representatives 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 share the panel with high‑profile figures from the broader entertainment sector, 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 wider audience. The summit is billed as a deep‑dive into the "forces reshaping entertainment," gathering thought‑leaders from every corner of the industry to examine how media deals, franchise ecosystems, cultural influence, live‑event experiences, artificial‑intelligence applications, and new monetisation models are converging to redefine the way content is created, distributed, and consumed. Attendees will hear from CEOs, COOs, chief content officers, and other decision‑makers as they discuss the strategic shifts that are driving growth and innovation across film, television, gaming, sports, and live performance.
One of the flagship sessions will feature David Tinson, who will sit on a cross‑medium entertainment panel alongside senior executives from Universal Entertainment and narrative‑driven production house Madison Wells. The discussion will explore how traditional film and television properties are being extended into interactive experiences, the challenges of maintaining brand consistency across platforms, and the opportunities that arise when game studios collaborate with Hollywood studios to build richer, multi‑layered storytelling universes. Tian Xiao will appear on a separate panel focused on the global surge of Asian cultural exports. In recent years, Chinese and broader Asian media properties have made significant inroads into Western markets, and Tencent Games has been at the forefront of that movement, leveraging its massive user base and publishing expertise to bring titles such as "Honor of Kings" and "PUBG Mobile" to international audiences.
Xiao will discuss partnership models, localisation strategies, and the regulatory landscape that influences how Asian content is packaged for global consumption. The summit’s keynote lineup includes several marquee names. Bela Bajaria, Chief Content Officer at Netflix, will outline the streaming giant’s approach to original programming, data‑driven content decisions, and the ways in which Netflix is experimenting with interactive storytelling formats.
Mark Shapiro, President and COO of TKO Group, will speak about the convergence of sports, combat entertainment, and digital media, highlighting how live‑event brands like UFC and WWE are leveraging streaming platforms, social media, and immersive technologies to reach new fans. Ravi Ahuja, Chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures, will share insights on the studio’s strategy for integrating film, television, and gaming assets, especially in the wake of the PlayStation ecosystem’s growing influence on narrative development.
David Lee, Chief Financial Officer of Webtoon, will provide a financial perspective on the rise of digital comics and their role as a source of IP that can be adapted into games, series, and movies. Beyond the keynotes, the agenda is packed with speakers from Amazon Prime Video, the Los Angeles Dodgers, Disney, Regal Global Entertainment, and many other leading organizations.
Executives from companies such as EA, Pokémon, Apple, Netflix, Sony Pictures, and Paramount will be present, creating ample networking opportunities for attendees seeking partnerships or insights across the entertainment value chain. Talent agencies will also be well represented.
Delegates from Creative Artists Agency (CAA), United Talent Agency (UTA), and Verve Talent & Literary Agency will be on hand to discuss the evolving role of talent representation in an era where creators are increasingly expected to be multi‑platform storytellers. The summit offers both in‑person and digital attendance options, allowing participants from around the world to join the conversation.
Tickets are on sale now, and GamesIndustry.biz readers can enjoy a 20 percent discount by applying the promotional code GIB20 at checkout or by following the dedicated discount link provided by the event organizers. This reduced rate is intended to encourage a broader segment of the gaming and entertainment community to take part in the dialogue that will shape the next decade of media consumption.
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 bringing together leaders from the most influential companies in each sector, the event aims to foster collaboration, spark new ideas, and chart a roadmap for the future of entertainment in an increasingly interconnected world.