The Financial Times has announced the senior‑level roster for its upcoming Business of Entertainment Summit, which will take place in Los Angeles this September. Among the most eagerly anticipated participants are two heavyweight representatives from the video‑games 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 join a distinguished line‑up that also features top executives from traditional linear‑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 summit, working in conjunction with its parent organization, IGNE Entertainment, to bring the event to a broader audience.
The summit’s central theme is "the forces reshaping entertainment," a phrase that captures the rapid convergence of film, television, gaming, live events, and emerging technologies. Over the course of the two‑day program, leaders from across the entertainment ecosystem will convene to explore a series of pressing topics.
These include the evolving landscape of media dealmaking, the construction and maintenance of franchise ecosystems, the expanding global cultural influence of entertainment brands, the future of live‑event experiences, the role artificial intelligence may play in enhancing fan engagement, and new models for monetising content in an increasingly fragmented market. David Tinson will sit on a panel dedicated to cross‑medium entertainment, where he will discuss how video‑games are increasingly intersecting with film, television, and other forms of media.
He will be joined by senior figures from Universal Entertainment, which is the interactive arm of Universal Studios, and representatives from Madison Wells, a narrative‑production company known for its work on story‑driven experiences. The discussion is expected to delve into how intellectual property can be leveraged across multiple platforms, the challenges of maintaining brand consistency, and the opportunities that arise when gaming studios collaborate with traditional storytellers.
Tian Xiao will appear on a separate panel that examines the global surge of cultural exports originating from Asia. As the head of North American partnerships for Tencent Games, Xiao is uniquely positioned to speak about the ways in which Chinese and broader Asian gaming titles are breaking into Western markets, the strategic partnerships that facilitate this expansion, and the cultural nuances that must be navigated when bringing Asian‑origin content to a global audience. The panel will also touch on how the rise of Asian media franchises—ranging from anime to mobile games—affects the competitive dynamics of the worldwide entertainment industry.
The summit’s keynote roster is equally impressive. Bela Bajaria, Chief Content Officer at Netflix, will share insights on the streaming giant’s content strategy and its impact on global viewing habits. Mark Shapiro, President and COO of TKO Group, will discuss the convergence of sports, combat entertainment, and media distribution. Ravi Ahuja, Chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures, will outline the studio’s approach to integrating traditional filmmaking with interactive experiences, while David Lee, CFO of Webtoon, will provide a financial perspective on the booming digital comics market and its crossover potential with gaming and animation.
Additional speakers include senior executives from Amazon Prime Video, the Los Angeles Dodgers, Disney, and Regal Global Entertainment, ensuring that attendees receive a panoramic view of the entertainment landscape from both the digital and physical realms. Representatives from major talent agencies—Creative Artists Agency (CAA), United Talent Agency (UTA), and Verve Talent & Literary Agency—will also be present, highlighting the importance of talent management and representation in an era where content creators often wear multiple hats. The event will be open to both in‑person and virtual participants, offering flexibility for busy executives and industry professionals worldwide. Tickets are already on sale, and GamesIndustry.biz readers are eligible for a 20 % discount by applying the promotional code GIB20 at checkout or by following the dedicated discount link provided by the organizers.
This reduced rate is intended to encourage broader participation from the gaming community, ensuring that the dialogue reflects the full spectrum of voices shaping the future of entertainment. Overall, the FT Business of Entertainment Summit promises to be a pivotal gathering where the boundaries between games, film, television, live sport, and emerging technologies will be examined, challenged, and redefined. By bringing together leaders from EA, Tencent, Netflix, Sony, Disney, and a host of other influential firms, the conference aims to foster collaboration, spark innovative ideas, and chart a roadmap for the next generation of entertainment experiences.