The Financial Times has announced the roster of senior executives who will appear at its upcoming Business of Entertainment Summit, set to take place in Los Angeles this September. Among the speakers are high‑profile 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 – 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, together with its parent organization IGNE Entertainment, serves as a promotional partner for the event. The summit is designed to explore the "forces reshaping entertainment" and will gather decision‑makers from the full spectrum of the industry – from film and television studios to interactive game developers, live‑event promoters and emerging technology firms.
Over the course of the two‑day program, participants will debate a wide array of subjects that are redefining how content is created, distributed and monetised. Topics include the evolving landscape of media dealmaking, the construction and management of franchise ecosystems, the growing global cultural influence of Asian entertainment, the integration of live‑experience formats, the promise and pitfalls of artificial intelligence in crafting fan‑centric experiences, and the next generation of revenue models for digital and physical content.
One of the highlighted panels will focus on cross‑medium entertainment, where David Tinson will sit alongside senior figures from Universal Entertainment and narrative‑driven production company Madison Wells. The discussion will examine how intellectual property can flow seamlessly between games, movies, series and other formats, creating synergistic ecosystems that maximise audience engagement and lifetime value. In a separate session, Tian Xiao will address the rapid ascent of Asian cultural exports on the world stage, offering insights into how Tencent Games is leveraging partnerships, localized content strategies and innovative publishing models to capture audiences beyond the region.
Keynote addresses will feature some of the most influential voices in modern media. Bela Bajaria, Chief Content Officer at Netflix, will outline the streaming giant’s strategy for sustaining a pipeline of original programming while navigating intensifying competition.
Mark Shapiro, President and COO of TKO Group, will discuss the convergence of sports, combat entertainment and digital media, highlighting the role of live events in driving fan loyalty. Ravi Ahuja, Chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures, will share perspectives on the studio’s approach to integrating cinematic storytelling with interactive experiences. David Lee, CFO of Webtoon, will provide a financial outlook on the booming market for digital comics and their potential to serve as source material for multi‑platform franchises.
The summit’s speaker list also includes senior executives from Amazon Prime Video, the Los Angeles Dodgers, Disney, and Regal Global Entertainment, ensuring a broad representation of the entertainment ecosystem. Attendees will have the opportunity to network with representatives from leading talent agencies such as Creative Artists Agency (CAA), United Talent Agency (UTA) and Verve Talent & Literary Agency, as well as with senior figures from companies like Pokémon, Apple, Paramount and other major players.
Tickets for the event are now on sale, with options for both virtual participation and in‑person attendance at the West Hollywood venue. GamesIndustry.biz readers enjoy an exclusive 20 % discount when they use the promotional code GIB20 at checkout or follow the dedicated discount link provided by the publication.
This reduced rate makes it easier for professionals, analysts and enthusiasts in the gaming sector to join a conversation that bridges the gap between interactive and traditional media, fostering collaborations that could shape the future of entertainment for years to come. Overall, the Business of Entertainment Summit promises to be a pivotal gathering where the boundaries between games, film, television, sports and emerging technologies are examined, challenged and reimagined. By bringing together CEOs, COOs, content chiefs and financial leaders from both the digital and linear realms, the event aims to generate actionable insights and forge partnerships that will drive the next wave of creative and commercial innovation across the global entertainment landscape.