The Financial Times has announced the senior‑level roster for its forthcoming Business of Entertainment Summit, set to take place in Los Angeles this September. Among the most notable additions are representatives from the video‑game world – David Tinson, President and Chief Operating Officer of Electronic Arts, and Tian Xiao, Head of North American Partnerships for Tencent Games – who will sit alongside a distinguished line‑up of 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 conference, working in conjunction with its parent organization, IGNE Entertainment. The summit’s purpose is to explore the "forces reshaping entertainment" and to bring together decision‑makers from every corner of the industry – from film and television to interactive gaming, live events and emerging technologies.
Attendees will debate a broad spectrum of topics, including the evolving landscape of media dealmaking, the construction and management of franchise ecosystems, the growing global cultural influence of entertainment brands, the future of live‑experience productions, the role of artificial intelligence in enhancing fan engagement, and new models for monetising content in an increasingly fragmented market. David Tinson will appear on a panel focused on cross‑medium entertainment, sharing insights on how EA is leveraging its rich portfolio of gaming IPs to create experiences that span movies, television series, merchandise and live events. He will be joined by executives from Universal Entertainment and narrative‑driven production house Madison Wells, fostering a dialogue on the synergies that arise when game designers, film studios and storytellers collaborate. Meanwhile, Tian Xiao will contribute to a discussion on the worldwide surge of Asian cultural exports, examining how Tencent Games is helping to propel Asian‑origin games and media into new markets across North America and Europe, and what this means for the balance of creative influence on the global stage.
Keynote speakers at the event include Bela Bajaria, Chief Content Officer at Netflix, who will outline the streaming giant’s strategy for integrating interactive content and original storytelling; Mark Shapiro, President and COO of TKO Group, who will speak about the convergence of sports, combat entertainment and digital media; Ravi Ahuja, Chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures, who will provide perspective on the studio’s approach to franchise development and cross‑platform storytelling; and David Lee, Chief Financial Officer of Webtoon, who will discuss the monetisation of digital comics and the potential for adaptation into other media formats. Additional speakers feature senior leaders from Amazon Prime Video, the Los Angeles Dodgers, Disney, and Regal Global Entertainment, ensuring that the conversation captures the full breadth of the entertainment ecosystem. Representatives from major talent agencies – Creative Artists Agency (CAA), United Talent Agency (UTA) and Verve Talent & Literary Agency – will also be present, highlighting the pivotal role that talent representation plays in negotiating the increasingly complex deals that span multiple media formats.
The summit will be held in West Hollywood, a hub of creative activity that reflects the event’s focus on innovation and collaboration. Both virtual and in‑person attendance options are available, allowing participants from around the world to join the dialogue.
GamesIndustry.biz readers are eligible for a special 20 percent discount on tickets by using the promotional code GIB20 or by following the dedicated discount link provided on the event’s registration page. In addition to the formal sessions, the summit will feature networking opportunities, exhibitor showcases and interactive demonstrations that illustrate how AI, augmented reality and other cutting‑edge technologies are being applied to create more immersive fan experiences. Attendees can expect to leave with a deeper understanding of how traditional media companies are adapting to the rise of interactive entertainment, how game developers are expanding their reach beyond consoles and PCs, and how cross‑industry partnerships are becoming essential for building sustainable, globally resonant entertainment brands.
Overall, the Business of Entertainment Summit promises to be a landmark gathering for anyone involved in the creation, distribution or monetisation of entertainment content. By bringing together leaders from the worlds of gaming, streaming, cinema, sports and live events, the conference aims to chart a roadmap for the next decade of entertainment – one in which boundaries blur, audiences become more engaged, and new revenue streams emerge from the convergence of technology and storytelling.