The Financial Times has announced the senior‑level roster for its upcoming Business of Entertainment Summit, which will convene 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 sit alongside a line‑up of high‑profile executives 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 gathering, working in concert with its parent organization, IGNE Entertainment. The summit is billed as a deep‑dive into the "forces reshaping entertainment," a phrase that captures the breadth of topics the event intends to explore. Attendees will hear insights on everything from the evolving landscape of media dealmaking and the construction of franchise ecosystems to the growing global cultural sway of entertainment brands.
Additional sessions will examine the rise of live‑event experiences, the potential of artificial intelligence to enhance fan interaction, and the future pathways for monetising content across multiple platforms. David Tinson will take part in a panel that examines cross‑medium entertainment, sharing the stage with leaders from Universal Entertainment and narrative‑driven production house Madison Wells. The discussion is expected to probe how video‑games, film, television, and emerging digital formats can intersect to create richer, more immersive storytelling experiences.
Tian Xiao, meanwhile, will contribute to a separate panel focused on the worldwide surge of Asian cultural exports. His perspective will shed light on how Tencent Games is leveraging partnerships in North America to amplify the reach of Asian‑originated IPs and how this trend is reshaping consumer preferences on a global scale.
The summit’s keynote roster includes some of the most influential voices in contemporary media. Bela Bajaria, Chief Content Officer at Netflix, will address the streaming giant’s strategy for original programming and its role in shaping viewing habits worldwide. Mark Shapiro, President and COO of TKO Group, will discuss the convergence of sports, combat entertainment, and digital media under a unified corporate umbrella. Ravi Ahuja, Chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures, is slated to share insights on the studio’s approach to integrating film, television, and interactive entertainment.
David Lee, Chief Financial Officer of Webtoon, will provide a financial perspective on the burgeoning market for digital comics and their cross‑platform potential. Beyond the keynote speakers, the agenda features a wide array of panelists and industry veterans.
Representatives from Amazon Prime Video, the Los Angeles Dodgers, Disney, and Regal Global Entertainment will contribute to conversations about content distribution, fan engagement, and the economics of live versus virtual experiences. Executives from companies such as EA, Pokémon, Apple, Netflix, Sony Pictures, and Paramount are also confirmed to attend, ensuring a comprehensive view of the entertainment ecosystem. Talent agencies play a pivotal role in the modern entertainment economy, and the summit reflects that reality. Attendees will include senior figures from Creative Artists Agency (CAA), United Talent Agency (UTA), and Verve Talent & Literary Agency, offering perspectives on talent representation, deal structuring, and the negotiation of intellectual‑property rights across media formats.
The event is designed to accommodate both in‑person participants and those who prefer to join remotely. Tickets are currently on sale for both formats, and GamesIndustry.biz readers enjoy a special benefit: a 20 percent discount when they apply the promotional code GIB20 at checkout or follow the dedicated discount link provided by the organizer. This discount aims to make the summit more accessible to professionals who regularly cover or work within the gaming sector, encouraging a richer dialogue between games and broader entertainment industries.
Overall, the Business of Entertainment Summit promises to be a pivotal forum for examining how the lines between gaming, streaming, film, sports, and live events are increasingly blurred. By gathering senior executives from both legacy media firms and leading interactive entertainment companies, the summit will illuminate collaborative opportunities, highlight emerging revenue models, and explore how technology—particularly AI—can be harnessed to deliver more personalized and engaging fan experiences. For anyone interested in the future trajectory of global entertainment, the summit offers a unique chance to hear directly from the decision‑makers shaping that future.