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 notable additions are representatives from two of the world’s biggest video‑game publishers, Electronic Arts (EA) and Tencent Games, who will share the stage with a line‑up that already includes heavyweight names from the traditional media sector 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, helping to spread the word to the broader gaming community. The summit’s central theme is "the forces reshaping entertainment," and it is designed to bring together decision‑makers from every corner of the entertainment ecosystem.
Participants will explore a broad array of topics that are currently redefining how audiences consume content and how creators monetize their work. Discussion points will range from the evolving landscape of media dealmaking and the construction of franchise ecosystems, to the growing global cultural influence of entertainment brands, the future of live‑event experiences, the role of artificial intelligence in enhancing fan interaction, and new models for content monetisation in an increasingly digital world. One of the highlighted panels will feature David Tinson, who serves as President and Chief Operating Officer at EA.
Tinson will join executives from Universal Entertainment and narrative‑driven production house Madison Wells to examine cross‑medium storytelling and how games, film, and television can intersect to create richer, more immersive experiences for consumers. In a separate session, Tian Xiao, Head of North American Partnerships at Tencent Games, will discuss the rapid ascent of Asian cultural exports on the global stage, offering insight into how Chinese gaming studios are influencing trends beyond their domestic market. Keynote speakers at the summit include Bela Bajaria, Chief Content Officer at Netflix, who will likely share the streaming giant’s strategy for staying ahead in a crowded market; Mark Shapiro, President and COO of TKO Group, who will provide a perspective on the convergence of sports, combat entertainment, and media; Ravi Ahuja, Chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures, who will discuss the studio’s approach to franchise development and international expansion; and David Lee, Chief Financial Officer of Webtoon, who will speak about the monetisation of digital comics and the synergies between web‑based storytelling and other entertainment formats. Beyond the featured speakers, the event will host a diverse mix of industry leaders from Amazon Prime Video, the Los Angeles Dodgers, Disney, and Regal Global Entertainment, among others.
Representatives from leading talent agencies—including Creative Artists Agency (CAA), United Talent Agency (UTA), and Verve Talent & Literary Agency—will also be present, underscoring the summit’s emphasis on the interconnected nature of content creation, distribution, and talent management. Attendees will have the option to join the summit either in person, enjoying the networking opportunities that come with face‑to‑face interaction in West Hollywood’s vibrant conference venues, or virtually, via a digital platform that will stream all panels and keynotes live. For readers of GamesIndustry.biz, the organizers are offering a special 20 percent discount on ticket purchases.
The promotional code GIB20 can be applied at checkout, or participants can follow a dedicated link provided by the publication to claim the reduced rate. The Business of Entertainment Summit promises to be a pivotal gathering for anyone interested in the future of media and interactive entertainment. By assembling leaders from both the gaming world and traditional media powerhouses, the event aims to foster cross‑industry dialogue that can spark innovative collaborations, reveal emerging revenue streams, and highlight the cultural shifts that are reshaping how stories are told and consumed across the globe. Whether you are a studio executive, a content creator, a technology provider, or an investor looking to understand the next wave of entertainment trends, the summit offers a comprehensive forum for insight, networking, and strategic foresight.
In addition to the formal sessions, the summit will feature informal networking breaks, interactive workshops, and opportunities for one‑on‑one meetings with speakers and agency representatives. These ancillary activities are designed to deepen relationships and allow participants to explore potential partnerships in a more relaxed setting. As the entertainment landscape continues to blur the lines between games, film, television, and live experiences, gatherings like this provide a rare chance to see the big picture and to hear directly from the architects shaping the industry's future.
For those interested in attending, tickets are currently on sale and can be purchased through the event’s official website. The discount code GIB20 is valid for a limited time, so readers are encouraged to act quickly if they wish to secure a reduced price. Whether you choose to attend in person and soak up the energy of Los Angeles’s entertainment hub, or prefer to join remotely from the comfort of your own office, the Business of Entertainment Summit promises a rich program that will deliver valuable insights into the forces driving change across the global entertainment ecosystem.