The Financial Times has announced the full 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 high‑profile speakers are representatives from two of the world’s biggest game‑making companies, Electronic Arts (EA) and 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 serves as a promotional partner for the gathering, working in conjunction with its parent organization, IGNE Entertainment, to help publicize the event.
The summit is framed around the theme “forces reshaping entertainment,” and it is designed to bring together decision‑makers from every corner of the entertainment ecosystem. Attendees will explore a wide array of subjects that are currently redefining how audiences consume content. Topics on the agenda include 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‑event experiences, the role of artificial intelligence in crafting more immersive fan interactions, and new models for monetising content in an increasingly digital world.
One of the highlighted panels will feature David Tinson, President and Chief Operating Officer of EA. Tinson will sit alongside senior figures from Universal Entertainment and the narrative‑driven production company Madison Wells to discuss cross‑medium entertainment strategies—how video games, movies, television series, and other formats can be woven together to create cohesive, multi‑platform storytelling experiences. In a separate session, Tian Xiao, who leads North American Partnerships at Tencent Games, will address the rapid ascent of Asian cultural exports on the global stage, examining how Chinese and broader Asian IPs are gaining traction worldwide and what that means for creators and distributors outside the region.
The keynote lineup is equally impressive. Bela Bajaria, Chief Content Officer at Netflix, will open the conversation with insights into the streaming giant’s content strategy and its impact on the broader media environment. Mark Shapiro, President and COO of TKO Group, will share perspectives on the convergence of sports, combat entertainment, and traditional media.
Ravi Ahuja, Chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures, will discuss the studio’s approach to integrating film, television, and interactive media, while David Lee, Chief Financial Officer of Webtoon, will provide a financial outlook on the burgeoning digital comics market and its synergies with other entertainment formats. Additional speakers include senior executives from Amazon Prime Video, the Los Angeles Dodgers, Disney, and Regal Global Entertainment, ensuring that the dialogue spans both the digital and the physical realms of entertainment. Representatives from major talent agencies such as Creative Artists Agency (CAA), United Talent Agency (UTA), and Verve Talent & Literary Agency will also be present, offering a glimpse into how talent representation is adapting to the changing demands of a multi‑platform industry.
The summit will not only feature panel discussions and keynote addresses but also provide networking opportunities for attendees to forge new partnerships and explore collaborative projects. Executives from a diverse set of companies—including EA, the Pokémon brand, Apple, Netflix, Sony Pictures, and Paramount—will be on hand, creating a fertile environment for cross‑industry dialogue. Tickets for the event are currently on sale, with options for both virtual participation and in‑person attendance at the West Hollywood venue.
GamesIndustry.biz readers are eligible for a 20 percent discount on the registration fee by applying the promotional code GIB20 at checkout or by following a dedicated discount link provided by the publisher. This special rate is intended to make the summit more accessible to professionals who are actively shaping the future of gaming and interactive entertainment. Overall, the Business of Entertainment Summit promises to be a landmark gathering where leaders from gaming, streaming, film, sports, and live‑event sectors can exchange ideas, benchmark best practices, and chart the next phase of entertainment evolution. Whether you are a studio executive, a game developer, a content creator, or a talent agent, the summit offers a unique platform to understand how the industry’s most influential forces are converging and what that convergence means for the creation, distribution, and monetisation of entertainment in the years ahead.