The Financial Times has announced the senior‑level roster for its upcoming Business of Entertainment Summit, which will 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 senior executives from traditional linear‑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 event, working alongside its parent organization, IGNE Entertainment, to bring the gathering to a wider audience.
The summit’s overarching theme is "the forces reshaping entertainment," and it is designed to convene leaders from every corner of the entertainment ecosystem. Attendees will explore a wide array of topics that are currently redefining how content is created, distributed, and monetised. Key discussion points include the evolving landscape of media dealmaking, the intricate dynamics of franchise ecosystems, the growing global cultural influence of entertainment brands, the resurgence of live‑event experiences, the emerging role of artificial intelligence in crafting fan‑centric interactions, and the future pathways for monetising content across multiple platforms.
David Tinson will sit on a panel titled "Cross‑Medium Entertainment," where he will join peers from Universal Entertainment and narrative‑production studio Madison Wells to examine how stories can flow seamlessly between games, film, television and emerging digital formats. The conversation is expected to highlight case studies where intellectual property has been successfully leveraged across different media, the strategic considerations behind such expansions, and the potential revenue streams that arise when a single narrative universe spans multiple channels. Tian Xiao will contribute to a separate session focused on the "Global Rise of Asia’s Cultural Exports." In this forum, he will discuss how Asian‑origin games and media properties are gaining traction worldwide, the strategic partnerships that enable these titles to break into Western markets, and the cultural nuances that influence consumer reception. His insights will be particularly valuable as the industry continues to witness a surge in demand for Asian‑driven content, from mobile games to streaming series.
The summit’s keynote lineup is equally impressive. Bela Bajaria, Chief Content Officer at Netflix, will open the event with a perspective on how streaming giants are adapting to a fragmented audience landscape and the importance of original storytelling in retaining subscriber loyalty. Mark Shapiro, President and COO of TKO Group, will address the convergence of sports, combat entertainment, and traditional media, outlining how live‑event experiences can be integrated with digital platforms to create hybrid entertainment offerings. Ravi Ahuja, Chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures, will share Sony’s approach to navigating the shifting tides of theatrical releases, streaming partnerships, and the integration of gaming IPs into cinematic universes.
David Lee, CFO of Webtoon, will provide a financial lens on the burgeoning web‑comic market and its potential to serve as a springboard for cross‑media adaptations. Additional speakers include senior leaders from Amazon Prime Video, the Los Angeles Dodgers, Disney, and Regal Global Entertainment, each bringing a unique viewpoint on how their respective sectors are evolving in response to consumer demand and technological innovation. Representatives from major talent agencies—Creative Artists Agency (CAA), United Talent Agency (UTA), and Verve Talent & Literary Agency—will also be on hand, offering insights into talent management and the negotiation of multi‑platform deals. The summit promises ample networking opportunities, with executives from companies such as EA, Pokémon, Apple, Netflix, Sony Pictures, and Paramount slated to attend.
Attendees will also have the chance to interact with talent‑agency professionals, fostering connections that could lead to future collaborations across film, television, gaming, and live entertainment. Tickets are currently on sale for both virtual participation and in‑person attendance at the West Hollywood venue. GamesIndustry.biz readers are eligible for a 20 percent discount by applying the promotional code GIB20 at checkout or by following the dedicated discount link provided by the event organizers.
This reduced rate aims to encourage broader participation from the gaming community and ensure that the dialogue reflects a truly cross‑industry perspective. Overall, the FT Business of Entertainment Summit aims to serve as a catalyst for conversation and collaboration among the leading minds shaping the future of entertainment. By bringing together executives from both the interactive and linear media worlds, the event underscores the increasingly blurred boundaries between games, film, television, sports, and live experiences, and it highlights the shared challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for the entire ecosystem.