The Financial Times has announced the senior‑level roster for its upcoming Business of Entertainment Summit, scheduled to take place in Los Angeles this September. Among the 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 distinguished line‑up of 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 event, working in conjunction with its parent organization, IGNE Entertainment. 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.
Attendees will explore a broad array of subjects, 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‑event experiences, the role artificial intelligence may play in enhancing fan interaction, and emerging models for monetising content across platforms. David Tinson will take part in a panel focused on cross‑medium storytelling, sharing insights alongside leaders from Universal Entertainment and narrative‑driven production house Madison Wells.
The discussion is expected to examine how intellectual property can flow seamlessly between games, film, television, and emerging digital formats, creating richer experiences for audiences worldwide. Tian Xiao, meanwhile, will contribute to a session that examines the worldwide surge of Asian cultural exports. His perspective will highlight how games developed in the region are influencing global trends, and how partnerships between Asian studios and Western distributors are accelerating the diffusion of Asian‑origin content.
Keynote speakers at the summit include Bela Bajaria, Chief Content Officer at Netflix, who will likely address the streaming giant’s strategy for original programming and its impact on global viewing habits. Mark Shapiro, President and COO of TKO Group, will discuss the convergence of sports, combat entertainment, and media distribution.
Ravi Ahuja, Chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures, will share his vision for the studio’s future in an increasingly competitive market, while David Lee, Chief Financial Officer of Webtoon, will provide a financial perspective on the rapid growth of digital comics and their integration with other media forms. In addition to the headline speakers, the agenda features a broad spectrum of participants from Amazon Prime Video, the Los Angeles Dodgers, Disney, and Regal Global Entertainment, among others. Executives representing major 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, representation, and distribution. The event will be accessible both in person and via a digital platform, allowing a global audience to engage with the conversations.
Tickets are currently on sale, and 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 organizers. This discount is intended to encourage industry professionals and enthusiasts alike to participate in a dialogue that promises to shape the next decade of entertainment.
Beyond the scheduled panels and keynotes, the summit will host networking sessions, interactive workshops, and exhibition spaces where emerging technologies—such as virtual reality, augmented reality, and AI‑driven content tools—will be showcased. Participants can expect to gain actionable insights into how to leverage these technologies to create immersive fan experiences, streamline production pipelines, and unlock new revenue streams.
The inclusion of EA and Tencent Games signals a growing recognition that interactive entertainment is no longer a peripheral segment but a core driver of cultural trends and economic value. EA’s extensive portfolio of live‑service titles and Tencent’s expansive reach across Asian markets position both companies as pivotal voices in discussions about global franchise development and cross‑border collaboration.
Their presence alongside legacy media firms illustrates the increasingly blurred lines between gaming, film, television, and live performance. Overall, the Business of Entertainment Summit aims to serve as a catalyst for innovation, fostering collaboration among creators, distributors, investors, and talent representatives.
By convening leaders from such a diverse set of backgrounds, the Financial Times hopes to surface fresh ideas, identify emerging challenges, and chart a shared path forward for an industry that is constantly evolving in response to technological advances and shifting consumer preferences. Attendees will leave with a deeper understanding of how to navigate the complex, multi‑platform environment that defines modern entertainment, and with concrete strategies for driving growth and engagement in their respective domains.