The Financial Times has announced the full roster of senior executives who will appear at its upcoming Business of Entertainment Summit, slated for September in Los Angeles. Among the most notable additions are representatives from two of the world’s biggest video‑game powerhouses—Electronic Arts (EA) and Tencent Games—who will share the stage with high‑profile leaders from traditional media giants 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, to help spread the word to the broader gaming community. The summit is billed as a deep‑dive into the "forces reshaping entertainment," gathering top‑level decision‑makers from across the sprawling entertainment ecosystem to explore a range of timely topics. Attendees will examine the evolving landscape of media dealmaking, the intricate web of franchise ecosystems, the growing global cultural influence of entertainment brands, the future of live‑event experiences, the potential of artificial intelligence to enhance fan engagement, and new models for monetising content in an increasingly digital world.
One of the key panels will feature David Tinson, President and Chief Operating Officer of EA, who will sit alongside executives from Universal Entertainment and the narrative‑production studio Madison Wells. Their discussion, titled "Cross‑Medium Entertainment," will probe how video‑game IP can be leveraged across film, television, streaming and emerging formats, and how studios can collaborate to create seamless storytelling experiences that move audiences between platforms.
In a separate session, Tian Xiao, Head of North American Partnerships at Tencent Games, will address the "Global Rise of Asia’s Cultural Exports," highlighting how Chinese and broader Asian gaming titles are breaking into Western markets, the strategic partnerships that make such expansion possible, and the cultural nuances that shape consumer reception worldwide. The summit’s keynote lineup is equally impressive. Bela Bajaria, Chief Content Officer at Netflix, will share insights on the streaming giant’s content strategy and its approach to nurturing original franchises that resonate globally. Mark Shapiro, President and COO of TKO Group, will discuss the convergence of sports, combat entertainment and digital media, offering a perspective on how live‑event brands can thrive in an on‑demand environment.
Ravi Ahuja, Chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures, will outline the studio’s roadmap for integrating gaming talent and technology into its cinematic pipeline, while David Lee, Chief Financial Officer of Webtoon, will examine the financial mechanics behind digital comics and their crossover potential into games and screen adaptations. Beyond the headline speakers, the program includes a diverse slate of panelists from Amazon Prime Video, the Los Angeles Dodgers, Disney, Regal Global Entertainment and other influential firms. Executives representing iconic properties such as Pokémon, Apple’s entertainment divisions, and Paramount will also be on hand, providing a panoramic view of how legacy brands are reinventing themselves for the digital age.
Talent‑agency representatives from Creative Artists Agency (CAA), United Talent Agency (UTA) and Verve Talent & Literary Agency will join the conversation, shedding light on how talent representation is adapting to the blurring lines between gaming, film, music and live performance. The event is designed to be accessible to a broad audience. Tickets are currently on sale for both virtual participation and in‑person attendance at the West Hollywood venue. GamesIndustry.biz readers enjoy a special 20 percent discount when they enter the promotional code GIB20 at checkout, or they can follow a dedicated link provided by the publication to claim the reduced rate.
This discount is part of the partnership between GamesIndustry.biz and the Financial Times, aimed at encouraging more members of the gaming press and industry professionals to engage with the summit’s forward‑looking dialogue. Overall, the Business of Entertainment Summit promises to be a pivotal gathering for anyone interested in the intersection of gaming, streaming, sports, and live entertainment. By bringing together leaders from both the interactive and linear media sectors, the conference aims to foster collaboration, spark innovative ideas and chart a shared vision for the future of entertainment in an increasingly interconnected world. Whether you are a studio executive, a game developer, a content creator, or a media analyst, the summit offers a rare opportunity to hear directly from the architects shaping the next generation of entertainment experiences.