The Financial Times has announced the roster of senior executives who will appear at its forthcoming Business of Entertainment Summit, scheduled to take place in Los Angeles this September. Among the speakers representing the interactive‑gaming sector are senior figures from Electronic Arts (EA) and Tencent Games, who will join a distinguished lineup that also features 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 summit, working alongside its parent organization, IGNE Entertainment, to help spread the word about the event. The summit is billed as a deep‑dive into the "forces reshaping entertainment," and it aims to bring together decision‑makers from every corner of the entertainment ecosystem.
Attendees will explore a broad array of subjects that are currently redefining how content is created, distributed, and monetised. Topics on the agenda include the evolving landscape of media dealmaking, the construction and maintenance of franchise ecosystems, the growing global cultural impact of entertainment brands, the rise of live‑event experiences, the potential applications of artificial intelligence in enhancing fan engagement, and the future pathways for monetising digital and physical content. One of the highlighted panels will feature David Tinson, who serves as President and Chief Operating Officer of EA. Tinson will sit on a discussion focused on cross‑medium entertainment, sharing insights alongside representatives from Universal Entertainment and narrative‑driven production house Madison Wells.
Their conversation is expected to examine how video‑game IPs can be extended into film, television, and other formats, and how collaborative storytelling can unlock new revenue streams. Another notable session will see Tian Xiao, Head of North American Partnerships at Tencent Games, take the stage to talk about the accelerating global influence of Asian cultural exports. Xiao’s panel will address how Chinese and broader Asian gaming titles are breaking into Western markets, the strategic partnerships that facilitate that expansion, and the ways in which cultural nuances are being translated for diverse audiences.
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 platforms are reshaping content consumption patterns worldwide. Following her, Mark Shapiro, President and COO of TKO Group, will discuss the convergence of sports, combat entertainment, and mainstream media.
Ravi Ahuja, Chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures, will share insights on the studio’s approach to integrating gaming IPs into its film and television pipelines, while David Lee, Chief Financial Officer of Webtoon, will provide a financial outlook on the burgeoning world of digital comics and their synergy with interactive media. Additional speakers include senior executives from Amazon Prime Video, the Los Angeles Dodgers, Disney, and Regal Global Entertainment, each bringing a unique viewpoint on how their respective sectors are navigating the rapidly shifting entertainment terrain.
Representatives from major talent agencies—Creative Artists Agency (CAA), United Talent Agency (UTA), and Verve Talent & Literary Agency—will also be present, underscoring the importance of talent representation in the era of cross‑platform storytelling. The event will not only be a forum for high‑level discussion but also a networking hub where industry leaders can forge new collaborations. Executives from companies such as EA, Pokémon, Apple, Netflix, Sony Pictures and Paramount are slated to attend, offering ample opportunity for cross‑industry dialogue. The presence of talent‑agency delegates further ensures that conversations will touch on the creative and contractual dimensions of entertainment production.
Tickets for the summit are currently on sale and are available for both virtual participation and in‑person attendance at the West Hollywood venue. To encourage readership engagement, GamesIndustry.biz is offering its audience a 20% discount on the standard registration fee. Readers can claim the discount by entering the promotional code GIB20 at checkout or by following the dedicated discount link provided on the event’s registration page.
Overall, the Business of Entertainment Summit promises to be a comprehensive examination of the forces that are redefining how stories are told, experienced, and monetised across the globe. By gathering a diverse set of voices—from game developers and streaming giants to sports entertainment conglomerates and talent agencies—the summit aims to provide a panoramic view of the industry's present challenges and future opportunities. Whether you are a content creator, a media executive, a technology innovator, or a fan of entertainment culture, the event offers valuable insights into the evolving dynamics that will shape the next decade of entertainment.