The Financial Times has announced the roster of senior leaders who will take the stage at its upcoming Business of Entertainment Summit, set to convene in Los Angeles this September. Among the marquee names are top executives from the video‑game world—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 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, collaborating with its parent organization IGNE Entertainment to bring the event to a broader audience.
The summit’s core mission is to explore the "forces reshaping entertainment," a theme that captures the rapid convergence of film, television, gaming, live events, and emerging technologies. Attendees will hear from leaders across the entire entertainment ecosystem as they dissect current trends in media dealmaking, the construction and management of franchise ecosystems, the expanding global cultural footprint of content, the evolution of live‑event experiences, the role of artificial intelligence in crafting fan‑centric interactions, and the future pathways for monetising creative output. One of the featured panels will spotlight cross‑medium storytelling, with David Tinson representing EA. He will join representatives from Universal Entertainment and the narrative‑driven production studio Madison Wells to discuss how intellectual property can flow fluidly between games, movies, series, and even theme‑park attractions.
The conversation is expected to highlight case studies where a video‑game franchise has been successfully adapted into a streaming series, and vice‑versa, illustrating the commercial and creative benefits of such synergy. Tian Xiao will take the stage on a separate panel devoted to the surge of Asian cultural exports on a global scale. In his role at Tencent Games, Xiao has overseen partnerships that bring Chinese‑developed titles to North American markets and vice‑versa. The discussion will examine how Asian creators are influencing worldwide tastes, the challenges of localisation, and the strategic importance of co‑development agreements that bridge cultural gaps.
Keynote speakers further elevate the summit’s prestige. Bela Bajaria, Chief Content Officer at Netflix, will share insights on the streaming giant’s content strategy and its impact on the broader entertainment landscape. Mark Shapiro, President and COO of TKO Group, will address the integration of combat sports and scripted entertainment under a single corporate umbrella. Ravi Ahuja, Chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures, will discuss the studio’s approach to franchise development and international distribution.
Additionally, David Lee, CFO of Webtoon, will provide a financial perspective on the booming market for digital comics and their adaptation potential. Beyond the headline names, the summit will feature a diverse array of participants from Amazon Prime Video, the Los Angeles Dodgers, Disney, and Regal Global Entertainment, among others. Representatives from major talent agencies—including Creative Artists Agency (CAA), United Talent Agency (UTA), and Verve Talent & Literary Agency—will also be present, underscoring the event’s role as a networking hub for creators, financiers, and distributors. Tickets for the Business of Entertainment Summit are now on sale, with options for both virtual attendance and in‑person participation at the West Hollywood venue.
GamesIndustry.biz readers enjoy a special benefit: a 20 percent discount on the registration fee when they apply the promotional code GIB20 or follow the dedicated discount link provided by the publication. This reduced rate aims to make the summit more accessible to professionals and enthusiasts who follow the gaming industry closely. The summit arrives at a pivotal moment for the entertainment sector.
The past few years have seen unprecedented cross‑pollination between gaming and traditional media, driven by advances in real‑time rendering, cloud streaming, and immersive storytelling techniques. Audiences now expect seamless experiences that span multiple platforms, and companies are scrambling to build the infrastructure—both technological and organisational—to meet those expectations. Artificial intelligence, in particular, is poised to become a game‑changer.
Panels will explore how AI can streamline content creation, personalize fan engagement, and even generate new narrative pathways. Speakers will debate ethical considerations, the balance between automation and human creativity, and the potential for AI‑driven analytics to inform licensing and merchandising decisions. Monetisation strategies will also be front and centre.
With subscription fatigue setting in and advertising models evolving, executives will share innovative approaches to revenue generation, such as hybrid subscription‑plus‑ad models, micro‑transactions embedded in narrative experiences, and the use of blockchain for digital collectibles. Overall, the Business of Entertainment Summit promises a comprehensive look at the forces reshaping how stories are told, distributed, and monetised across the globe. By bringing together leaders from gaming, film, television, live sports, and technology, the event offers a unique platform for dialogue, partnership formation, and forward‑thinking strategy development. Whether attending in person or joining remotely, participants will leave with a deeper understanding of the interconnected future of entertainment and actionable insights to apply within their own organisations.