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 most 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 share the stage with 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 alongside its parent organization, IGNE Entertainment. The summit is billed as a deep‑dive into the "forces reshaping entertainment," and it aims to convene top decision‑makers from every corner of the entertainment ecosystem.
Topics on the agenda include the evolving landscape of media dealmaking, the construction and management of franchise ecosystems, the expanding global cultural influence of entertainment brands, the future of live‑event experiences, the role of artificial intelligence in crafting fan‑centric interactions, and new models for content monetisation. By bringing together leaders from gaming, film, television, sports, and live‑performance sectors, the conference hopes to surface cross‑industry insights that can guide the next wave of creative and commercial strategies.
David Tinson will sit on a panel that examines cross‑medium entertainment, joining peers from Universal Entertainment and narrative‑driven production house Madison Wells. The discussion will explore how intellectual property can flow seamlessly between games, movies, TV series, and emerging formats, and what operational, creative, and financial considerations arise when a franchise expands beyond its original medium. Tian Xiao will contribute to a separate session focused on the global surge of Asian cultural exports, highlighting how games, music, film, and other media from the region are gaining traction worldwide and reshaping consumer preferences.
Keynote speakers feature a powerhouse of industry talent. Bela Bajaria, Chief Content Officer at Netflix, will address the streaming giant's approach to original programming and its strategies for staying ahead in a crowded market. Mark Shapiro, President and COO of TKO Group, will discuss the convergence of sports, combat entertainment, and digital media.
Ravi Ahuja, Chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures, will share insights on studio operations, global distribution, and the integration of gaming IPs into cinematic storytelling. David Lee, CFO of Webtoon, will provide a financial perspective on the rapid growth of digital comics and their potential to feed into larger media ecosystems. Additional speakers include senior leaders from Amazon Prime Video, the Los Angeles Dodgers, Disney, and Regal Global Entertainment, ensuring that the conversation reflects the full spectrum of modern entertainment—from on‑demand streaming and blockbuster filmmaking to live sports and theatrical exhibition. Executives representing iconic brands such as EA, Pokémon, Apple, Netflix, Sony Pictures and Paramount will also be present, alongside talent‑agency representatives from Creative Artists Agency (CAA), United Talent Agency (UTA) and Verve Talent & Literary Agency.
Their participation underscores the importance of talent representation and partnership in navigating the increasingly interconnected entertainment landscape. The summit offers both virtual and in‑person attendance options, allowing participants to choose the format that best fits their schedule and preferences. For readers of GamesIndustry.biz, a special 20 percent discount is available when registering with the promotional code GIB20 or by following the dedicated discount link provided in the announcement. This reduced rate is intended to encourage broader participation from professionals within the gaming community, ensuring that their perspectives are well‑represented alongside those from film, television, sports and other sectors.
Overall, the Business of Entertainment Summit promises to be a pivotal gathering for anyone interested in the future direction of media and entertainment. By assembling a diverse mix of senior executives, creative leaders, and agency representatives, the event will facilitate high‑level dialogue on how to harness emerging technologies, capitalize on global cultural trends, and develop sustainable revenue models in an era of rapid change. Whether you are a studio executive, a game developer, a streaming platform strategist, or a talent agent, the summit offers a unique forum to network, learn, and shape the next chapter of the entertainment industry.