The Financial Times has announced the full roster of senior‑level speakers for its upcoming Business of Entertainment Summit, which will take place in Los Angeles this September. Among the notable additions are senior representatives from the video‑game powerhouses Electronic Arts (EA) and Tencent Games, who will share the stage with top executives 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 summit, working alongside its parent organization, IGNE Entertainment, to bring the event to a wider audience. The summit is billed as a deep dive into the "forces reshaping entertainment," and it aims to convene thought leaders from every corner of the entertainment ecosystem.
Attendees will explore a broad spectrum of subjects, ranging from the evolving dynamics of media dealmaking and the construction of franchise ecosystems, to the global cultural impact of entertainment properties, the rise of live‑event experiences, the potential of artificial intelligence to enhance fan interaction, and the future pathways for monetising content in an increasingly digital world. One of the highlighted panels will feature David Tinson, President and Chief Operating Officer of EA, who will discuss cross‑medium entertainment strategies. He will be joined by senior figures from Universal Entertainment and narrative‑driven production company Madison Wells, offering a multi‑disciplinary perspective on how video‑games, film, and television can intersect to create richer, more immersive stories. In a separate session, Tian Xiao, Head of North American Partnerships at Tencent Games, will address the growing global influence of Asian cultural exports, examining how Chinese and broader Asian gaming content is gaining traction in Western markets and what that means for creators and distributors worldwide.
Keynote speakers for the event include Bela Bajaria, Chief Content Officer at Netflix, who will likely share insights on the streaming giant’s content strategy and its approach to original programming. 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 provide a perspective on the studio’s film and television initiatives, while David Lee, CFO of Webtoon, will speak about the financial models underpinning digital comics and their adaptation into other media forms. The summit’s agenda also features a diverse lineup of speakers from Amazon Prime Video, the Los Angeles Dodgers, Disney, and Regal Global Entertainment, among others. This breadth ensures that participants will hear from both legacy media institutions and newer, digitally native platforms, fostering a dialogue that reflects the hybrid nature of today’s entertainment landscape. In addition to the main speakers, the event will draw executives from a host of other influential companies, including EA, Pokémon, Apple, Netflix, Sony Pictures, and Paramount Pictures.
Representatives from leading talent agencies such as Creative Artists Agency (CAA), United Talent Agency (UTA), and Verve Talent & Literary Agency will also be present, providing a window into the talent side of the industry and how agencies are navigating the shifting terrain of content creation and distribution. Tickets for the Business of Entertainment Summit are now on sale, with options for both virtual participation and in‑person attendance at the West Hollywood venue. GamesIndustry.biz readers are eligible for a special 20 percent discount on the registration fee.
To claim the discount, readers can use the promotional code GIB20 during checkout or follow the dedicated discount link provided by GamesIndustry.biz. This reduced rate is intended to make the summit more accessible to professionals and enthusiasts who follow the gaming sector and wish to engage with the broader entertainment conversation. Overall, the summit promises to be a pivotal gathering for anyone interested in the intersection of gaming, film, television, streaming, sports, and live entertainment.
By bringing together a cross‑section of industry leaders, the event will illuminate the trends that are redefining how audiences consume content, how creators monetize their work, and how technology—particularly AI—will shape the next generation of fan experiences. Whether attending in person or online, participants can expect to leave with fresh insights, valuable networking opportunities, and a clearer understanding of the strategic directions that will dominate the entertainment industry in the years ahead.