The Financial Times has announced the roster of senior executives who will appear at its upcoming Business of Entertainment Summit, scheduled to take place in Los Angeles this September. The line‑up now includes high‑profile representatives from the video‑game sector, specifically David Tinson, President and Chief Operating Officer of Electronic Arts (EA), and Tian Xiao, Head of North American Partnerships for Tencent Games.
These two gaming heavyweights will share the stage with a diverse group of leaders drawn from traditional linear‑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 in conjunction with its parent organization, IGNE Entertainment, to bring the event to a broader audience of industry professionals.
The summit’s overarching theme is "the forces reshaping entertainment," and it is designed to convene decision‑makers from every corner of the entertainment ecosystem. Attendees will explore a wide 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 management of franchise ecosystems, the growing global cultural influence of entertainment brands, the resurgence of live‑event experiences, the emerging role of artificial intelligence in crafting fan‑centric experiences, and the future pathways for monetising content across multiple platforms. During the conference, David Tinson will sit on a panel dedicated to cross‑medium entertainment.
This discussion will bring together executives from Universal Entertainment as well as representatives from narrative‑driven production company Madison Wells. The panel will examine how intellectual property can flow seamlessly between games, movies, television series, and emerging formats, and how companies can leverage these synergies to deepen audience engagement and extend revenue streams. Tian Xiao will contribute to a separate session focused on the worldwide ascent of Asian cultural exports. His perspective will shed light on how Asian developers and publishers are increasingly shaping global tastes, the strategic partnerships that enable these markets to reach Western audiences, and the regulatory and localisation challenges that accompany such expansion.
The summit’s keynote roster is equally impressive. Bela Bajaria, Chief Content Officer at Netflix, will deliver a keynote address that is expected to outline the streaming giant’s vision for the next decade, including its investment strategies in original storytelling and its approach to integrating interactive content. Mark Shapiro, President and COO of TKO Group, will discuss the convergence of sports, combat entertainment, and media, highlighting how live‑event spectacles can be packaged for digital consumption. Sony Pictures’ Chairman and CEO, Ravi Ahuja, will share insights on the studio’s global franchise strategy, while David Lee, Chief Financial Officer of Webtoon, will provide a financial perspective on the booming market for digital comics and the opportunities they present for cross‑platform adaptation.
Additional speakers will represent a broad spectrum of the entertainment world, including senior figures from Amazon Prime Video, the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball franchise, Disney, and Regal Global Entertainment. Executives from companies such as EA, The Pokémon Company, Apple, Netflix, Sony Pictures, and Paramount will also be in attendance, creating a fertile networking environment for cross‑industry collaboration.
Talent‑agency representatives from leading firms like Creative Artists Agency (CAA), United Talent Agency (UTA), and Verve Talent & Literary Agency will be on hand, underscoring the importance of talent management in the new entertainment paradigm. The summit offers both virtual and in‑person attendance options, allowing participants to choose the format that best suits their needs.
For readers of GamesIndustry.biz, a special 20 % discount is available. The promotional code GIB20 can be applied at checkout, or attendees can use the dedicated discount link provided by the site. This reduced rate is intended to make the event more accessible to professionals who are actively shaping the future of games and broader entertainment media. Overall, the Business of Entertainment Summit promises to be a comprehensive forum where leaders from gaming, streaming, film, sports, and live‑event sectors can exchange ideas, forge partnerships, and explore the technological and cultural trends that are redefining how audiences consume entertainment.
By bringing together such a varied group of stakeholders, the summit aims to foster a deeper understanding of the interconnected nature of modern media and to identify actionable strategies that will drive growth and innovation across the entire entertainment value chain.