The Financial Times has announced the executive roster for its forthcoming Business of Entertainment Summit, slated to take place in Los Angeles this September. Among the notable additions are senior figures 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 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 in concert with its parent organization, IGNE Entertainment. The summit is designed to explore the "forces reshaping entertainment," gathering top decision‑makers from the entire media ecosystem to debate a range of timely subjects. 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 future of live‑event experiences, the role of artificial intelligence in enhancing fan interaction, and emerging models for content monetisation.
By convening stakeholders from film, television, gaming, sports, and live performance, the event aims to map out how these intersecting industries will co‑evolve over the next decade. David Tinson will sit on a panel titled "Cross‑Medium Entertainment," where he will discuss how game developers are collaborating with film studios and streaming services to create integrated storytelling experiences.
The discussion will also feature executives from Universal Entertainment and narrative‑driven production company Madison Wells, who will share insights on leveraging intellectual property across multiple platforms. Tian Xiao, meanwhile, will appear on a separate session focused on "The Global Rise of Asia’s Cultural Exports," examining how Asian creators and publishers are expanding their reach into Western markets and what that means for the worldwide entertainment economy. Keynote presentations will be delivered by some of the most influential names in the industry. Bela Bajaria, Chief Content Officer at Netflix, will outline the streaming giant’s strategy for original programming and its approach to nurturing global talent.
Mark Shapiro, President and COO of TKO Group, will speak about the convergence of sports, combat entertainment, and digital media. Sony Pictures Chairman and CEO Ravi Ahuja will provide a perspective on the studio’s film and television pipeline, while David Lee, Chief Financial Officer of Webtoon, will discuss the monetisation of digital comics and the potential for cross‑media adaptations. In addition to the headline speakers, the summit will feature a broad array of participants from companies such as Amazon Prime Video, the Los Angeles Dodgers, Disney, and Regal Global Entertainment. Representatives from major talent agencies—including Creative Artists Agency (CAA), United Talent Agency (UTA) and Verve Talent & Literary Agency—will also be on hand, offering a glimpse into how talent representation is adapting to a more fragmented, platform‑driven market.
The event will be accessible both in person and via a digital streaming option, allowing participants from around the world to join the conversation. For those who prefer to attend on site, tickets are currently on sale, and GamesIndustry.biz readers are eligible for a 20% discount by applying the promotional code GIB20 at checkout or by following the dedicated discount link provided by the organizer.
This reduced rate is intended to encourage a larger presence of gaming professionals, ensuring that the unique perspectives of the interactive sector are fully represented alongside traditional media voices. Overall, the Business of Entertainment Summit promises to be a pivotal gathering for anyone interested in the future of content creation, distribution, and consumption.
By bringing together leaders from gaming, streaming, film, sports, and live entertainment, the conference will foster cross‑industry dialogue that could shape strategic decisions for years to come. Attendees can expect not only high‑level panels and keynotes but also networking opportunities, breakout sessions, and informal discussions that delve deeper into the challenges and opportunities presented by rapid technological change, shifting consumer habits, and the increasingly global nature of entertainment. Whether you are a studio executive, a game developer, a content creator, or a talent agent, the summit offers a unique platform to learn, collaborate, and influence the direction of an industry that is constantly reinventing itself.