The Financial Times has announced the senior‑level roster for its forthcoming Business of Entertainment Summit, scheduled to 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 for Tencent Games. They will share the stage with a distinguished line‑up of executives 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 tandem with its parent organization, IGNE Entertainment. The summit’s overarching theme is "the forces reshaping entertainment," a broad umbrella that invites discussion on how technology, consumer habits, and global cultural shifts are redefining the way content is created, distributed, and monetised.
Attendees will explore a spectrum of topics, from high‑stakes media dealmaking and the intricacies of franchise ecosystems to the growing influence of Asian cultural exports, the evolution of live‑event experiences, the promise and pitfalls of artificial intelligence in fan engagement, and the future pathways for turning content into revenue. On the agenda, David Tinson will sit on a panel dedicated to cross‑medium entertainment.
The conversation will examine how video‑games, film, television, and emerging formats can intersect to form cohesive, multi‑platform storytelling experiences. He will be joined by senior figures from Universal Entertainment and narrative‑production studio Madison Wells, each bringing their own perspective on blending interactive and linear media.
Meanwhile, Tian Xiao will contribute to a separate discussion focusing on the global surge of Asian cultural products. The panel will assess how Asian creators and companies are exporting games, music, film, and other forms of entertainment to worldwide audiences, and what that means for Western markets. Keynote speakers at the event include Bela Bajaria, Chief Content Officer at Netflix, who will likely address the streaming giant’s strategy for original programming and its role in the broader entertainment ecosystem. Mark Shapiro, President and COO of TKO Group, will share insights on live‑sport and combat‑sports branding, while Ravi Ahuja, Chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures, will discuss the studio’s approach to franchise development and international co‑production.
Additionally, David Lee, Chief Financial Officer of Webtoon, will provide a financial perspective on digital comics and the monetisation models that are reshaping that niche. Beyond the headline speakers, the summit will feature a wide array of participants from Amazon Prime Video, the Los Angeles Dodgers, Disney, Regal Global Entertainment, and other influential firms. Representatives from major talent agencies—including Creative Artists Agency (CAA), United Talent Agency (UTA), and Verve Talent & Literary Agency—will also be on hand, underscoring the event’s emphasis on the interconnected nature of content creation, talent representation, and distribution. Tickets for the 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 promo code GIB20 or follow the dedicated discount link provided by the publication. This concession is part of the partnership between the summit organizers and GamesIndustry.biz, designed to encourage industry professionals and enthusiasts alike to engage with the forward‑looking conversations that will shape the next decade of entertainment.
In summary, the FT Business of Entertainment Summit promises to be a pivotal gathering where leaders from gaming, streaming, film, sports, and live‑event sectors converge to dissect the trends that are redefining how audiences experience media. By bringing together executives from EA, Tencent Games, Netflix, Sony Pictures, Disney, and a host of other influential entities, the summit aims to foster cross‑industry collaboration and spark innovative ideas that will drive the entertainment landscape forward.
Attendees can look forward to deep‑dive panels, high‑level keynotes, and ample networking opportunities—all geared toward understanding and capitalising on the evolving forces that shape global entertainment.