The Financial Times has announced a high‑profile roster of senior executives for its upcoming Business of Entertainment Summit, set to take place in Los Angeles this September. Among the most notable additions are representatives from the gaming world—David Tinson, President and Chief Operating Officer of Electronic Arts (EA), and Tian Xiao, Head of North American Partnerships at Tencent Games. Their participation places the gaming sector alongside 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 event, working in tandem with its parent organization, IGNE Entertainment, to bring together a cross‑industry audience. The summit’s central theme is the "forces reshaping entertainment," a broad umbrella that captures everything from the evolving economics of media deals to the expanding influence of global franchise ecosystems. Attendees will explore how cultural trends travel across borders, the growing importance of live‑event experiences, the role artificial intelligence can play in deepening fan engagement, and the future pathways for monetising content in an increasingly fragmented marketplace. By gathering leaders from film, television, gaming, sports, and live‑performance sectors, the conference aims to surface insights that reflect the interconnected nature of modern entertainment.
David Tinson will join a panel focused on cross‑medium storytelling, sitting alongside executives from Universal Entertainment and narrative‑production specialists at Madison Wells. The discussion is expected to delve into how intellectual properties can be leveraged across video games, movies, television series, and emerging formats such as interactive streaming experiences.
Tinson’s experience at EA—where the company has turned blockbuster game franchises like "FIFA" and "Madden" into multi‑platform brands—will provide a practical perspective on the challenges and opportunities inherent in translating game worlds into other media forms. Meanwhile, Tian Xiao will appear on a separate panel that examines the rapid ascent of Asian cultural exports on the global stage.
Tencent Games, as one of the world’s largest game publishers, has been instrumental in popularising titles that blend Eastern storytelling traditions with Western gameplay mechanics. Xiao’s insights will likely cover topics such as localization strategies, the impact of regional regulatory environments, and the ways in which Asian creators are shaping consumer expectations worldwide. Keynote speakers for the summit include Bela Bajaria, Chief Content Officer at Netflix, who will share the streaming giant’s vision for original programming and its approach to global distribution.
Mark Shapiro, President and COO of TKO Group, will discuss the convergence of sports entertainment and traditional media, drawing on the success of UFC and WWE in building worldwide fan bases. Ravi Ahuja, Chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures, will provide a perspective on how legacy studios are adapting to the digital age, while David Lee, CFO of Webtoon, will offer insights into the monetisation of digital comics and the broader implications for transmedia storytelling.
Additional speakers represent a diverse array of organizations, including Amazon Prime Video, the Los Angeles Dodgers, Disney, and Regal Global Entertainment. Executives from companies such as EA, Pokémon, Apple, Netflix, Sony Pictures, and Paramount will also be present, ensuring that the conversation captures a truly panoramic view of the entertainment landscape.
Representatives from leading talent agencies—Creative Artists Agency (CAA), United Talent Agency (UTA), and Verve Talent & Literary Agency—will attend as well, underscoring the importance of talent management and representation in shaping the future of content creation. The summit will be accessible both in person, with a venue located in West Hollywood, and virtually for those who prefer a digital experience. Tickets are currently on sale, and GamesIndustry.biz readers are eligible for a special 20% discount by entering the promotional code GIB20 at checkout or by following the dedicated discount link provided by the event organizers. This discount is intended to encourage broader participation from the gaming community, ensuring that the dialogue reflects the increasingly symbiotic relationship between interactive entertainment and other media forms.
Overall, the Business of Entertainment Summit promises to be a seminal gathering for anyone interested in the shifting dynamics of how stories are told, distributed, and monetised across platforms. By bringing together senior leaders from both the gaming sector and traditional media, the event highlights the growing recognition that the future of entertainment will be defined by collaboration, technological innovation, and a shared commitment to delivering compelling experiences to audiences around the globe.