The Financial Times has announced the full roster of C‑suite participants for its upcoming Business of Entertainment Summit, scheduled to take place in Los Angeles this September. Among the most notable additions are senior 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 at Tencent Games – who will sit alongside high‑profile executives 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 event, working together with its parent organization, IGNE Entertainment, to bring the gathering to a wider audience. The summit’s central theme is "the forces reshaping entertainment," and it is designed to convene thought‑leaders from every corner of the entertainment ecosystem. Attendees will explore a broad spectrum 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 integration of live‑event experiences, the emerging role of artificial intelligence in crafting fan‑centric interactions, and the future pathways for monetising content across multiple platforms. David Tinson will take part in a panel that examines cross‑medium entertainment strategies. Sharing the stage with senior figures from Universal Entertainment and narrative‑production studio Madison Wells, Tinson is expected to discuss how video‑games can intersect with film, television and other media formats to create richer, more immersive storytelling experiences.
His perspective will draw on EA’s long‑standing expertise in developing blockbuster game franchises that have successfully migrated into other entertainment domains, such as movies and television series. Tian Xiao will contribute to a separate discussion focused on the worldwide surge of Asian cultural exports. As the head of North American partnerships for Tencent Games, Xiao is uniquely positioned to speak about how Chinese and broader Asian gaming titles are gaining traction in Western markets, the challenges of localisation, and the strategic collaborations that are helping Asian creators tap into global audiences. The panel will also consider the broader implications for music, film, and fashion as Asian cultural products continue to shape consumer tastes worldwide.
The summit’s keynote lineup features some of the most influential names in the industry. Bela Bajaria, Chief Content Officer at Netflix, will deliver insights on the streaming giant’s content strategy and its approach to nurturing original programming that resonates across diverse demographics.
Mark Shapiro, President and COO of TKO Group, will discuss the convergence of sports, combat entertainment, and digital media, highlighting how live‑event spectacles can be leveraged for new revenue streams. Ravi Ahuja, Chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures, will share perspectives on the studio’s evolving production pipeline and its investments in emerging technologies. David Lee, Chief Financial Officer of Webtoon, will provide a financial lens on the rapid growth of digital comics and their potential to feed into larger multimedia franchises. In addition to the keynote speakers, the agenda includes a wide array of panelists and presenters from Amazon Prime Video, the Los Angeles Dodgers, Disney, Regal Global Entertainment and other leading organisations.
Executives representing brands such as EA, Pokémon, Apple, Netflix, Sony Pictures and Paramount will be present, ensuring a comprehensive view of the entertainment landscape. Representatives from major talent agencies—including Creative Artists Agency (CAA), United Talent Agency (UTA) and Verve Talent & Literary Agency—will also attend, underscoring the importance of talent representation in the evolving media ecosystem. The summit offers both digital and in‑person attendance options, allowing participants to choose the format that best suits their needs.
For readers of GamesIndustry.biz, a special promotional code (GIB20) provides a 20 % discount on ticket purchases, and the discount can also be accessed via a dedicated link provided by the site. This incentive aims to make the event more accessible to professionals who are actively shaping the future of gaming and entertainment.
Overall, the Business of Entertainment Summit promises to be a pivotal gathering where leaders from gaming, streaming, film, sports, and live‑event sectors will converge to exchange ideas, forge partnerships, and chart the direction of the entertainment industry for years to come. Whether you are a seasoned executive, a rising creative talent, or an investor looking to understand the next wave of media innovation, the summit offers a unique platform to engage with the forces that are redefining how stories are told and consumed around the globe.