The Financial Times has announced an impressive roster of senior executives who will appear at its upcoming Business of Entertainment Summit, set to take place in Los Angeles this September. Among the notable participants are representatives from the video‑game powerhouses Electronic Arts (EA) and Tencent Games, who will share the stage with top leaders from traditional media giants such as Netflix, Sony Pictures, NBCUniversal and the parent company of UFC and WWE, TKO Group. GamesIndustry.biz is listed as a promotional partner for the event, working alongside its parent organization IGNE Entertainment to help publicize the summit. The summit is billed as a deep‑dive into the "forces reshaping entertainment," and it aims to bring together decision‑makers from every corner of the entertainment ecosystem.
Attendees will explore a broad spectrum of topics that are redefining how content is created, distributed, and monetized. Discussion points will include the evolving landscape of media dealmaking, the construction and maintenance of franchise ecosystems, the growing global cultural impact of entertainment products, the rise of live‑event experiences, the emerging role of artificial intelligence in crafting personalized fan interactions, and the future pathways for content monetisation across multiple platforms.
One of the highlighted panels will feature David Tinson, who serves as President and Chief Operating Officer at EA. Tinson will sit on a cross‑medium entertainment discussion alongside senior figures from Universal Entertainment and narrative‑driven production house Madison Wells. Their conversation is expected to examine how interactive gaming experiences can intersect with film, television, and other storytelling formats to create richer, multi‑layered entertainment properties.
Another key session will spotlight Tian Xiao, the Head of North American Partnerships at Tencent Games. Xiao will address a panel focused on the worldwide surge of cultural exports originating from Asia. The dialogue will likely cover how Chinese and broader Asian gaming studios are expanding their reach beyond regional markets, influencing global consumer tastes, and collaborating with Western partners to co‑create content that resonates across cultural boundaries.
The summit’s keynote lineup is equally star‑studded. Bela Bajaria, Chief Content Officer at Netflix, will deliver a keynote that is anticipated to shed light on the streaming giant’s strategic direction and its approach to integrating gaming and interactive media into its broader content portfolio.
Mark Shapiro, President and COO of TKO Group, will discuss the convergence of sports, combat entertainment, and digital media, while Ravi Ahuja, Chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures, will share insights on the studio’s film and television strategies in an increasingly fragmented media environment. Additionally, David Lee, Chief Financial Officer of Webtoon, will offer a perspective on the monetisation of digital comics and the synergy between web‑based storytelling and other entertainment formats. Beyond the marquee speakers, the summit will feature a diverse array of participants from companies such as Amazon Prime Video, the Los Angeles Dodgers, Disney, and Regal Global Entertainment.
Executives from well‑known brands including EA, Pokémon, Apple, Netflix, Sony Pictures and Paramount are also slated to attend, creating ample networking opportunities for industry professionals. Talent agencies will also be well represented.
Representatives from leading firms such as Creative Artists Agency (CAA), United Talent Agency (UTA) and Verve Talent & Literary Agency will be on hand, underscoring the importance of talent management and representation in the evolving entertainment landscape. Tickets for the Business of Entertainment Summit are currently on sale, with options for both virtual participation and in‑person attendance at the West Hollywood venue. GamesIndustry.biz readers enjoy an exclusive benefit: a 20 percent discount on the standard registration fee.
To claim the reduced rate, readers can apply the promotional code GIB20 at checkout or follow the dedicated discount link provided by the publication. Overall, the summit promises to be a pivotal gathering for anyone interested in the intersection of gaming, film, television, live events, and emerging technologies. By assembling a cross‑section of leaders from both the interactive and linear media worlds, the event aims to foster dialogue that will shape the future of entertainment, offering attendees a chance to gain insight into upcoming trends, forge strategic partnerships, and explore new revenue models in an industry that is constantly reinventing itself.