The Financial Times has announced the roster of senior‑level speakers 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 at Tencent Games. They will sit alongside a distinguished line‑up of leaders 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 gathering, collaborating with its parent organization, IGNE Entertainment, to help publicise the event.
The summit’s central theme is "the forces reshaping entertainment," a broad umbrella that brings together decision‑makers from film, television, gaming, live‑event production, sports, and emerging digital platforms. Participants will explore a series of timely topics, including the evolving landscape of media dealmaking, the construction and monetisation of franchise ecosystems, the expanding global cultural influence of entertainment brands, the integration of live‑event experiences with digital technology, the role of artificial intelligence in crafting personalised fan interactions, and the future pathways for content monetisation across multiple channels.
David Tinson will appear on a panel dedicated to cross‑medium entertainment, where he will discuss how video‑games, movies, television series, and other forms of media can intersect to create richer, more immersive narratives. He will be joined by senior figures from Universal Entertainment as well as representatives from narrative‑production outfit Madison Wells, a company known for its work on transmedia storytelling projects. Their conversation is expected to delve into practical examples of IPs that have successfully leapt from one medium to another, the challenges of maintaining brand consistency, and the opportunities that arise when game mechanics inform filmic storytelling and vice‑versa.
Tian Xiao will contribute to a separate discussion focused on the global ascent of Asian cultural exports. As the head of North American partnerships for Tencent Games, Xiao brings a unique perspective on how Chinese and broader Asian gaming titles have penetrated Western markets, the strategic alliances that have facilitated that growth, and the cultural nuances that must be navigated when adapting content for diverse audiences. The panel will also examine how Asian entertainment companies are leveraging their massive domestic user bases to launch global franchises, and what this means for the competitive dynamics of the worldwide entertainment industry.
The summit’s keynote roster includes high‑profile figures such as Bela Bajaria, Chief Content Officer at Netflix, who will likely share insights on the streaming giant’s content strategy and its approach to original programming in an increasingly crowded market. Mark Shapiro, President and COO of TKO Group, will address the convergence of sports, combat entertainment, and digital media, while Ravi Ahuja, Chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures, will discuss the studio’s plans for integrating film, television, and interactive experiences under a unified brand vision.
David Lee, Chief Financial Officer of Webtoon, will provide a financial perspective on the burgeoning web‑comic industry and its potential to feed new IPs into larger entertainment ecosystems. Additional speakers are drawn from Amazon Prime Video, the Los Angeles Dodgers, Disney, and Regal Global Entertainment, ensuring that the dialogue reflects a truly cross‑industry viewpoint. Executives from companies such as EA, Pokémon, Apple, Netflix, Sony Pictures and Paramount will be present, together with talent‑agency representatives from Creative Artists Agency (CAA), United Talent Agency (UTA) and Verve Talent & Literary Agency, highlighting the importance of talent representation in shaping the future of entertainment.
Attendees can choose between a fully digital experience or an in‑person gathering at the West Hollywood venue. For readers of GamesIndustry.biz, a special promotional code—GIB20—offers a 20 percent discount on ticket purchases, and the discount can also be accessed via a dedicated link provided in the event’s promotional materials.
This incentive is designed to encourage industry professionals and enthusiasts alike to participate in the conversations that will define the next era of entertainment, where gaming, streaming, live events, and emerging technologies intersect to create new forms of storytelling and audience engagement. Overall, the FT Business of Entertainment Summit promises to be a pivotal forum for senior leaders to exchange ideas, forge partnerships, and chart the strategic direction of an industry in rapid transformation.
By bringing together executives from both the gaming world and traditional media, the event underscores the increasingly blurred boundaries between interactive and passive entertainment, and offers a platform for discussing how those boundaries will continue to evolve in the years ahead.