The Financial Times has announced the senior‑level roster for its forthcoming Business of Entertainment Summit, set to take place in Los Angeles this September. Among the most eagerly anticipated participants are representatives from the video‑game sector—specifically senior executives from Electronic Arts (EA) and Tencent Games—who will share the stage with top figures from traditional 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, collaborating alongside its parent organization, IGNE Entertainment, to bring the event to a wider audience. The summit’s central theme is "the forces reshaping entertainment," a broad umbrella that captures the rapid evolution of how content is created, distributed, and monetized across the globe. Attendees will be drawn from every corner of the entertainment ecosystem, including film studios, streaming platforms, video‑game publishers, live‑event promoters, talent agencies, and technology innovators.
The agenda is designed to spark conversation on a variety of pressing topics: the mechanics of media dealmaking in an increasingly fragmented marketplace; the construction and management of franchise ecosystems that span multiple platforms; the growing cultural impact of entertainment products on a worldwide scale; the future of live‑event experiences in a post‑pandemic world; the emerging role of artificial intelligence in personalizing fan interactions; and the evolving strategies for extracting revenue from content in an era where subscription fatigue and ad‑free expectations are reshaping consumer behavior. One of the highlighted panels will feature David Tinson, who serves as President and Chief Operating Officer at EA.
Tinson will join a discussion on cross‑medium entertainment alongside senior leaders from Universal Entertainment and the narrative‑driven production house Madison Wells. Their conversation is expected to explore how game developers can collaborate with film and television studios to create seamless storytelling experiences that move fluidly between interactive and passive media. In a similar vein, Tian Xiao, Head of North American Partnerships for Tencent Games, has been slated to speak on a panel dedicated to the global surge of Asian cultural exports.
Xiao will examine how Chinese and broader Asian gaming IPs are gaining traction in Western markets, the strategic partnerships that facilitate this crossover, and the cultural nuances that influence consumer reception. The summit’s keynote lineup features some of the most influential voices in modern entertainment.
Bela Bajaria, Chief Content Officer at Netflix, will share insights on the streaming giant’s content strategy and its approach to balancing original productions with licensed material. Mark Shapiro, President and COO of TKO Group, will discuss the convergence of sports, combat entertainment, and digital media, highlighting how live‑event brands like UFC and WWE are leveraging new distribution channels.
Ravi Ahuja, Chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures, will offer a perspective on the studio’s pivot toward integrated franchise development, while David Lee, Chief Financial Officer of Webtoon, will provide an analysis of the financial mechanics behind digital comic platforms and their role in the broader entertainment pipeline. Beyond the keynotes, the summit will host a diverse set of speakers representing Amazon Prime Video, the Los Angeles Dodgers, Disney, Regal Global Entertainment, and numerous other entities that shape the entertainment landscape.
Executives from a range of companies—including EA, the Pokémon franchise, Apple, Netflix, Sony Pictures, and Paramount—will be present, creating ample networking opportunities for attendees. Representatives from major talent agencies such as Creative Artists Agency (CAA), United Talent Agency (UTA), and Verve Talent & Literary Agency will also be on hand, underscoring the importance of talent representation in the evolving media ecosystem. The event is structured to accommodate both in‑person and virtual participants.
Tickets are currently on sale, and the organizers have made provisions for a hybrid experience that ensures remote attendees can engage with panels, ask questions, and participate in breakout sessions in real time. As an added incentive, GamesIndustry.biz readers are eligible for a 20% discount on the 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 platform.
Overall, the FT Business of Entertainment Summit promises to be a pivotal gathering for anyone interested in the future direction of media and entertainment. By bringing together leaders from gaming, streaming, film, sports, and live‑event sectors, the conference aims to foster cross‑industry collaboration, spark innovative ideas, and provide actionable insights that participants can apply within their own organizations. Whether you are a senior executive, a mid‑level manager, or an aspiring professional looking to understand the macro trends shaping the industry, the summit offers a unique forum to hear directly from the decision‑makers who are steering the next wave of entertainment evolution.