The Financial Times has announced the roster of senior executives who will appear at its forthcoming Business of Entertainment Summit, set to take place in Los Angeles this September. Among the distinguished speakers are representatives from the video‑game sector, specifically David Tinson, President and Chief Operating Officer of Electronic Arts (EA), and Tian Xiao, Head of North American Partnerships at Tencent Games.
They will share the stage with top‑level leaders 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, working alongside its parent organization, IGNE Entertainment, to help publicize the event.
The summit’s central theme is "the forces reshaping entertainment," and it is designed to bring together decision‑makers from every corner of the entertainment ecosystem. Attendees will explore a broad array 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 development and management of franchise ecosystems, the growing global cultural impact of entertainment properties, the rise of live‑event experiences, the potential applications of artificial intelligence in enhancing fan interaction, and emerging models for content monetisation in a fragmented marketplace. David Tinson will contribute to a panel focused on cross‑medium entertainment, sitting alongside executives from Universal Entertainment and narrative‑driven production house Madison Wells. The discussion will examine how intellectual property can flow seamlessly between games, film, television, and emerging digital formats, and what strategic partnerships are required to maximise the value of a single story across multiple platforms.
Tian Xiao, meanwhile, will appear on a separate panel that looks at the worldwide surge of Asian cultural exports. His insights will address how games and other media originating from Asia are gaining traction in Western markets, the challenges of localisation, and the strategic importance of partnerships like those his team has forged with North American publishers.
The summit’s keynote lineup features some of the most influential voices in the industry. Bela Bajaria, Chief Content Officer at Netflix, will open the event with a perspective on how streaming giants are adapting to the rapid acceleration of content consumption habits. Mark Shapiro, President and COO of TKO Group, will discuss the convergence of sports, combat entertainment, and digital media, highlighting the synergies that can be unlocked when live‑event brands collaborate with streaming platforms.
Ravi Ahuja, Chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures, will share his vision for the future of film and television production in an era dominated by data‑driven decision‑making. David Lee, Chief Financial Officer of Webtoon, will provide a financial lens on the burgeoning market for digital comics and how it intersects with gaming and animation. In addition to the keynotes, a wide range of speakers will contribute to the conversation. Representatives from Amazon Prime Video, the Los Angeles Dodgers, Disney, and Regal Global Entertainment will each bring unique viewpoints on topics ranging from sports‑driven storytelling to the integration of physical venues with digital experiences.
Executives from companies such as EA, Pokémon, Apple, Netflix, Sony Pictures, and Paramount will also be present, offering a comprehensive look at how legacy brands are reinventing themselves to stay relevant in a fast‑changing environment. The summit will also attract a strong contingent from the talent representation side of the industry. Agents and executives from major agencies—including Creative Artists Agency (CAA), United Talent Agency (UTA), and Verve Talent & Literary Agency—will be on hand to discuss the evolving role of talent in a multi‑platform world, the importance of cross‑border collaborations, and how representation is adapting to new forms of content creation and distribution.
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 are eligible for a special 20 % discount on the registration fee. To claim the discount, readers can either enter the promotional code GIB20 at checkout or follow the dedicated discount link provided by the site. This reduced rate is intended to encourage broader participation from professionals who are directly involved in shaping the future of entertainment, ensuring that the conversation reflects a diverse set of perspectives from across the industry.
Overall, the FT Business of Entertainment Summit promises to be a pivotal gathering for anyone interested in the intersection of gaming, film, television, sports, and emerging technologies. By convening senior leaders from both the interactive and linear media sectors, the event aims to foster dialogue that will help define the next chapter of global entertainment, offering actionable insights for creators, distributors, investors, and talent alike.