The Financial Times has announced an impressive roster of senior‑level speakers for its upcoming Business of Entertainment Summit, which will take place in Los Angeles this September. Among the most notable additions are representatives from two of the world’s biggest video‑game powerhouses – Electronic Arts (EA) and Tencent Games – who will sit alongside high‑profile leaders from traditional linear‑media giants 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 in conjunction with its parent organization, IGNE Entertainment, to help spread the word to the broader entertainment community. The summit’s overarching theme is "the forces reshaping entertainment," a broad umbrella that seeks to explore how rapid technological change, shifting consumer habits, and new business models are converging to transform the way content is created, distributed, and monetised.
Attendees will be invited to examine a wide array of topics, ranging from the intricacies of media‑deal negotiations and the construction of multi‑platform franchise ecosystems, to the growing global cultural influence of Asian media, the evolution of live‑event experiences, the emerging role of artificial intelligence in personalising fan interaction, and the future pathways for turning content into revenue. One of the flagship panels will feature David Tinson, who serves as President and Chief Operating Officer at EA. Tinson will join executives from Universal Entertainment as well as representatives from narrative‑driven production studio Madison Wells to discuss the concept of cross‑medium entertainment – how video‑game IPs can be leveraged across film, television, merchandise, and emerging immersive formats.
Their conversation is expected to delve into case studies such as the "FIFA" franchise’s expansion into esports, the "Star Wars" video‑game collaborations, and EA’s own experiments with live‑action tie‑ins. Another high‑profile discussion will spotlight Tian Xiao, Head of North American Partnerships at Tencent Games.
Xiao will speak on a panel dedicated to the global rise of Asia’s cultural exports, examining how Chinese and broader Asian gaming titles are breaking into Western markets, the strategic partnerships that facilitate localisation, and the regulatory considerations that shape cross‑border distribution. The panel will likely reference Tencent’s ownership stakes in companies such as Riot Games and its collaborations with major Western publishers, illustrating how the company is positioning itself as a bridge between East and West. The summit’s keynote lineup is equally star‑studded. Bela Bajaria, Chief Content Officer at Netflix, will share insights on the streaming giant’s strategy for original programming and its approach to nurturing global talent.
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 adapting to a fragmented, on‑demand audience. Sony Pictures’ Chairman and CEO Ravi Ahuja will outline the studio’s vision for integrating cinematic storytelling with interactive experiences, while David Lee, CFO of Webtoon, will provide a financial perspective on the rapid growth of digital comics and their potential to serve as source material for multimedia franchises. Additional speakers will include senior figures from Amazon Prime Video, the Los Angeles Dodgers, Disney, and Regal Global Entertainment, ensuring that the conversation covers both the streaming and traditional theatrical domains as well as the sports‑entertainment crossover space. Representatives from talent agencies such as Creative Artists Agency (CAA), United Talent Agency (UTA) and Verve Talent & Literary Agency will also be present, underscoring the importance of talent representation in an ecosystem where creators increasingly wear multiple hats.
The event will be open to both in‑person and virtual participants, giving industry professionals worldwide the flexibility to join the dialogue. Tickets are already on sale, and GamesIndustry.biz readers are eligible for a special 20 percent discount by entering the promotional code GIB20 at checkout or by following the dedicated discount link provided by the organisers. This reduced‑price offer is designed to encourage broader attendance from the gaming community, ensuring that the perspectives of developers, publishers, and interactive‑media specialists are well‑represented alongside those from film, television, sports and music.
Overall, the FT Business of Entertainment Summit promises to be a comprehensive forum for exploring how the lines between games, movies, series, live events and emerging technologies are blurring. By bringing together executives from both the interactive and linear‑media worlds, the summit aims to foster collaboration, spark innovative ideas, and chart a roadmap for the next decade of entertainment. Whether you are a studio executive, a game developer, a content creator, or a media‑investment professional, the summit offers a unique opportunity to hear directly from the leaders shaping the future of global entertainment.