The Financial Times has announced the senior‑level roster for its upcoming Business of Entertainment Summit, which will take place in Los Angeles this September. The line‑up now features representatives from the gaming world, including top executives from Electronic Arts (EA) and Tencent Games, alongside a distinguished group of 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 event, working together with its parent organization, IGNE Entertainment, to bring the conference to a wider audience. The summit is designed to explore the "forces reshaping entertainment" and will gather decision‑makers from every corner of the industry—film, television, video games, live events, music, sports and digital platforms. Attendees will debate a range of timely subjects, from the evolving landscape of media dealmaking and the intricacies of franchise ecosystems to the growing global cultural influence of entertainment brands.
Other focal points will include the role of live experiences in a post‑pandemic world, how artificial intelligence can be harnessed to deepen fan engagement, and the next generation of content monetisation strategies that will sustain creators and distributors alike. Among the gaming speakers, David Tinson, who serves as President and Chief Operating Officer at Electronic Arts, will sit on a panel titled "Cross‑Medium Entertainment." The discussion will examine how video‑game IPs are increasingly crossing over into film, television and other formats, and how studios can coordinate storytelling across multiple platforms.
Tinson will be joined by senior figures from Universal Entertainment and narrative‑production studio Madison Wells, offering a blend of perspectives from both the interactive and linear media sectors. Also on the agenda, Tian Xiao, Head of North American Partnerships for Tencent Games, will address a session on the worldwide surge of Asian cultural exports. Xiao will share insights into how Chinese and broader Asian gaming titles are gaining footholds in Western markets, the challenges of localisation, and the strategic partnerships that are enabling these titles to reach new audiences.
His remarks will complement broader conversations about the shifting balance of cultural influence in the global entertainment economy. The keynote portion of the summit boasts an impressive array of high‑profile speakers. Bela Bajaria, Chief Content Officer at Netflix, will outline the streaming giant’s vision for original programming and its approach to global distribution.
Mark Shapiro, President and COO of TKO Group, will discuss the convergence of sports, combat entertainment and media rights in an increasingly fragmented viewing environment. Ravi Ahuja, Chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures, will provide a perspective on studio filmmaking, theatrical releases and the integration of gaming assets into Sony’s broader entertainment strategy. David Lee, Chief Financial Officer of Webtoon, will add a digital‑comics viewpoint, highlighting how short‑form storytelling is influencing larger narrative ecosystems.
Additional speakers include senior executives from Amazon Prime Video, the Los Angeles Dodgers, Disney, and Regal Global Entertainment, ensuring that the summit covers a truly cross‑industry spectrum. Representatives from major talent agencies—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 landscape. The event will feature both in‑person and digital attendance options, allowing participants from around the globe to join the conversation.
Tickets are currently on sale, and GamesIndustry.biz readers are eligible for a 20 percent discount when they apply the promotional code GIB20 at checkout or follow the dedicated discount link provided by the organisers. This reduced rate is intended to encourage more members of the gaming community to engage with the broader entertainment dialogue.
Overall, the Business of Entertainment Summit promises to be a pivotal gathering for anyone interested in the future of content creation, distribution and consumption. By bringing together leaders from gaming, streaming, film, sports and live‑event sectors, the conference aims to surface collaborative opportunities, highlight emerging technologies such as AI‑driven fan experiences, and map out the financial models that will sustain the next wave of entertainment innovation. Whether you are a studio executive, a game developer, a talent agent, or a media analyst, the summit offers a unique platform to network, learn and shape the direction of an industry that is increasingly interconnected and globally oriented.