The Financial Times has announced the full roster of senior executives who will appear at its upcoming Business of Entertainment Summit, set to take place in Los Angeles this September. Among the most notable additions are representatives from two of the world’s largest video‑game powerhouses – Electronic Arts (EA) and Tencent Games – who will share the stage with top leaders from traditional media giants such as Netflix, Sony Pictures, NBCUniversal and the parent company of UFC and WWE, TKO Group. GamesIndustry.biz is listed as a promotional partner for the event, working in conjunction with its parent organization, IGNE Entertainment, to help spread the word.
The summit is billed as a deep‑dive into the "forces reshaping entertainment," and it aims to bring together decision‑makers from every corner of the entertainment ecosystem. Attendees will explore a wide array of subjects that are redefining how content is created, distributed, and monetized. Topics on the agenda include the evolving landscape of media dealmaking, the construction and maintenance of franchise ecosystems, the growing global cultural influence of entertainment brands, the future of live‑event experiences, the emerging role of artificial intelligence in crafting fan‑centric experiences, and new models for content monetisation in a rapidly changing market.
One of the featured panels will be moderated by David Tinson, who serves as President and Chief Operating Officer of EA. Tinson will sit alongside executives from Universal Entertainment and narrative‑production studio Madison Wells to discuss the concept of cross‑medium entertainment – how stories can flow seamlessly between video games, film, television and other formats, creating richer, more immersive experiences for audiences. In a separate session, Tian Xiao, Head of North American Partnerships for Tencent Games, will address a panel focused on the worldwide surge of Asian cultural exports. Xiao will examine how Chinese and broader Asian gaming titles are gaining traction in Western markets and what that means for the future of global entertainment trade.
The summit’s keynote lineup is equally impressive. Bela Bajaria, Chief Content Officer at Netflix, will open the event with a perspective on how streaming platforms are redefining content pipelines and audience engagement.
Mark Shapiro, President and COO of TKO Group, will share insights into the convergence of sports, combat entertainment, and media rights. Sony Pictures Chairman and CEO Ravi Ahuja will discuss the studio’s strategy for leveraging its vast library of intellectual property across multiple platforms, while Webtoon CFO David Lee will outline the financial mechanics behind the rapid growth of digital comics and their adaptation into other media forms.
Beyond the keynote speakers, the program features a host of additional voices from Amazon Prime Video, the Los Angeles Dodgers, Disney, and Regal Global Entertainment, among others. Executives representing a broad spectrum of the industry—including EA, the Pokémon franchise, Apple, Netflix, Sony Pictures, and Paramount—will be on hand to network, share best practices, and explore partnership opportunities.
Representatives from major talent agencies such as Creative Artists Agency (CAA), United Talent Agency (UTA) and Verve Talent & Literary Agency will also attend, underscoring the event’s focus on the intersection of talent, technology, and content. The Business of Entertainment Summit offers both in‑person and digital attendance options, allowing participants from around the world to join the conversation. For readers of GamesIndustry.biz, a special 20 percent discount is available when registering with the promotional code GIB20 or by following the dedicated discount link provided in the announcement.
This incentive is intended to encourage more members of the gaming community to engage with the broader entertainment dialogue and to foster cross‑industry collaboration. Overall, the FT summit promises to be a pivotal gathering for anyone interested in the future of entertainment, whether they come from a background in gaming, film, television, sports, or digital media.
By assembling a diverse group of leaders who are actively shaping the next wave of content creation and distribution, the event aims to generate actionable insights, spark new partnerships, and highlight emerging trends that will define the industry for years to come. Attendees can expect a blend of high‑level strategic discussions, practical case studies, and forward‑looking panels that collectively paint a comprehensive picture of where entertainment is headed in the era of AI, globalized content, and ever‑evolving consumer preferences.