Variety, TikTok Partner to Host Industry-Leading Events

Variety and TikTok have partnered to host two industry-leading events, one focused on gaming and one on media and entertainment, this fall.

The inaugural “Variety Presents: Gaming on TikTok Leadership Summit” will take place Sept. 18 featuring conversations with executives and creatives on the leading edge of video games, entertainment and content.

Variety co-editor-in-chief Cynthia Littleton will conduct a live taping of the “Strictly Business” podcast at the gaming event, featuring an interview with Neil Druckmann, CEO of Naughty Dog and co-creator of the HBO/Max series “The Last of Us.”

Among other highlights, Tim Natividad, general manager and U.S. head of enterprise sales at TikTok, will join in conversation with Christian Davin, EVP of worldwide marketing at Warner Bros. Discovery.

The third annual Variety Culture Catalysts Dinner presented by TikTok will take place Oct. 15, celebrating top marketers from film and TV. The evening event will feature intimate conversations with the executives behind the year’s most talked-about titles. Attendees for both events will include honorees from Variety’s 2024 Culture Catalysts Impact List, to be announced Sept. 25.

“Variety is excited to expand our TikTok partnership with these two timely events,” said Dea Lawrence, chief operating and marketing officer at Variety. “Our third annual Cultural Catalysts Dinner is sure to drive the conversation forward on entertainment marketing while the inaugural Gaming on TikTok Summit will provide invaluable thought leadership for those at the crossroads of video games, entertainment and content.”

“As fandoms of gaming, film and TV continue to converge at the center of culture on TikTok, we can think of no better partner than Variety to bring these two marquee events to life. We’re thrilled to partner with leaders in the industry to explore the future of IP marketing, innovation and impact,” said Rema Vasan, TikTok’s North America head of business marketing and global head of gaming marketing.

The events will be covered across Variety.com, in print and across Variety’s social media.