Media's New CES Play: LA Times & Monks Target Elite Tech Circles

LAS VEGAS, NV – December 29, 2025 – As the global technology industry prepares to descend on Las Vegas for the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in January 2026, a notable partnership signals a strategic evolution in how major industry events are leveraged. LA Times Studios, the content production arm of the Los Angeles Times Media Group (LATMG), is joining forces with Monks, the AI-forward operating brand of S4 Capital, to host an exclusive networking lounge. This initiative moves beyond the traditional chaotic exhibition hall, aiming instead to create a curated environment for high-level deal-making and strategic conversation.

From January 7-8, the lounge, situated within the new and highly selective CES Foundry area at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas, will serve as a dedicated hub for what the partners describe as a space for industry leaders and visionaries to unite. The move reflects a growing sentiment that at sprawling mega-conferences like CES, the most valuable currency is not just visibility, but meaningful connection.

A Strategic Shift Beyond the Show Floor

The creation of the LA Times Studios and Monks lounge is emblematic of a larger trend reshaping the landscape of professional conferences. As CES has grown into a behemoth showcasing everything from AI-powered tractors to quantum computers, attendees and companies alike have sought refuge from the sensory overload of the main show floors. The real innovation, many argue, is happening in these smaller, curated side-stages and meeting spaces.

This initiative finds its home within CES Foundry, a brand-new program for 2026 explicitly designed to be a premier hub for the vanguards of artificial intelligence, blockchain, and quantum technologies. By locating their lounge here, LA Times Studios and Monks are deliberately positioning themselves at the epicenter of conversations about tomorrow's most disruptive technologies. The Foundry itself is a departure from the classic CES model, promising immersive discussions and hands-on demos in a more intimate setting, away from the Las Vegas Convention Center's bustling halls.

“CES is where breakthrough ideas meet the people bold enough to build them,” said Anna Magzanyan, president of LA Times Studios, in the initial announcement. “Partnering with Monks allows us to create a space where leaders can slow down, connect with intention, and turn conversation into opportunity.”

This philosophy is the core of the value proposition. Instead of vying for attention amidst thousands of exhibitors, the partners are creating a destination—a quiet area to foster strategic partnerships or simply connect with peers without the surrounding noise. It's a bet that in the age of digital saturation, the future of business development lies in facilitating high-quality, in-person interactions.

Media's Evolving Role in the Tech Ecosystem

For the Los Angeles Times Media Group, this venture is far more than a simple event sponsorship; it is a clear manifestation of its ambitious and costly transformation strategy. Under the ownership of Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, LATMG is aggressively working to pivot from a legacy newspaper into what it calls a “media company of the future.” This vision rests on integrating four distinct brands: the core Los Angeles Times newsroom, the versatile LA Times Studios, the virtual production powerhouse NantStudios, and the esports-focused NantGames.

The CES lounge serves as a public-facing example of this strategy in action. It showcases LA Times Studios not just as a content producer, but as a convener and a central player within the industries it covers. By hosting and broadcasting interviews with tech executives from the lounge, the studio reinforces its multiplatform capabilities while simultaneously engaging in high-level B2B networking. This initiative is critical for LATMG, which has reported significant operating losses in recent years, including nearly $50 million in 2024. The company's future hinges on its ability to generate new revenue streams and build a diversified business model, making successful ventures like this essential for attracting partners and potential investors as it eyes a future public listing.

The Power of a Synergistic Partnership

The collaboration is a strategic pairing of complementary strengths. LA Times Studios brings its established credibility in storytelling, content production, and event execution. Monks, on the other hand, provides deep expertise in the very technologies being discussed at CES Foundry. As the digital-first, data-driven arm of Sir Martin Sorrell’s S4 Capital, Monks has built its reputation on navigating the frontiers of marketing and technology.

The company made waves at CES 2024 with the launch of Monks.Flow, its AI-powered ecosystem for marketing orchestration, and was named Adweek's first-ever AI Agency of the Year. Its consistent presence at CES is a core part of its strategy to cement its role as a thought leader and an indispensable partner for brands grappling with digital transformation. For CES 2026, Monks is not only co-hosting the lounge but also presenting a session titled “AI Unleashed: Creativity That Inspires and Stays Human,” further underscoring its authority in the field.

“Real innovation requires real connection,” added Mamou Kilambi-Mbakwe, associate director of brand marketing at Monks. “We are proud to partner with LA Times Studios to provide a dedicated hub at CES where the industry's most influential voices can collaborate and shape the narrative for the year ahead.” This partnership allows Monks to engage its target audience of tech leaders in a context curated by a trusted media brand, while LA Times Studios gains direct access to the cutting-edge insights and relationships that Monks cultivates.

Content, Comedy, and Cutting-Edge Conversations

The programming planned for the lounge is designed to be as innovative as its concept. Each day, LA Times Studios will broadcast interviews with leading executives and innovators over its streaming platforms. The content will also feature select CES keynotes and tours of show-floor exhibits, effectively creating a curated 'best of CES' channel for its audience.

A standout event on the schedule highlights the organizers' creative approach to engagement. On January 7, the lounge will host “Hot Takes on Fusion: A Comedy Show,” presented by Commonwealth Fusion Systems. The event will feature comedians The Sklar Brothers alongside CFS’s director of tokamak operations, Alex Creely, and Tammy Ma, a leading scientist from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. This unique format aims to demystify a complex and critical technology—fusion energy—by blending expert insights with humor, making it more accessible and memorable for a diverse audience of industry leaders. It's a prime example of the kind of engaging, culturally relevant content both partners excel at creating, promising an experience that is both intellectually stimulating and genuinely entertaining.