Michael Ratner

Background

About Michael Ratner

Entrepreneur and producer, writer, director Michael D. Ratner founded OBB Pictures in 2016 and under his leadership the company has grown into OBB Media, a leading media company with divisions in film, TV, digital, podcasts, branded content, and social good, amassing an audience of over 2 billion. In addition to running OBB, Ratner continues to act as a multi-hyphenate leading creative on OBB’s marquee projects. Ratner is currently directing and executive producing the SXSW 2021 opening night headlining film Demi Lovato: Dancing with the Devil for YouTube Originals, and recently directed and executive produced the Justin Bieber: Seasons docuseries, which broke the record for YouTube Originals as the most-viewed premiere ever globally, tallying over 32.65 million views in its first week alone and reaching 97 countries worldwide. In addition, Ratner directed on and executive produced & Music for Quibi, and executive produced The Harder Way for ESPN+. He also directed and produced Justin Bieber’s music video Intentions, which featured Quavo and highlighted the stories of 3 Los Angeles women’s struggles, and launched the Intentions Fund to support families at Alexandria House and increased donations by 800% in its first week. Intentions surpassed Sorry and became Justin Bieber’s second most viewed music video as lead artist on YouTube in its first 24 hours. Intentions currently has over 350 million views. Prior to that, Ratner served as executive producer and director on OBB’s Historical Roasts for Netflix. He is the creator, showrunner, director and executive producer of Cold as Balls, starring Kevin Hart, which has garnered over 1.8 billion viewers to date and just wrapped its fourth season. Ratner has also produced and directed a number of films that have premiered at Sundance, Tribeca, and SXSW, including Gonzo @ the Derby for ESPN’s acclaimed 30 for 30 series, which followed Hunter S. Thompson’s trip to the Kentucky Derby and is narrated by Sean Penn. Ratner graduated summa cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania where he received a BA in Film & minor in English. He went on to receive a Master of Fine Arts in film directing, writing, and producing from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. He is a member of the Producers Guild of America and was honored on Variety Hollywood’s Creative New Leaders 2018 as well as Forbes 30 Under 30 Hollywood & Entertainment class of 2019. Ratner serves as a member of the board of F Cancer. Ratner is represented by the United Talent Agency, 3 Arts Entertainment and Morris Yorn.