Michael D. Ratner

Ratner spent his early teens working at production companies. After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania with a degree in Film and English,[15] 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.[16]

Ratner founded OBB Pictures in 2016 alongside co-founder and COO Scott Ratner with a focus on film, television and digital production. The company would later be rebranded to OBB Media to reflect the addition of podcast and audio production, branded content and social good divisions.[17]

In May 2016, Ratner directed and produced Gonzo @ the Derby for ESPN's 30 for 30 series, which followed Hunter S. Thompson's trip to the Kentucky Derby and is narrated by Sean Penn.[18]

Later that year, Ratner partnered with Mandalay Sports Media to co-produce a series of sports-themed films.[19]

In 2019, Ratner served as executive producer and director on OBB's Historical Roasts for Netflix.[20]

Ratner is also the creator, showrunner, director and executive producer of Cold as Balls, starring Kevin Hart.[21] The show features Hart interviewing different sports personality in each episode while they're immersed in ice baths. As of November 2020, the show has garnered over 1.1 billion viewers,[22] and its fourth season is currently airing.[23]

In early 2020, OBB premiered a docu-series titled: Justin Bieber: Seasons.[24] The 10-part series premiered two episodes weekly and sold for more than $20M. The series received more than 32 million views on its first week of airing with YouTube announcing it as the company's highest rated premiere in their history.[12][25]

Later that year, Ratner directed the music video for Justin Bieber's Intentions.[26] The video featured Bieber and Quavo. Within the first 19 hours of release, “Intentions” surpassed “Sorry” and became Justin Bieber's second most viewed music video as lead artist on YouTube in its first 24 hours. As of November 2020, the music video has over 275 million total viewers.[8][9]

Ratner executive produced The Harder Way for ESPN+ via his OBB Pictures banner alongside LeBron James and his Springhill Entertainment.[27]

As of 2020, Ratner is directing and producing an upcoming docuseries focused on Demi Lovato.[28][29][4]

In 2014, Ratner's film “The 30 Year Old Bris” was an official selection at the Tribeca Film Festival.[30] In 2016, Ratner's film Gonzo @ the Derby for ESPN's acclaimed 30 for 30 series was an official selection at the Tribeca Film Festival.[31] The film follows Hunter S. Thompson's trip to the Kentucky Derby and is narrated by Sean Penn. In 2018, Ratner was honored on Variety Hollywood's Creative New Leaders. In 2019, Ratner was recognized by Forbes Magazine and named to its “30 Under 30” list in Hollywood & Entertainment. In 2020, Justin Bieber's Intentions featuring Quavo was nominted for “Best Pop” Video at the 2020 VMAS which Ratner directed and produced.[32]

In 2016, Ratner co-chaired the NYU Scholarship Fund Gala alongside Jonathan Cohen and honorary chairs Martin Scorsese, Janice & Billy Crystal, which was hosted by Alec Baldwin & Spike Lee. The event raised more than $2,100,000 – a gala record. The NYU Scholarship fund provides the opportunity for all students with the requisite talent and passion to follow their dreams to come to NYU Tisch School of the Arts.

In 2019, Ratner directed the music video for Justin Bieber's single “Intentions” featuring Quavo which featured an impact component benefitting the women featured in the video as well as the Alexandria House organization. Ratner alongside Bieber, Scooter Braun Projects and Universal Music established the Intentions Fund with a $200,000 gift and encouraged fans of the video to contribute to the organization as well. With help from the Intentions Fund, women at the Alexandria House have been able to continue pursuing their college degrees, secure housing, secure much-needed transportation, and maintain a sense of normalcy and security.[6] As a result of the video, Alexandria House has seen an 800% increase in web traffic, more than 200 donations from around the world, and increased exposure due to the over 325 million total viewers as of November 2020.

• Michael D. Ratner at IMDb