Draft:Michael D. Ratner

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Michael D. Ratner
Born (1989-07-11) July 11, 1989 (age 35)
Long Island, New York, U.S.
Alma materUniversity of Pennsylvania (B.A.)
New York University Tisch School of the Arts (M.F.A.)
Occupation(s)Entrepreneur
Filmmaker
Film Executive

Michael D. Ratner (born July 11, 1989) is an American entrepreneur and film producer. He is the chief executive officer of OBB Media, a Los Angeles-based production studio he founded in 2016. Ratner is also a co-founder of Rhode, alongside his wife Lauren and Hailey Bieber.[1]

Ratner is known for producing sports and entertainment digital video content.[2] He has worked closely with Justin Bieber on several productions, including the music video for "Intentions", Seasons, and Our World.[3] Other OBB productions include Demi Lovato: Dancing with the Devil, The Kid LAROI's Kids Are Growing Up: A Story About a Kid Named Laroi, Kevin Hart's Cold As Balls,[4] and A Nonsense Christmas with Sabrina Carpenter.[5]

Early life

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Ratner grew up in Long Island, New York.[6] He studied acting at the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute. Ratner graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor’s degree in Film and English, and received a Master of Fine Arts degree in Film and Television from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts in 2014.[7]

During his second year at Tisch, he interned at Relativity Media where he created short-form video content.[8]

Career

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OBB

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Further information: OBB Pictures

Ratner founded OBB Media in 2016.[9]

In 2016, Ratner produced the documentary film Gonzo @ the Derby as part of ESPN’s 30 for 30 series, marking OBB's first major deal.[7] The film focuses on author Hunter S. Thompson’s trip to the Kentucky Derby and was narrated by Sean Penn.[10] Ratner also produced One in a Billion, which was acquired by Netflix.[11]

The same year, Ratner partnered with Mandalay Sports Media to direct and co-produce sports-related projects.[12] Ratner also served as co-chair of the NYU Tisch Gala 2016, which raised $2.1 million.[13]

Ratner pitched to Lionsgate and Laugh Out Loud Productions for a show where Kevin Hart interviewed athletes while sitting in ice baths. The first seasons of the resulting show Cold as Balls was released in 2017, and has since become a multi-season franchise.[8]

In 2019, Ratner served as Executive Producer and director for the comedy show Historical Roasts, which aired on Netflix.[14]

In early 2020, Ratner directed and produced the docuseries Justin Bieber: Seasons, which became the most-watched YouTube premiere at the time of its release.[15] This was followed by the Bieber music video Intentions, and a documentary follow-up Next Chapter, and Our World in 2021.[16][17]

In March 2021, Ratner and Hailey Bieber partnered to create a YouTube channel featuring beauty tutorials, lifestyle tips, and mental health awareness videos. The series Who’s In My Bathroom? became a viral success.

In April 2021, Ratner co-directed Demi Lovato: Dancing with the Devil. In July 2021, Ratner directed Inside Kylie Cosmetics, a mini-docuseries starring Kylie Jenner.[18]

In 2022, Ratner announced a partnership with Kevin Hart to executive produce Storytown, a hip-hop animated series that would premiere on HBO Max.[19]

Ratner directed the Spotify Billions Club: The Series, which won Best Social Video Series at the 2024 Webby Awards.[20]

Ratner produced Kids Are Growing Up: A Story About A Kid Named LAROI which premiered on Prime Video in February 2024, chronicling the rise of The Kid LAROI.

Rhode

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In 2022, Ratner co-founded Rhode, with Hailey Bieber after she had approached Ratner with the concept of a skincare line.[21] Ratner serves as co-executive chairman. Rhode was acquired by e.l.f. in May 2025 in a $1 billion deal.[22]

Personal life

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Ratner met Lauren Rothberg, a marketing entrepreneur while attending the University of Pennsylvania. They began dating in 2018, and the two married in Napa Valley in 2022.[1]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Type Role Network/Notes
2011 Supermilk Short Director, Writer, Producer
2014 Dwight Howard: In the Moment Documentary Executive Producer
2014 The 30-Year-Old Bris Short Director, Writer, Producer
2015 In Football We Trust Documentary Executive Producer [23]
2015 Mario Cuomo: More Than Words Short Director, Executive Producer, Writer
2016 30 for 30: Gonzo @ The Derby Short Director and Executive Producer
2016 Ride Along Short Director and Executive Producer [24][25]
2016 One in a Billion Documentary Executive Producer [26][27]
2017 Mini Marilyn Short Executive Producer
2018 Comedy by Blake TV Mini-Series Director and Executive Producer [28]
2018 The 5th Quarter TV Series Creator, Director, Showrunner, Executive Producer [29][30]
2018–present Cold as Balls TV Series Creator, Director, Showrunner, Executive Producer Seasons 1-6; Ongoing; LOL Network [31][32]
2019 Can I Steal You for a Second? TV Series Executive Producer
2019 Historical Roasts TV Series Director and Executive Producer [33]
2020 Justin Bieber feat. Quavo: Intentions Music Video Director and Executive Producer
2020 Justin Bieber: Seasons TV Series Director and Executive Producer [34]
2020 A Season with the Memphis Tigers TV Series Executive Producer [35]
2020 &Music TV Series Director and Executive Producer [36]
2020 Justin Bieber: Next Chapter Documentary Special Director and Executive Producer [37][38]
2021 Demi Lovato: Dancing with the Devil Documentary Series Director and Executive Producer [39]
2021 Who’s In My Bathroom? With Hailey Rhode Bieber TV Series Director and Executive Producer [40][41]
2021 Inside Kylie Cosmetics Documentary Series Director and Executive Producer
2021 Justin Bieber: Our World Documentary Director and Executive Producer [42]
2021 Elton John: Inside the Lockdown Sessions Documentary Feature Executive Producer Apple Music
2021 Adele: The 30 Interview TV Special Executive Producer Apple Music
2022 The Game Plan With Shaquille O'Neal TV Series Executive Producer TNT
TBD Storytown Animation; TV Series Executive Producer HBO Max; In Development

Recognition

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Ratner was recognized by Variety as one of Hollywood’s Creative New Leaders in 2018.[43] He was named to Forbes’s 30 Under 30 2019 list for Hollywood & Entertainment.[44] In 2023, Ratner was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Music Film for his work on Our World.[45]

Awards and nominations

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Year Association Award Category Nomination Result
2021 2021 MTV Movie & TV Awards Best Music Documentary Demi Lovato: Dancing with the Devil [46] Nominated
2021 SXSW Official Selection - Opening Headliner Demi Lovato: Dancing with the Devil [47][48] Nominated
2020 Streamy Awards Sports Cold as Balls [49] Nominated
2020 2020 MTV Video Music Awards Best Pop Video Intentions - Justin Bieber ft. Quavo Nominated
2018 Streamy Awards Sports Cold as Balls [50] Won
2016 Tribeca Film Festival Official Selection Gonzo @ the Derby [51][52] Nominated
2014 Tribeca Film Festival Official Selection The 30 Year Old Bris[53][54] Nominated

References

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  1. ^ a b Macon, Alexandra (2022-07-29). "Inside Lauren Rothberg and Michael D. Ratner's Star-Studded Napa Valley Wedding". Vogue. Retrieved 2025-06-07.
  2. ^ Fisher, Eric (May 25, 2018). "Michael D. Ratner reflects on shifting video industry trends". L.A. Business First. Retrieved 2025-06-08.
  3. ^ Spanos, Brittany (2020-01-27). "Justin Bieber's 'Seasons': How Director Michael Ratner Made 'Real-Time' Docuseries". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2025-06-08.
  4. ^ Gardner, Chris (2024-05-29). "Demi Lovato to Present Michael D. Ratner With Storyteller of the Year Honors at Project Healthy Minds Gala in New York". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2025-06-08.
  5. ^ Rys, Dan (2024-12-20). "How OBB Media Helped iHeart's Jingle Ball & Sabrina Carpenter's Holiday TV Special Come to Life". Billboard. Retrieved 2025-06-08.
  6. ^ Cho, Winston (2024-11-20). "Next Gen 2024: 35 Rising Hollywood Executives Under 35". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2025-06-08.
  7. ^ a b Bova, Dan (February 22, 2018). "This Man Started His Own Content Company and Got 20 Million YouTube Views With Kevin Hart". Entrepreneur. Retrieved 2022-03-15.
  8. ^ a b Schrot, Paul (October 15, 2018). "This 29-Year-Old CEO Got His Big Break by Cold Calling Stars Like Kevin Hart and Blake Griffin. Here's His Secret to Success". Money. Retrieved 2025-06-08.
  9. ^ Schneider, Michael (2024-10-22). "Former NBCU, Dick Clark Prods. Exec Adam Stotsky Joins OBB Media, Launches Branded Content Studio Bolded as President (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 2025-06-08.
  10. ^ Epstein, Dan (2016-05-11). "Remembering Hunter S. Thompson's Gonzo Kentucky Derby Epic". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2025-06-08.
  11. ^ ""One in A Billion" Bought By Netflix". tisch.nyu.edu. Retrieved 2025-06-08.
  12. ^ Jr, Mike Fleming (2016-02-05). "Mandalay Sports Media Teams With OBB Pictures For Sports Projects; 76ers' Joel Embiid First In Lineup". Deadline. Retrieved 2025-06-08.
  13. ^ "Tisch Gala 2016". tisch.nyu.edu. Retrieved 2025-06-08.
  14. ^ Hipes, Patrick (2018-09-20). "Netflix Lands Jeff Ross-Starring 'Historical Roasts' From OBB Pictures As Original Series". Deadline. Retrieved 2025-06-08.
  15. ^ Spangler, Todd (2020-02-05). "Justin Bieber's 'Seasons' Docuseries Sets YouTube Originals Viewing Record". Variety. Retrieved 2025-06-08.
  16. ^ Krewen, Nick (February 21, 2020). "WATCH: Justin Bieber's Intentions Video Highlights Women at Alexandria House; Sets Up Fund | Samaritanmag". Samaritan Magazine. Retrieved 2025-06-08.
  17. ^ "Amazon Grabs New Justin Bieber Doc 'Our World'". The Hollywood Reporter. 7 September 2021. Retrieved 2022-04-24.
  18. ^ Nasinde, Shama (2021-07-15). "Kylie Jenner Says Stormi Is Launching Her Own Brand". Teen Vogue. Retrieved 2025-06-08.
  19. ^ "Hip-Hop Adult Animated Comedy 'Storytown' In Works At HBO Max With Kevin Hart & Michael D. Ratner As EPs". Deadline Hollywood. 4 February 2022. Retrieved 2022-05-05.
  20. ^ "Spotify's Billions Club: The Series". Webby Awards. Retrieved 2025-06-08.
  21. ^ McGrath, Maggie (November 29, 2022). "Hailey Bieber Is Out To Prove Her Entrepreneurial Chops Are More Than Skin-Deep". Forbes. Retrieved 2025-06-08.
  22. ^ Burba, Annabel (2025-05-28). "E.l.f. Beauty Just Bought Hailey Bieber's Rhode in a $1 Billion Deal". Inc. Archived from the original on 2025-06-01. Retrieved 2025-06-08.
  23. ^ Kroll, Justin (2015-01-23). "Dwayne Johnson Joins Sports Doc 'In Football We Trust' as Producer". Variety. Retrieved 2022-03-14.
  24. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (2016-02-05). "Mandalay Sports Media Teams With OBB Pictures For Sports Projects; 76ers' Joel Embiid First In Lineup". Deadline. Retrieved 2022-03-14.
  25. ^ "Reaching millennials: producer Michael Ratner finds a 'snackable content' niche within his generation". The Drum. Retrieved 2022-03-14.
  26. ^ "Netflix documentary follows journey of First NBA player born in India". NBC News. 8 December 2016. Retrieved 2022-03-14.
  27. ^ "Watch Comedy By Blake | Prime Video". www.amazon.com. Retrieved 2022-03-14.
  28. ^ "Fecha de estreno y tráiler de la serie de Justin Bieber". Spoiler Time (in Mexican Spanish). 31 December 2019. Retrieved 2022-03-14.
  29. ^ "'The 5th Quarter' Creator Talks About Making Comedy With Blake Griffin". UPROXX. 2017-11-30. Retrieved 2022-03-14.
  30. ^ Hipes, Patrick (2017-10-24). "'The 5th Quarter' Sports Mockumentary Series From OBB Pictures Renewed For Two New Seasons On go90". Deadline. Retrieved 2022-03-14.
  31. ^ "In Focus: Michael D. Ratner - Founder of OBB Pictures on Producing Content for All Platforms". Telly Awards. 2018-05-03. Retrieved 2022-03-14.
  32. ^ "Michael D. Ratner talks the remarkable success of Cold As Balls ahead of Season 2". Awful Announcing. 2018-08-21. Retrieved 2022-03-14.
  33. ^ Hipes, Patrick (2018-09-20). "Netflix Lands Jeff Ross-Starring 'Historical Roasts' From OBB Pictures As Original Series". Deadline. Retrieved 2022-03-14.
  34. ^ Havens, Lyndsey (2020-02-14). "Justin Bieber's 'Seasons' Director On the Docuseries: 'Nothing Was Off Limits'". Billboard. Retrieved 2022-03-14.
  35. ^ Gasaway, John (2020-04-30). "Ranking the 25 best college basketball coaching hires of the past 25 years". ABC11 Raleigh-Durham. Retrieved 2022-03-14.
  36. ^ Bennett, Anita (2019-09-25). "Quibi Orders Music Documentary Series from Michael D. Ratner, Scooter Braun & JD Roth". Deadline. Retrieved 2022-03-14.
  37. ^ Gardner, Rania Aniftos (2020-10-24). "Justin Bieber Sheds Light on 'Next Chapter' in YouTube Originals Documentary Event". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2022-03-14.
  38. ^ Hipes, Patrick (2020-10-23). "YouTube Sets 'Justin Bieber: Next Chapter' Special Following 'Seasons' Success – Watch The Trailer". Deadline. Retrieved 2022-03-14.
  39. ^ Aniftos, Rania (2021-03-17). "How Demi Lovato's 'Dancing With the Devil' Documentary Sheds an Unrealistic 'Role Model' Label & Uncovers the Truth". Billboard. Retrieved 2022-03-14.
  40. ^ Wagmeister, Elizabeth (2021-03-12). "Hailey Bieber Launches YouTube Channel: 'I Control What's Going Out There…That Feels Freeing' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 2022-03-14.
  41. ^ Rosario, Alexandra Del (2021-03-12). "Hailey Bieber Teams With OBB Pictures To Launch Official YouTube Channel". Deadline. Retrieved 2022-03-14.
  42. ^ Carey, Matthew (2021-10-09). "'Justin Bieber: Our World' Director Michael D. Ratner On "Tentpole" Concert Documentary: "Listen With The Volume Maxed Out"". Deadline. Retrieved 2022-03-14.
  43. ^ "Hollywood's New Leaders 2018: The Creatives". Variety. 2018-10-17. Retrieved 2022-03-13.
  44. ^ Variety Staff (2018-10-17). "From Timothée Chalamet To Zazie Beetz, The Hollywood 30 Under 30 Class Of 2019". Forbes. Retrieved 2022-07-11.
  45. ^ "Michael D. Ratner". GRAMMY.
  46. ^ "Taylor Swift, BTS & More Up for Best Music Documentary at MTV Movie & TV Awards: Exclusive". Billboard. May 7, 2020. Retrieved April 5, 2022.
  47. ^ "SXSW Sets 'Demi Lovato: Dancing With The Devil' As Film Festival Opener; Unveils Program Highlights". January 14, 2021. Retrieved April 5, 2022.
  48. ^ "2021 Film Festival Announces Demi Lovato: Dancing with the Devil as Opening Night Headliner & More". January 14, 2021. Retrieved April 5, 2022.
  49. ^ "Streamy Awards: Kevin Hart's 'Cold As Balls' Among Winners – Complete List". October 12, 2020. Retrieved April 5, 2022.
  50. ^ "Streamy Awards: Kevin Hart's 'Cold As Balls' Among Winners – Complete List". October 22, 2018. Retrieved April 5, 2022.
  51. ^ "Gonzo @ the Derby". Tribeca Film. April 14, 2016. Retrieved April 5, 2022.
  52. ^ "Gonzo @ the Derby Directed by Michael D. Ratner". ESPN. April 28, 2014. Retrieved April 5, 2022.
  53. ^ "The 30 Year Old Bris". Tribeca Film. April 14, 2018. Retrieved April 5, 2022.
  54. ^ "Catching Up With The 30 Year Old Bris Director Michael D. Ratner". Paste Magazine. April 28, 2014. Retrieved April 5, 2022.
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