Former Netflix and Motion Picture Association executive brings more than two decades of experience in age ratings, content standards and children’s safety
NEW YORK, Oct. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) today announced that Orit Michiel will become its president, effective November 2, 2026. Michiel will lead the video game industry’s efforts in helping parents make informed decisions about video games and apps through age and content ratings, resources for families, industry advertising standards and the ESRB Privacy Certified program. Michiel will also serve on the Board of Directors for the International Age Rating Coalition (IARC), which provides global age ratings for digitally delivered games and apps.
Continue Reading
Michiel brings extensive experience developing and strengthening age-rating systems across the entertainment industry. At Netflix, she served as Director, Content Policy, leading the global Content Policy team and developing a global classification and maturity-rating system. Before joining Netflix, Michiel spent 13 years at the Motion Picture Association (MPA), serving as Vice President, Legal Affairs, and chair of the Classification and Rating Appeals Board. She led a comprehensive overhaul of the motion picture industry’s U.S. rating and advertising guidelines, working with industry partners, regulators and international ratings bodies on content classification and child protection.
“Orit understands the responsibility that comes with providing trusted age ratings and the numerous positive benefits of interactive entertainment on our society and culture,” said Strauss Zelnick, Chairman and CEO of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc., and Chair, Board of Directors of the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) and ESRB. “Her experience across the entertainment industry, and her deep knowledge of classification systems, makes her an exceptional choice to lead ESRB for the future. She will build on its longstanding commitment to giving parents clear, reliable information to decide what is right for their families and ensuring that our self-regulated industry continues to adhere to its stringent guidelines and practices.”
As president, Michiel will oversee ESRB’s age and content rating system, enforcement of advertising and marketing guidelines adopted by the video game industry, and Privacy Certified program, which helps companies implement responsible privacy practices. Michiel will replace Patricia Vance, who is retiring after more than 20 years in her role as ESRB president.
“Interactive entertainment sparks imagination, inspires learning and brings families together. Parents deserve clear, useful information to help them choose gameplay experiences that are right for their children,” said Michiel. “ESRB has earned parents’ trust and empowered them with that information. I am honored to lead this team and build on its work to help families make confident choices as video games and the ways people play continue to evolve.”
Michiel began her career practicing law. She holds a J.D. from the UCLA School of Law and a B.A. in Political Science from UCLA.
The ESRB is a non-profit, self-regulatory body that independently assigns age and content ratings for video games and mobile apps so parents can make informed choices. It also enforces advertising guidelines adopted by the video game industry and helps companies implement responsible online, mobile and internet connected device privacy practices under its Privacy Certified program. Visit www.esrb.org for more information.
