JOEL ZIMMER

EVP, Development

Joel is a 15-year veteran content creator and media exec, whose first producing job was on Last Comic Standing with the Magical Elves.  In his current role he’s responsible for creating, developing and selling the next generation of Magical Elves series.   Prior to the Elves, he ran an independent production banner, Snow Day Entertainment, which produced and developed projects for A&E Originals, FOX Studios, and Zee Americas.   Previously, as Head of Current for 495 Productions (Jersey Shore) he oversaw and Executive Produced over 500 hours of programming for a wide variety of cable and broadcast networks.  He was the show runner on 4 series that set network ratings records: A Shot at Love (MTV),  Design Star (HGTV), Dance Your Ass Off (Oxygen), and Party Down South (CMT).  He was also the showrunner on the global hit comedy series Disaster Date (MTV).  

He started his entertainment career as a full-time touring standup comedian, which lead to his first writing/producing job on The Weakest Link.  He and fellow comedian, John Heffron co-created and patented the wildly popular, That Guy! card game, that sold nearly 100,000 units, and was the first project he packaged as a TV show.  He lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Chris, and their three kids, Calen, Leah, and Brady.