Joe Harkenrider

Joe Harkenrider

Creative Executive & Producer

About

Skilled producer and executive with extensive experience in television, content development, and emerging media platforms. Proven success as a key stakeholder, strategic thinker, and hands-on leader passionate about building teams, shaping creative direction, and driving efficiency through scalable production models.

Professional Experience

Hearst Television - Creative Executive / Executive Producer

February 2022 – September 2024

Led Emmy-winning unscripted series and documentaries, providing comprehensive creative direction from ideation through post-production.
Created five series formats, leading to franchising in multiple markets and significant sponsorship revenue. Operationalized production process and co-led the creation of an updated contract workflow with BALA.

Jukin Media - Director of Development and Programming

July 2018 – July 2021

Senior stakeholder overseeing long-form commissions, branded content, and FAST channel programming. Led creative direction for O&O branded content and oversaw first original series for Sinclair's FAST channel. Successfully rebranded a comedy vertical with 60M followers, achieving 15% revenue growth and a 2021 Webby Award.

GRB Studios - Director of Development

July 2017 – February 2018

Executive in charge leveraging production partner relationships to cost effectively produce commissioned pilot. Oversaw ideation, pitch deck and sizzle reel creation for unscripted concepts.

Mashable - Senior Branded Producer

August 2016 – July 2017

Acted as senior stakeholder facilitating communication between sales, clients, and production teams. Successfully pitched branded series concepts driving $750k in revenue within two quarters. Managed team of 6 internal producers for branded content creation.

Viacom CBS - Senior Producer

September 2014 – August 2016

Developed lifecycle workflow for Comedy Central's digital sketch initiative. Created successful series supporting RuPaul's Drag Race averaging 3.6M views per episode. Oversaw short-form content development for Comedy Central, MTV, VH1, and LOGO.

Comedy Bang! Bang! Productions - Development Coordinator

May 2013 – September 2014

Launched company under first look deal with IFC resulting in 3 pilot scripts and 1 series. Leveraged Earwolf podcast talent and formats to develop TV series concepts.

Amazon Studios - Comedy - Script Analyst

April 2012 – May 2013

Provided script coverage and recommendations leading to three produced pilots of which one went to series.

Bark Industries - Development Coordinator

August 2011 – April 2012

Developed half-hour comedy programming for one of the first OTT streaming network startups led by future head of Amazon Studios Comedy.

Dickhouse Productions - Executive Assistant / Development Coordinator

May 2010 – July 2011

Led scripted initiative advising company principal Jeff Tremaine (jackass), resulting in first scripted series. Contributed to Adult Swim's Loiter Squad development and co-led writers room.

Comedy Central - Executive Assistant

June 2008 – May 2010

Assisted 2 VPs and was part of 3-person team to develop Tosh.0 and Workaholics. Scouted and booked 6-8 live shows per month at the Comedy Central Stage.

Awards & Recognition

Emmy Awards

  • The Spark - Documentary Series Winner 2024
  • Show Me Milwaukee - Lifestyle Series Nominee 2023
  • Restaurant on the Radar - Magazine Series Nominee 2023
  • Blind Kitchen - Lifestyle Series Nominee 2024
  • Absolutely Albuquerque - Lifestyle Series Nominee 2024

Telly Awards

  • The Spark Docuseries - Gold 2023
  • Restaurants on the Radar - Gold 2023
  • Show Me Milwaukee - Gold 2024
  • Absolutely Albuquerque - Gold 2024

Skills & Expertise

Education

Columbia College Chicago

BA of Fine Arts – Interdisciplinary Film/Photography