During a seventeen-year tenure at MTV Studios, Joe DeMaio directed some of the most iconic shows in the network’s history, from Total Request Live, Singled Out, and Unplugged, to major cultural events like New Year’s Eve in Times Square or the now legendary Woodstock 99.

Joe left MTV in 2006 to take the director’s chair at ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live, where he stayed for four and a half years. After directing nearly 800 shows, Joe left JKL to pursue a freelance career and a wider spectrum of work.

Joe teamed up with producer Mark Burnett to direct five years of the MTV Movie Awards. In addition, he directed the MTV Video Music Awards at Paramount’s Back Lot and the first ever Japanese Video Music Awards in Tokyo, Japan.

With extensive experience at the helm of multi-camera live concerts and award shows, Joe has worked closely with ABC, NBC, VH1, CMT and CBS to name a few. Throughout his career, Joe has directed the biggest names in the music business, from U2’s unforgettable performance under the Brooklyn Bridge, to Madonna’s first ever MTV Special, to three live CBS specials featuring Garth Brooks.

In the time since, Joe has directed such notable events as the 63rd Primetime Emmy Awards, the 2013 Miss America Pageant, A Michael Bublé Christmas on NBC, Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards, and the CMT Music Awards.

In 2018, Joe directed the “Survivor” Finale for CBS, “Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks” for NBC, “Yellowstone Live” for Nat Geo, “Safe-word” game show series for MTV, “CMT Music Awards” and “Miss America” for ABC, “Hocus Pocus 25” for Freeform, the “March For Our Lives” rally for Facebook and three “Disney Holiday Celebration” shows for ABC/Disney