Personnel Changes in the Fictional Sales Division at ZDF Studios
Robert Franke to Focus on Producing; Tim Gerhartz Assumes Interim Leadership
Mainz, December 15, 2025
Starting in 2026, Robert Franke, VP Drama at ZDF Studios, will concentrate on producing as Co-Managing Director of Intaglio Films GmbH. Based in Berlin, Intaglio Films is a joint venture between ZDF Studios and Beta Film, dedicated to developing high-quality series for both national and international markets. In addition to his role at ZDF Studios, Franke has served as Managing Director of Intaglio Films alongside Jan Wünschmann since 2018.
The Drama division at ZDF Studios will be led on an interim basis by Tim Gerhartz, who will assume this responsibility alongside his current role as Chief Commercial Officer overseeing global distribution. The Drama division is responsible for marketing ZDF’s fictional programming output, international co-productions, and original content development.
Dr. Markus Schäfer, President and CEO of ZDF Studios, commented: "For ten years, Robert Franke has successfully overseen the development, financing, and distribution of fictional programming at ZDF Studios. Under his leadership, our fiction business has grown significantly. Through targeted investments in new content and the expansion into new business areas and clients, Robert and his team have continuously increased our business volume. We respect his wish to refocus on his producing talents and are delighted that he will bring his deep expertise and experience in developing and financing international fiction projects to Intaglio Films. Robert leaves behind a well-positioned division that Tim Gerhartz, together with the team, will continue to strengthen in this key genre."
Robert Franke added: "After more than ten rewarding years with the company, it is time for me to redefine my priorities. Expanding my role at Intaglio Films brings together the core aspects of my previous work while giving me the freedom to focus on topics that will shape my work in the coming years. At the same time, it opens up opportunities to set new impulses beyond traditional production business. I would like to thank my team and ZDF Studios for their trust and collaboration over the past years."
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About ZDF Studios
ZDF Studios is a commercial subsidiary of ZDF, one of the largest TV broadcasters in Europe. Founded in 1993 and headquartered in Mainz, Germany, the ZDF Studios Group operates more than 30 direct and indirect subsidiaries and affiliates in Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom spanning TV production, distribution and services. The parent company, ZDF Studios, is responsible for global programme distribution, realisation of international co-productions, acquisition of licences and merchandising of successful programme brands under its own name, for ZDF and third parties. ZDF Studios has the largest German-language programme inventory in the world and a constantly growing range of international productions, consisting of series and mini-series, television films, documentaries and children's programmes.
The companies of the ZDF Studios Group cover the entire value chain from the development of scripted and unscripted TV content to production, marketing and monetizing, including TV and streaming licences as well as merchandising and online rights. The positioning of ZDF Studios as an integrated media company enables the development of innovative, outstanding and high-quality programmes and makes the Group an attractive workplace for German and international talent to flourish in a very inspiring and creative environment.
Contact ZDF Studios
Christine Denilauler (VP Marketing and Corporate Communications), ZDF Studios GmbH, Erich-Dombrowski-Str. 1, D-55127 Mainz/Germany, Tel.: +49 6131-9911130, E-mail: christine.denilauler@zdf-studios.com, www.zdf-studios.com