Tim Gerhartz to become Chief Commercial Officer at ZDF Studios
Experienced sales professional to join ZDF Studios management team on 1 October
Mainz, July 15th, 2025
The internationally experienced sales expert Tim Gerhartz will expand the management team of the ZDF Studios Group as Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) with effect from 1 October.
The ZDF Studios Group comprises the business units Production, Distribution and Solutions & Services. In his new role, Tim Gerhartz will lead and further develop the Distribution business unit, particularly focusing on the management of the co-production and licence trading business of ZDF Studios GmbH.
Under his leadership, ZDF Studios intends to further strengthen its position as a leading European co-production partner and programme provider. He will also intensify the collaboration between the Distribution and Production business units as part of the ZDF Studios Group's strategy.
Tim Gerhartz studied Business Administration, Political Science, and Media Law at Ludwig Maximilian University in Munich and the University of Westminster in London. He began his career in the media industry in 2010 at ZDF Enterprises GmbH (now ZDF Studios GmbH). He then held various positions at Seven.One Studios International GmbH. Most recently, as Managing Director from April 2021, he was responsible for programme development, buying, sales and marketing across all genres via the Munich and London offices.
Gerhartz was particularly responsible for the international expansion of programme brands in collaboration with internal and external creatives. He stands for the successful, international and cross-genre development and marketing of formats such as ‘Married at First Sight’, ‘Stranded on Honeymoon Island’ and ‘The Hunt’ in the non-fictional sector and in the fictional sector for programmes such as the German-Austrian co-production ‘Vienna Blood’ and the Canadian thriller series ‘Departure’.
Dr Markus Schäfer, President and CEO of ZDF Studios, says: “For the ZDF Studios Group, creating attractive programme offerings for our customers and partners according to our maxim "Inspire – Create – Produce – Distribute" is our top priority, and we dedicate ourselves to it with great enthusiasm and passion every day. As a co-production partner and international programme supplier, the Distribution business unit plays a key role in this. I know Tim to be an extremely high-profile and professional industry colleague who is also very likeable and communicative. I am therefore delighted that we have been able to recruit Tim to lead our Distribution business unit. This is all the more significant given that he is returning to his professional roots at ZDF Studios GmbH in his new position.”
Tim Gerhartz: ”I am delighted to be returning to the place where I started my career - this time with new perspectives in my luggage. ZDF Studios is a company that is both excellently positioned on the market and powerful. Being responsible for the development and international establishment of strong German and European programmes from here - and at the same time working on sustainable business models - is both an exciting and honourable task for me. I would also like to thank Henrik Pabst, Chief Content Officer of ProSiebenSat.1 and CEO of Seven.One Studios Group, and Martin Metzger, Chief Operating Officer of Seven.One Studios Group, who have always encouraged and supported me during my time at Seven.One International."
---
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, 55127 Mainz/Germany, tel.: +49 6131-9911130, email: christine.denilauler@zdf-studios.com, www.zdf-studios.com