Gerhartz joining ZDF Studios Group as Chief Commercial Officer
July 15, 2025
Tim Gerhartz will expand the management team of the ZDF Studios Group as Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) with effect from October 1st.
The ZDF Studios Group comprises the business units Production, Distribution and Solutions & Services. In his new role, 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.
Gerhartz began his career in the media industry in 2010 at ZDF Enterprises (now ZDF Studios). 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, commented: “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.”
Gerhartz added: ”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.”
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