Case Study: ZDF Studios achieves rapid digital contract workflows and business continuity with Adobe Acrobat Sign

How ZDF Studios GmbH is digitalizing its core business with the help of electronic signatures

ZDF Studios GmbH, a Mainz‑based distributor and co‑producer of TV content founded in 1993 (≈160 employees, €82M revenue in 2019), faced a sudden disruption to its core contract and content workflows when COVID‑19 made paper signatures and couriered contracts impractical. The company needed to digitize royalty and licensing contracts, introduce new digital tools, and streamline a highly fragmented, high‑volume media business that also manages tens of thousands of artwork files for VoD distribution.

ZDF Studios implemented Adobe Acrobat Sign for electronic signatures and Adobe Experience Manager Assets for digital asset management, combined with tailored employee training and a clear signature policy. Within months the company scaled to 90+ users, reduced contract turnaround from weeks to days or hours, kept business moving remotely, and began automating the reformatting and delivery of thousands of graphics—establishing Adobe as a core component of its digitalization strategy.

ZDF Studios

Simon Zsebök

Vice President Digital Innovation