With a portfolio as far-reaching as his, you’d expect the Ghanaian creative to rest on his laurels. Rather, he’s crafting the next idea, as if chasing one more reason to prove himself.
Zed Benson might seem like a show-off, but in reality, he just doesn’t shy away from what he’s capable of. He’s the embodiment of the phrase “been there, done that,” and yet, somehow, he keeps raising the bar. Before turning 34, the Ghanaian has worn nearly every creative hat–graphic designer, photographer, marketer, content producer, actor, filmmaker, distributor, and creative director. You name it. His influence has touched every corner of his niche and fellow creatives, revealing a mind that refuses to be idle. And unlike most, he’s doing it entirely on his own terms.
A graduate of Fine Arts from the prestigious Beijing Film Academy, Zed Benson was eager to make his mark. “Life in China was quite intimidating at first,” he recalls. “I arrived in 2009. That was my first time abroad, so you can imagine. There was so much to adjust to–the language, the culture, the weather. But I stayed headstrong, and my dream of becoming a filmmaker and entrepreneur kept me going.”
Indeed, Beijing’s piercing winters and cultural hurdles proved worthwhile. Soon, the stars aligned. He landed his first job at Road Pictures just three days after graduating–an opportunity that provided the perfect testing ground for his creative capacity. “I initially joined as a graphic designer,” he says, “but I ended up doing everything they threw at me: photography, video editing, vlogging, and eventually worked my way to Creative Director.” Even then, slowing down wasn’t an option; every task was a sprint toward something bigger.
Zed’s time at the entertainment company was marked by collaborations with the biggest in the business: Alibaba Pictures, Warner Bros., Sony, and Twentieth Century Fox. As a result, he worked alongside teams to deliver back-to-back campaigns for Hollywood blockbusters like Avengers, Tomb Raider, Justice League, Alita: Battle Angel, and many more. These “good times,” as he calls them, opened doors to new connections across film, fashion, tech, and commerce, ushering him into the fast-paced world of creative marketing.
With that exposure came the urge to explore. Zed went on to work with Uniway Communications and ME Production Agency, where he filled the roles of Assistant Entertainment Director and Director of Photography, respectively. By then, it was clear the Ghanaian was ready to take on bigger risks. After all, ambition had brought him this far. Zed, together with three partners launched their own entertainment company, the Dream Team, facilitating shows like the Soulja Boy China Tour, the Iyanya Club Tour, and the Wild Wasted Wet summer parties that became instant favorites.
Well, at least until COVID-19 hit and ruined it for everyone. After almost a decade of living in China, Zed made the decision to move back to Ghana and continue his creative journey where it had all begun. Life, it seemed, had come full circle. His grand return to “real life,” as he playfully calls it, was met with its fair share of struggles and lessons, but his rhythm never slowed. “I saw what was missing and what could be done better,” he says. From helping brands bring their ideas to life through ZEDSTUDIO, to supporting filmmakers with cutting‑edge gear at Cinetek, Zed quickly found his voice among local businesses, musicians, artists, and fellow creatives.
Today, Zed continues to share his vision through photography and film, constantly moving between continents to collaborate with music artists and other creatives across the globe. His versatility and experience have made him a master of his craft, weaving cultural nuance into every frame. Despite running multiple businesses, he still finds time for personal projects. “Being creative is at the core of my existence,” he says. “I knew that before everything else. I’ve learned to see the world through two lenses, and together they keep me going.” Ask him if he’s ever thought of slowing down though, and he laughs: “The grind continues! I’ll keep telling good stories, helping others bring their vision to life, and enjoying every step of the journey.”
