Our Story
Dear Valued Clients and Partners,
Studio X is becoming Studio Xerxes!
From the early days of Zach Peterson Productions to building Imprezz Studio, and now, to our exciting new chapter as part of Xerxes Global, I’m filled with gratitude and anticipation for what lies ahead.
It all began in 2009, when I made the bold decision to leave a stable job at WCCO-TV. At that time, the world was grappling with a major recession, but it was also a moment of transformative change in the digital landscape. I saw an opportunity: to create compelling television and online ads that helped local businesses stand out, all while utilizing what I believed was the most powerful marketing tool of the time—television commercials.
The concept of starting my own business wasn’t as daunting as it may seem. With the ability to write and produce ads for television and the web at a fraction of the cost, I could reach a wider audience without compromising quality. So, Zach Peterson Productions was born. It was a small operation, just me at the helm, working alongside the incredibly talented production community in the Twin Cities as needed.
As the 2010s rolled in, the need for visual communication exploded. The demand for short-form content skyrocketed, and the video production industry responded by focusing on larger, high-budget projects. However, I saw a different path. Rather than chasing bigger projects, I recognized that businesses needed more affordable, high-quality video solutions to stay competitive. So, in 2019, I made a pivotal decision: to build a fully equipped green-screen studio and create a business model that allowed clients to come to me, ensuring I could control the production environment and meet the growing demand for content.
Then, in a twist that no one could have predicted, COVID-19 hit. But, in the midst of this global crisis, having a studio was a game-changer. As businesses closed their doors and social distancing became the norm, our studio remained a safe and productive space. In fact, our business, now rebranded as Imprezz, tripled in revenue, and I was able to bring on three amazing full-time team members to help fuel our growth.
However, as 2022 approached, I realized the landscape was shifting once again. The pandemic had created temporary demand, but as the world slowly returned to normal, I had to think ahead. That’s when I crossed paths with Emily Callahan, Chief Innovation Officer at Xerxes Global. Emily shared my vision for providing businesses with ongoing, high-quality content solutions, and together, we saw the potential for something greater.
Studio Xerxes was born. We’ve spent the past two years building and refining a state-of-the-art studio, equipped with the latest technology to deliver the best possible results for our clients. We’ve successfully provided innovative content solutions to our existing partners, as well as to the Xerxes family of businesses. Now, we’re ready to take this offering to the next level and bring our services to even more clients in 2025 and beyond.
I am more excited than ever about the partnerships we’re building, the creative solutions we’re providing, and the high-end production capabilities we now have at our disposal. This Studio Xerxes rebrand not only represents our team’s collective personality and enthusiasm for the future, but shows our unique style and curiosity for new storytelling techniques. Together, we’ll continue to help businesses amplify their brands with top-tier content that captures attention and drives results.
If you’re curious about how Studio Xerxes can help elevate your brand in 2025, don’t hesitate to reach out. The future is bright, and we’d love to be a part of your journey.
With excitement and gratitude,
Zach Peterson
