All Roads Lead To… The Best Roman Pizza in MCR: Launching Ciaooo By The Slice

All Roads Lead To… The Best Roman Pizza in MCR: Launching Ciaooo By The Slice

Create a launch moment that clearly positions Ciaooo By The Slice as a bold new concept – not just a rebrand – and cement its place in Manchester’s crowded food scene. Our aim? Celebrate the shift from soft and chewy Neapolitan to crispy Roman-style pizza, while building on the credibility of the original Ciaooo brand.

The Challenge.

The site previously housed Ciaooo’s much-loved Loaded Garlic Bread concept – and the decision to close it wasn’t met quietly. There was loyalty. Expectation. A benchmark already set.

Our challenge was to build just as much hype for what came next – and make sure we positioned Ciaooo By The Slice as a standalone concept. A sister venue – but in a different font:

Pizza by the slice isn’t new to the city – but Roman pizza is. Baked low and slow on large trays in an electric oven, then cut into generous 9×6” slices, pizza al taglio (which translates to “by the cut”) is known for its crispy base, light and airy dough, and fresh Italian toppings. It’s a completely different experience to Ciaooo’s classic soft and chewy Neapolitan – and a first for Manchester city centre.

The press coverage had to strike the right balance between familiarity and freshness – not replicating what came before, but evolving it, with a clear point of difference and a brand-new offering

The Solution.

We introduced the next chapter of a Manchester cult favourite – and made it clear this wasn’t just a name change, but a totally new concept. We led with clarity, craveability, and confidence – using a two-phased press office to spotlight the venue’s Roman roots: a crispy base, bold and rotating toppings, and of course, Lory’s now-infamous tiramisu tins.

Two days of media previews gave Manchester’s top titles a first look (and slice), while a curated list of foodies and lifestyle creators took to socials with hot honey pours, and dessert tins and most importantly pizza slices for days. From press coverage to pizza-packed feeds, every part of the launch worked to educate, excite and carve out a new (and Roman) identity for Ciaooo By The Slice. 

Our Approach.

We opened with a focused press strategy – deliberately split into two clear beats to control the rollout and give each moment the airtime it deserved. First, to announce the concept shift. Then, to mark the doors officially open. This gave us space to spotlight the venue’s unique offering and build momentum over time – not just a one-day hit.

Alongside this, we created moments that felt intentional and shareable – from staggered preview sessions for press to curated influencer bookings. Rather than chasing mass reach, we prioritised relevance: the right people, telling the right story, to audiences who would actually care (and come hungry).

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