Dinnertime, Showtime

In 2022, Pizza Express invited us to the table to spice up their internal comms, and we’ve been cooking up a storm ever since. It all started with their first major conference in years, where we whipped up a feast of content — sizzling opening sizzle reels, punchy animations, and a video that took everyone from their global expansion plans to their new culture code, Head, Heart, Home. And just when you thought the show was over, we plated up a business-wide sizzle that’s not only turning heads at conferences but also making waves as they roll out into new markets. Because at Pizza Express, when it’s dinnertime, it’s always showtime.

The journey began with their first major internal conference in years, a key moment to reconnect, reset, and reignite their people across the business. This wasn’t going to be a standard PowerPoint-and-podium affair. This was PizzaExpress. A brand built on performance, flair, and a deep love of connection. So, we brought the same energy to the comms, delivering content with theatre, timing, and a twist of heat.

We created a full suite of content for the event – starting with a sizzling opening sizzle reel designed to grab attention and set the tone. Fast-paced, visually rich, and full of that unmistakable PizzaExpress spirit, it kicked things off with energy to spare. From there, we developed a range of punchy animations and motion graphics, helping leaders communicate everything from growth strategies to brand values in ways that felt dynamic and digestible.

One of the standout moments? A flagship video that told the evolving story of the brand — from its Italian-inspired beginnings, through its ambitious global expansion plans, right up to its renewed focus on purpose, people, and culture. At the heart of it all was a new internal mantra: Head, Heart, Home — a powerful framework that captures how PizzaExpress leads with clarity (Head), cares deeply (Heart), and creates a place where people belong (Home). We brought that idea to life with warmth, character, and a tone that felt distinctly PizzaExpress: honest, human, and a little bit cheeky.

The content has become a flexible, ever-evolving tool that helps PizzaExpress tell its story across multiple touchpoints. Whether it’s energising a room full of team leaders, introducing new employees to the brand, or showcasing the company’s vision in new international markets, the content we developed keeps doing its thing.

At the core of our work with PizzaExpress is a simple idea: internal comms can be as exciting as the best ad campaign. Just like the brand’s restaurants, it’s all about experience, about how people feel when they engage with the message. That’s why every frame, every sound cue, every motion beat is considered and carefully crafted. Because if the comms don’t feel good, they won’t land. And if they don’t land, they won’t lead.

We’re proud to be a creative partner that helps PizzaExpress keep its internal storytelling as fresh and exciting as its food. The brand has always been about more than pizza – it’s about people, performance, and passion. And our job is to make sure that energy shows up in every piece of content, from the first conference slide to the last onboarding frame.

So, whether we’re animating a strategy update or crafting a culture film, we bring the same mindset to the table: when it’s dinnertime, it’s always showtime.