Case Study

Launching a Heartfelt New Experience at Semolina Pasta & Pantry

Challenge

Semolina Pasta & Pantry, a beloved neighborhood shop in Bay View, sought to introduce Supper with Zia P, an intimate, hands-on Italian cooking and dining experience rooted in owner Petra Orlowski’s personal family traditions. With the first event launching Mother’s Day weekend, the goal was to raise awareness, generate bookings, and establish Supper with Zia P as a unique, ongoing experience centered on food, community, and connection.

Solution

Campe + Co. partnered with Semolina to craft and execute a launch strategy rooted in storytelling, cultural relevance, and media engagement. We developed a combined press pitch, news release, and media advisory to introduce Petra’s story, the concept behind the experience, and the emotional resonance of gathering around the table to cook and share a meal.

Our strategy positioned Supper with Zia P as the perfect Mother’s Day gift and a much-needed antidote to disconnection—something experiential, local, and heartfelt. We targeted top Milwaukee media outlets across food, lifestyle, culture, and gift guides to maximize awareness and credibility ahead of the launch.

Strategy

To generate buzz and establish a strong narrative foundation, Campe + Co. developed a media pitch that centered on Petra’s Italian heritage, the heartfelt inspiration behind Supper with Zia P, and the emotional resonance of sharing meals with family. We positioned the series not just as a pop-up event, but as a culturally rich and intimate experience, launching with a timely and emotionally resonant hook tied to Mother’s Day.

We identified key local outlets and secured interview opportunities and event previews with select journalists, ensuring the story’s tone and values were communicated authentically. Our strategic media outreach resulted in feature coverage from major Milwaukee publications including the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Urban Milwaukee, OnMilwaukee, FOX6 News, and Milwaukee Record.

Throughout all coverage, we maintained message consistency, emphasizing the Supper’s warmth, personal storytelling, and communal spirit—helping to build a recognizable and emotionally compelling identity for the series.

Results

• Supper with Zia P sold out its debut event and received overwhelmingly positive attendee feedback.

• Generated feature coverage in five major Milwaukee outlets, including TV and digital platforms.

• Successfully introduced a brand-new product offering while elevating Semolina’s visibility as a local cultural and culinary destination.

Key Takeaways

By anchoring the launch of Supper with Zia P in human-centered storytelling and strategically timed media outreach, Campe + Co. helped Semolina turn a deeply personal vision into a public-facing success. The campaign not only drove bookings for the first event but laid the foundation for this monthly supper series to become one of Milwaukee’s most memorable cultural dining experiences.

Semolina is now poised to build on this momentum with a series that proves the most powerful marketing isn’t flashy—it’s genuine. Supper with Zia P resonates because it’s rooted in real stories, shared meals, and the heartfelt connection people are hungry for.