HAVAS Red Australia and Wise launch cheeky “Fleece-Free FX” activation to expose hidden holiday charges
As Australians jet off for their annual winter escape, international money app Wise is ruffling more than a few feathers—this time with a flock of sheep in tow.
In a playful campaign that combines experiential, social and earned media, Wise has teamed up with HAVAS Red Australia to launch Fleece-Free FX: a tongue-in-cheek pop-up currency exchange run by pygmy sheep, set against the iconic backdrop of North Bondi Surf Life Saving Club.
The campaign puts a spotlight on “The Great Fleecing”—the billions lost annually to hidden travel fees charged by traditional banks and currency exchanges. Backed by new research from Wise and YouGov, the Shear Madness Index reveals that 90% of Aussie travellers unknowingly use cards or cash options abroad that come with a tangle of hidden charges: foreign transaction fees, currency conversion markups, and even weekend rate surcharges.
According to the data, 78% of Aussies say they’ve been blindsided by unexpected fees while overseas—and they’re not staying silent. More than a third say they’d consider switching to a more transparent provider, while another third are ready to air their frustrations on social media.
Enter Fleece-Free FX: a fully-branded, sheep-powered currency exchange experience that invites Aussies to reconsider how they manage money abroad. The event includes:
The activation is not just about cute animals and cocktails—it’s about shifting consumer behaviour. Wise’s debit card offers travellers the ability to hold and convert 40 currencies at the mid-market rate (the one you see on Google), with no hidden markups or fees. It’s up to 85% cheaper to use abroad compared to bank-issued cards.
“The Big Banks have been pulling the wool over Aussies’ eyes for years,” says Anhar Khanbhai, APAC PR Lead at Wise. “We’re taking a stand—bringing sheep to Bondi to ram home the message that Australians deserve transparency. This is about giving power back to the people.”
For Aussie executive Matthew, the switch to Wise has saved him up to $4,000 a year in hidden fees. That’s the equivalent of 666 pints in London, 266 pub meals in Glasgow, or 2,000 Portuguese tarts in Lisbon—now part of his travel budget, not lost in fine print.
And in a world where even social media recommendations are letting travellers down—70% of Aussies report being disappointed by viral travel content—the need for transparency extends beyond just financial services.
Michael Ozard, Group Brand Experience Director at HAVAS Red Australia, sees the campaign as a perfect example of integrated storytelling:
“Our partnership with Wise shows what happens when creativity, cultural insight and comms come together. Australians are paying a hidden price when they travel—and with a few well-placed sheep, we’re helping them see it.”
Take the next step and reach out today.
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HAVAS Red
