Perspective Pictures chooses user-friendly Airwallex for global payments

Creative agency Perspective Pictures switched to Airwallex after its traditional banking partner regularly blocked payments – especially when working abroad – when teams, equipment, locations and props all needed to be bought quickly. 

Founder and Managing Director Rupert Rixon had heard about Airwallex and was delighted when his frustrations disappeared rapidly. He managed to switch at speed and instead of being a blocker, Airwallex became an enabler; instantly saving the company time, money, and hassle.

Just as importantly, Rupert’s father, Perspective Pictures’ bookkeeper and technophobe, has found the Airwallex app to be intuitive and user-friendly.

A trip to Tinseltown inspired a change of payment providers

With an increasing number of projects overseas – including Europe, North and South America, Asia, and North Africa – Perspective Pictures needed a payment solution that enabled quick and hassle-free transactions.

However, the company’s high-street bank was more of a blocker than an enabler. “We had been having problems with our traditional bank for quite some time,” admits Rupert, who in 2020 was named one of Forbes’ 30 under 30. But habits can be hard to break.

The penny dropped, as it were, for him on a shoot in Los Angeles. “We quickly needed to secure locations, equipment hire, props, yet every time we tried to make a transaction or pay for something, the bank would block the account,” Rupert says. “I would have to spend an hour, starting at 1am, to get the account unblocked.”

This situation was clearly not ideal. Perspective Pictures required a solution that could enable global payments, no matter where in the world they were made, so the team could focus not on doing what they do best: creating and making excellent online content. After the LA issues, Rupert resolved to change payment partners.

Rupert Rixon

Managing Director, Perspective Pictures

“We can pay our international talent quickly and securely and avoid excessive FX fees. We can also create a multi-currency card for our producers instantly and keep track of receipts on the go.”

Airwallex arrives on set

Having reached the end of his tether due to transactions being blocked with frustrating regularity, Rupert was determined to find an alternative – and fast. “Luckily, I had heard about Airwallex, which I was able to sign up for in just a few minutes,” he explains.

Now, his only regret about moving to Airwallex is that the company didn’t do so sooner. “We can pay our international talent quickly and securely and avoid excessive FX fees,” Rupert continues. “We can also create a multi-currency card for our producers instantly and keep track of receipts on the go.”

Rupert also praises the Airwallex application. “The user interface is genuinely good – simple, intuitive and easy to use.” Of course, for a so-called digital native, this isn’t a surprise. But given that his father, Chris, looks after the bookkeeping and handles transactions, the straightforward nature of the app is a massive plus.

“Dad is really not good with technology at all,” says Rupert. “He has been absolutely fine transferring over to Airwallex.” 

Rupert Rixon

Managing Director, Perspective Pictures

“Genuinely, Airwallex has saved us so much time, money, and hassle. Previously there would always be this anxiety when we were doing these big shoots or having to work with lots of remote teams and pay them, and I would be constantly worried that we would have our bank account locked.”