Westpac’s Air Rescue back on the radar with series three via MediaCom Beyond Advertising

Following the immense success of the first two seasons, Air Rescue is back for a third series, premiering at a prime-time spot on Thursday, 3 December at 8pm on Channel 7.

Air Rescue is an observational documentary (ob-doc) via MediaCom and Sydney based production company Fredbird Entertainment, which captures the dramatic rescues performed by the Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter Service (WLRHS), which this year celebrates over 42 years of partnership with Westpac.

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The prime-time series has previously received an average national viewership of well over 1 million people per episode. Season three will feature a six-part series of thirty-minute episodes and 6 short form films for digital.

Viewers witness the work of the service as the series unfolds, through the eyes of much loved crew from the WLRHS, as they enter the lives of ordinary Australians in need. Season three will see stories from the Tasmanian base with episodes featuring hikers trapped in snow and rescuing missing bushwalkers.

Says Martine Jager, chief marketing officer for The Westpac Group: “Air Rescue exposes millions of Australians to the hard work of the oldest civilian search and rescue service in Australia. Westpac has supported the Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter Service since 1973, with no one ever having to pay to be rescued during that time.

“Westpac is incredibly proud of our involvement with the service and other initiatives it has generated such as the schools program and community fundraising activities including the popular City2 events. Season three of Air Rescue will see the show head to our Tasmanian base for the first time, with key stories including police and paramedics.”

In 2015, Air Rescue the series will continue to innovate with the latest cameras, Go-Pros and drones. New high-action slow-motion and time-lapse capabilities will showcase the breathtaking locations that surround the crews and their bases. Season three will also see the introduction of footage from the Hobart base in Tasmania as the show continues to tell the amazing stories of the Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter Service (WLRHS).

Says Gemma Hunter, head of MediaCom Beyond Advertising and executive creative director: “It’s incredible that Westpac, the Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter Service, Fredbird Entertainment and Channel 7 have come together for a third time to share the amazing work of the service with genre leading production values in prime time.

“Westpac is a fantastic client whom we are proud to work with leading the brand funded content field. We are thrilled to deliver on their objectives.”

Since its launch in November 2013, Air Rescue the series has been awarded an array of accolades from international, regional and local bodies including a Silver Pencil at The One Show, being Highly Commended at the 2013 Festival of Media Asia Awards, a finalist in the 2014 Spikes Asia, a Silver award winner at the 2014 BEfest Awards and winner of Australian Banking & Finance Magazines Campaign of the Year.

The Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter Service (WLRHS) reaches 84% of the population during its peak time during summer. Westpac has supported the

Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter Service (WLRHS) since its inception in Sydney in 1973. There are now 17 helicopters and 13 bases in the national fleet with two rescue boats based in the Northern Territory and Victoria.