We are sure you must have come across certain Ads that have itched themselves in your brain, rent-free. Not very often, but you come across them once every few years. This one by Emirates is similar to that.
Emirates, the famous airline carrier, posted an Ad campaign to highlight its collaboration with Expo 2020 and to raise more tourism in Dubai, causing the internet to literally break with its adrenalin-gushing video.
The video has gained quite a lot of attention, with more than 100,000 views in less than 4 hours.
@emirates
Professional Skydiver and stuntwoman Nicole Smith-Ludvik (@nicolesmithludvik) came to international attention when she starred in Emirates Airline’s recent viral Ad campaign in August 2021, standing on top of the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa. Soon after that, Nicole’s image was painted onto four of Emirate’s flagship Airbus A380’s, the world’s largest passenger airplane inviting people to visit the world’s greatest show, Expo 2020 Dubai. January 2022 saw Nicole standing on top of the Burj Khalifa again for another edition of the campaign, this time taking it one spectacular step further with a guest appearance from the iconic Expo 2020 Dubai A380 itself.
Read our exclusive conversation with the woman who made it to heights, quite literally. Her name is Nicole and she’s a professional Sky-diver as well as a stuntwoman.
Q: Before you went viral in an Ad with Emirates, did you anticipate such a huge opportunity coming your way?
A: “I’ve worked very hard in my skydiving career and have big goals, dreams, and ambitions. So, it’s wonderful to watch it all pay off! This stunt has exceeded my wildest dreams!”
Q: This is a very intimidating experience for the normal mass – tell us how you felt while experiencing this?
A: “The climb to the top of the Burj Khalifa is 200 meters up a tiny ladder inside a very narrow space. The ladder rungs resemble less of a ladder you would use in your home and more like the rungs you see on the side of a telephone pole. The climb takes a lot of both mental and physical endurance. But this all said, nothing can prepare you for when you finally reach the top! Being the first woman and one of only a handful of others who have ever been to the top of the Burj Khalifa is an extraordinary feeling.”
Q: Along with you, who else was helping you reach the top of the tallest building in the world?
A: “I had an incredible team! My husband, David Junior Ludvik. He’s my biggest fan and the love of my life. Emirates, Emaar, Alan Gayton Owner, Safety & Stunt Director with Prime Productions, Shane and Billy from TECS Event Services, Katie Cousins, my beautiful makeup artist, Choppershoot, Navigation Films, Dubai Films, to name a few! I also have to mention my mom and dad and their unwavering support of my crazy antics.”
Q: Do you think social media has a huge role to play in this video going viral?
A: “Absolutely! Social media played the most crucial role in the Ad going viral.”
Q: Do you think Influencer Marketing is a powerful tool worth investing in, for bigger brands like Emirates?
A: “I believe Influencer Marketing is a unique and authentic way for brands to connect with their audience.”
Q: What big campaign would you like to be a part of next?
A: “My biggest passions are Skydiving, Yoga, Scuba Diving, Traveling, and Adventure. I also love designer clothes and handbags. I would love to combine my love for designer brands with my extreme sports!”
Q: Who are your favourite Influencers in the UAE?
A: “I follow Allaoua Gaham (@allaouayoga) – he’s one of my favourite Yoga instructors in Dubai!”
Q: Who do see yourself collaborating within the near future?
A: “I would love to do something with Super Car Blondie. She posted the BTS from my first stunt on her socials.“
Nicole was married in her early 20’s, and life took an unexpected turn when she was widowed at 25. After much soul searching, she decided to follow her passion for adventure and became a skydiver. Soon after, Nicole was involved in a car accident that killed her skydiving instructor. Nicole was critically injured, and doctors were convinced she would not survive with a broken neck, back, tailbone, a punctured lung, two broken ribs, four pelvic fractures, and two brain injuries. The rest, as they say, is history. Not only did Nicole make a full recovery, she literally went on to conquer the world, becoming one of the world’s most inspirational skydivers and a stuntwoman. Nicole has been named one of the most inspirational women to look for in 2022, holds the record for the youngest person ever to skydive in all 50 United States, and has been featured as a GoPro Creator.
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