My Story
I'm Deniz Mikael, the coordinator of SKD Drone, leading the planning and execution of immersive drone light shows and large-scale visual campaigns across the Middle East and Europe. My work combines technology, storytelling, and live execution, transforming complex ideas into precise, memorable experiences in the sky.
I was born in Oulu, Finland, and raised in Antalya, Turkey, growing up between cultures that shaped how I understand people, movement, and emotion in live experiences. I completed my education in Turkey before moving back to Finland, where I graduated from Kastelli High School of Sport. Years of competitive football taught me discipline, teamwork, and how to perform under pressure, skills that later translated directly into high-stakes live productions.
After early injuries ended my football career, I shifted my focus toward business and creative execution. I moved to Helsinki to study Business Administration at Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences, while already working hands-on in live events and drone operations. From a young age, I became actively involved in SKD Drone, gaining real-world experience in international productions where precision, safety, and timing are non-negotiable.
As part of my university studies, I participated in international business projects in Germany and Spain, strengthening my understanding of event management, marketing, and cross-border collaboration. These experiences reinforced my ability to operate in global environments with diverse teams and clients.
Later, I relocated to Dubai, a market defined by scale and ambition. There, SKD Drone became one of the early companies operating drone shows in the Middle East, delivering landmark productions that helped position the company as a global player in the drone show industry. I have personally taken part in over 100 drone shows across four continents, working as both a pilot and operations manager alongside premium global brands and major events.
What drives my work is a simple question: how do you make an experience truly memorable? Beyond technical execution, I focus on storytelling, perspective, and emotional impact, designing shows that do more than impress but connect. Together with a multidisciplinary creative team of drone show directors, engineers, and visual storytellers, we build every project from scratch. Each production is choreographed with precision and designed to deliver long-term brand value, whether for global campaigns, national celebrations, or private events.
