MONCh/WiDI interviews Marie Louise Kobberø, Defence Industry Market Analyst at Weibel

As Eurosatory gears up, preparations continue for the Inaugural meeting of Women in Defence International (est. 2012). With the kind patronage of COGES – organisers of Eurosatory 2018 – and the Mönch Publishing Group, WOMEN IN DEFENCE INTERNATIONAL (WiDI) will hold its inaugural congress on Wednesday, 13 June, from 1400 – 1500 hours in Hall 6, Conference Room 10. 

This interview below is the third since we announced the WiDI meeting and Mönch’s support for the organisation (the other two are here and here). We will continue to present interviews with women executives and new-comers to the industry throughout the year.

MONCh/WiDI interviews Marie Louise Kobberø, Defence Industry Market Analyst at Weibel.

Mönch / WiDI (WiDI): What does a defence industry Market Analyst at Weibel do?

Marie Louise Kobberø (MLK): Overall, a Market Analyst at Weibel is responsible for customer and market analysis and developing marketing material for our different channels, both online and offline. More specifically, my role is actually a combination of two: Market Analyst and Marketing Coordinator. My dual role means that I am also responsible for preparing the many different tradeshows and exhibitions that Weibel participates in, such as Eurosatory.

WiDI: How did your education prepared you for this role?

M. L. Kobberø: I have a master’s degree in Brand and Communication from Copenhagen Business School, where the main focus of my studies were B2C, the business-to-consumer market, whereas Weibel operates in the B2G or B2B market, i.e. business-to-government and business-to-business. But that doesn’t mean that I don’t use what I learned during my studies on an everyday basis. I use my education when I develop Weibel’s marketing materials and especially for the analysis part of my job.

WiDI: What did you learn from working in the defence industry that made this experience unique?

M. L. Kobberø: I learned that the sales process is unique and cannot be compared to other industries, and even though the different sectors within the defence industry seem similar there is a great deal of diversity that you have to take into account when you develop your marketing material.

WiDI: How would having a female mentor in the defence industry have enhanced or improved your experience?

M. L. Kobberø: Since the defence industry is often seen as a male-dominated industry, I would have appreciated a female mentor. Even though I’ve had some great bosses in Weibel who I’ve learned a lot from, it would have been nice to have someone to share my experiences with and seek advice from, especially in the beginning when everything was so new. Someone who really understood my perspective. But I can only encourage other women in the defence industry to seek out a mentor….

WIDI: Although your contract period is coming to an end and you might consider “moving on” to a post at another company, what advice can you offer to other young women considering defence industry careers? 

M. L. Kobberø: If you are considering this industry, you should go for it. It has truly been a great experience. You get a unique insight into the workings of this world that is like no other and get to know a lot of fantastic people. My advice for young women who dream of a marketing career in the defence industry is to truly understand your target audience, which will be different from what you’re used to, but also to never lose confidence in yourself.

Eurosatory 2018 is showcasing the future of innovation across the land forces sector and MONCh (Moench Online News Channel at www.monch.com) brings together key developments from the show. For more information please see MILITARY TECHNOLOGY #06/2018, available at the show in hall 6, stand #D198.; and frequently check back for more NEWS FROM THE FLOOR.

IMPORTANT: With the kind patronage of COGES – organisers of Eurosatory 2018 – and the Mönch Publishing Group, Women in Defence International (WiDI) will hold its inaugural congress on Wednesday, 13 June, from 14:00 to 15:00 hours during Eurosatory 2018, in the Hall 6 Conference Room 10 …graciously provided by COGES.

This meeting is the culmination of more than six-years of behind the scenes networking to bring WiDI into existence. You will be able to find out more about the organisation, its mission, goals and advantages to you and other women across the defence-industrial complex by attending this important gathering.