Doble will be based in Sydney, although he expects Aprais to establish offices throughout the region, and pointed to Shanghai, Mumbai, Singapore and Bangkok as likely regional hubs.
Aprais Australia and New Zealand chairman Malcolm Rankin added that the consultancy was in discussions with clients and prospects on both the agency and client side, and is also looking for suitable candidates to lead its country offices. Rankin named Ogilvy & Mather, Nestle and Philips as key regional clients.
Aprais employs two software-based systems: relationship management and measurement (RMM), and performance-based remuneration (PBR). According to Doble, competition in the region is likely to come from traditional internal processes.
"Our major competition is internal paper-based systems," said Doble. "There's a whole host of reasons why (our) system is better."
Doble was previously executive vice-president of J. Walter Thompson and regional director for multinational clients based in Bangkok, before 'retiring' last year to a consultancy role.
Aprais is headquartered in the UK and counts Renault, Emirates, Toyota and J. Walter Thompson as clients.