Unlockd is currently in talks to expand business to India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia and Singapore

Australian mobile ad startup Unlockd has appointed former Twitter Vice President for Asia Pacific Aliza Knox as its new COO, according to several media reports.

She will help Unlockd achieve its global expansion ambition, which includes including India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia and Singapore.

“We expect at least two or three markets to be launched in the next six to nine months,” Unlockd CEO Matt Berriman told Dealstreet Asia.

It also has plans to set up a regional office in Singapore or Kuala Lumpur, and will announce its Series B funding round “in the coming weeks,” having raised an AU$15 million (US$11.2 million) Series A round in April 2016.

Unlockd offers discounts, additional data, or entertainment content to smartphone users in exchange of advertising slots in their lock screen. Startups working in similar field is New Zealand-based Postr.

Also Read: Mobile advertising in APAC still dependent on banners, but native ads could enhance engagement

Prior to joining Twitter, Knox had worked in several multinational companies including Google, Boston Consulting Group, and VISA. Hailed from San Francisco, she had lived in Singapore and Australia.

Knox left Twitter in early April 2017.

She described Unlockd as “totally aggressive” about its business yet also possesses “humility” in acknowledging the competitive nature of the industry.

“What I love doing and I have proven to be good at doing is taking companies from almost nothing to a really significant presence … Unlockd has a tremendous growth potential,” she said.

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