Adtech firm DoubleVerify has made its first hire in Melbourne, naming former Starcom executive Robert Millett as Business Director Melbourne as it expands its presence in Australia and the wider Asia-Pacific region.
Millett joins from Starcom, where he spent nearly a decade and most recently served as Head of Digital in Melbourne. DoubleVerify said he will manage existing client relationships in the market and focus on business growth in Victoria.
"I'm incredibly excited to be DV's first hire in Victoria and to lead our expansion in this vibrant market. My focus will be on ensuring our local partners can leverage DV's cutting-edge verification and performance solutions," said Robert Millett, Business Director Melbourne, DoubleVerify.
DoubleVerify is also adding four roles in Australia. Joseph Wilson and Josephine Driscoll have joined as Integrated Solutions Directors. Thanik Asawasirisilp and Vikrant Bhalerao have been appointed Senior Account Managers.
The company positions the hires as part of a wider expansion across APAC. It launched operations in Malaysia last year. It also said its APAC headcount has risen 63% in the past three years.
Local push
DoubleVerify sells software used by advertisers and agencies for media verification and measurement across digital advertising. The company markets its platform around checks on media quality, brand suitability and campaign outcomes.
Mark Zagorski, Chief Executive Officer at DoubleVerify, framed the regional expansion around advertiser demand for regional coverage and local execution.
"As APAC's digital ecosystem grows at an unprecedented pace, advertisers are looking for trusted partners who combine global technology leadership with local expertise," said Mark Zagorski, CEO, DoubleVerify. "Our expansion across the region ensures brands have the technology, insights and support needed to drive clarity, confidence and stronger performance from their media investments."
In Australia, DoubleVerify pointed to work with Colgate-Palmolive Australia on video advertising. The company said Colgate-Palmolive used pre-bid brand suitability controls and improved media quality across campaigns.
It also referenced work with consumer health company Haleon in Australia. DoubleVerify said it boosted Haleon's brand suitability rate by 6%.
Product focus
The company tied its Australian growth to recent product and corporate developments. It cited the rollout of DV Authentic AdVantage, which it describes as a product innovation for digital media effectiveness. It also highlighted its acquisition of Rockerbox, which it called a marketing attribution provider.
DoubleVerify said these initiatives and partnerships have supported its regional growth and customer relationships. The company did not disclose Australian revenue figures or customer counts.
State-by-state markets
Australia's advertising market often splits along state lines. Media buying, audience behaviour and industry regulation vary across states, particularly in categories with stricter rules on advertising and targeting.
Conrad Tallariti, Managing Director, APAC at DoubleVerify, said the company's approach includes geographic tools designed for state-level differences.
"Australia's vast geography creates distinct advertising markets across states, each with unique regulatory requirements and media consumption patterns," said Conrad Tallariti, Managing Director, APAC, DoubleVerify. "DV's state-level geographic capabilities help brands address regional market complexity-particularly in highly regulated categories- while optimising media performance across fragmented markets. With Robert's proven expertise in digital strategy, we're well-positioned to deliver even greater value to Australian advertisers navigating this complexity."
Millett also linked his move to changes in digital advertising across platforms.
"As the digital landscape across multiple platforms evolves rapidly, ensuring media transparency, quality and effectiveness is more critical than ever. I can't wait to work with local partners and brands to leverage DV's cutting-edge verification and performance solutions to drive superior results from their digital investments," said Millett.
The Melbourne appointment follows DoubleVerify's broader push to add staff in APAC markets as it seeks further growth with advertisers and agencies across the region.