AI startup Appier hires Sean Chu from Microsoft to head its Asia growth strategy

Appier, the artificial intelligence startup that recently raised a $33 million Series C from three of Asia's biggest Internet companies, has hired former Microsoft Japan marketing senior director Sean Chu to oversee its growth strategy. As Appier's new chief strategy officer, Chu will be based in Tokyo and helm Appier's operations in Japan and Korea. Last month Appier announced its Series C, which brought its total funding so far to $82 million, from SoftBank Group, Line Corp., Naver Corp., EDBI (the Singapore Economic Development Board's corporate investment arm) and AMTD Group. Appier's goal is to strengthen in presence in the markets its new investors represent, which include Japan, Korea, Hong Kong and Southeast Asia, before expanding into other regions. The company's main products, the CrossX Programmatic Platform and Aixon, help brands use artificial intelligence to predict consumer behavior and make marketing decisions.