The office joins the company's existing regional location in Hong Kong "and demonstrates the company's ongoing commitment to expand its international operations", the company said in a release issued from its London office on Thursday. The extension of Vocus's presence in Asia capitalises on the significant economic development in the Asia-Pacific region.

Growth in the region's economy, along with the globalisation of media, has created a strong need for the management of public relations by companies who wish to increase the impact of their news.

"The Asian market represents an enormous opportunity for continued growth and expansion," said Andrew Muir, managing director of Vocus International.

"We look forward to using our dedicated resources in the region to promote the value of Vocus on-demand software to companies and PR professionals throughout Asia."

Vocus' Asia-Pacific operations will be led by Ross Williams, formerly managing director Asia-Pacific for Descartes Systems Group. As general manager for Vocus in this market, Williams will work with current clients while expanding the company's client base in the region.

Vocus sells what it calls an integrated on-demand software suite for PR professionals. "The software manages media and analyst relationships, interactive e-mail campaigns, projects and news, files, documents and other collateral, and online newsrooms," the company statement said.

The software also analyses media coverage and other PR information to provide real-time details of the effectiveness of PR campaigns and early intelligence on trends unfolding in the press, the company said.