San Francisco - SolutionSet, the fourth largest independent digital, data, direct and local marketing services company in the U.S., today announced it has hired Bill Firing as chief strategy officer, effective immediately.  As part of the executive team, Firing will lead the strategic planning and data analytics practices across the company's integrated direct, data and digital marketing groups.  He will be based in San Francisco, reporting to SolutionSet President and COO Zain Raj.

"Bill's two decades of experience, exceptional leadership and strategic skills, and results-driven focus, make him a well-rounded addition to our management team," said Raj. "He is highly respected among his industry peers and will help drive SolutionSet's reputation as a strategic, future-driven marketing services partner that designs robust relationship marketing solutions for the 21st century."

Prior to joining SolutionSet, Firing was vice president of engagement management at Organic in San Francisco, where he helped reposition the creative digital agency as a strategic marketing partner to blue-chip clients in the retail, technology and financial services sectors, and was a leader of the agency's relationship with Bank of America Corporation.  In his previous position as vice president and director of digital/relationship marketing at Olson in Minneapolis, Minn., Firing directed the 180-person agency team and managed key new business efforts, helping win agency of record and interactive responsibilities for Lee Jeans, Country Inns & Suites, Imation and UnitedHealth Group.

Previously, Firing held senior digital and relationship marketing positions at agencies including Ogilvy West in Los Angeles, Modem Media in San Francisco and OgilvyOne in New York.  Throughout his career, he has managed direct, interactive and relationship marketing strategy and services across sectors and geographies, while helping to drive key business growth.  He has extensive experience working with leading clients such as Capital One Financial, Cisco Systems, Hewlett Packard, Live Nation, Nature Made and Sprint.

"It's an exciting time to join SolutionSet as the agency builds momentum in the industry," said Firing.  "Working alongside Jeff Haggin, Zain Raj and the SolutionSet team, we are poised to move forward the digital, direct and relationship marketing industry in innovative and strategic ways."