# Rob Long

> Rob Long is a Montreal-based Canadian marketing and e-commerce executive whose career has moved through Clearly and Coastal Contacts, EyeBuyDirect, Dyson Canada, KITS, and Phoenix. Across those roles he has repeatedly worked on direct-to-consumer businesses where the product experience itself carries much of the marketing - from launching an online eyeglasses business and transforming a brand in Shanghai to opening Dyson's first Canadian retail store and helping KITS scale from roughly $50 million to more than $200 million in revenue.

- **Role:** Chief Marketing Officer at Phoenix
- **Organizations:** Phoenix, KITS, Dyson Canada, EyeBuyDirect, Clearly, Coastal Contacts
- **Education:** Bachelor of Business Administration, Simon Fraser University, Beedie School of Business, Executive Master of Business Administration, Northwestern University, Kellogg School of Management and York University, Schulich School of Business
- **Known for:** Helped launch Coastal’s online eyeglasses business in 2008., Led EyeBuyDirect through a full brand transformation while based in Shanghai., Built Dyson Canada’s direct-to-consumer division and launched its first Canadian retail store in 2017.

## Career timeline

- **2007** — Joined Coastal Contacts in digital marketing and helped launch its eyeglasses business.
- **2008-2014** — Advanced through loyalty and marketing leadership at Clearly/Coastal, including country responsibility for the United States and regional responsibility for the United Kingdom.
- **2014-2016** — Moved to Shanghai as e-commerce director for EyeBuyDirect and led a full brand transformation, including a rebrand and site redesign.
- **2016-2019** — Built and led Dyson Canada’s direct-to-consumer division; launched Dyson’s first Canadian retail store at Toronto’s Yorkdale Mall in 2017.
- **2020** — Joined KITS as Chief Marketing Officer.
- **2021** — Appointed to KITS’ newly created Chief Information Officer role after the company credited his work with record revenue and new-customer growth.
- **2021-2023** — Served as Chief Commercial Officer and Chief Information Officer at KITS.
- **2023-2025** — Returned to the Chief Marketing Officer role at KITS.
- **2025** — Named to The Lead’s Direct 60 list and left KITS after nearly six years.
- **2026-present** — Serves as Chief Marketing Officer at Phoenix; the company publicly announced his appointment in January 2026.
- **2026** — Returned to Schulich as a guest speaker on ownership, startup work and real-world leadership.

## Achievements

- Helped launch Coastal’s online eyeglasses business in 2008.
- Led EyeBuyDirect through a full brand transformation while based in Shanghai.
- Built Dyson Canada’s direct-to-consumer division and launched its first Canadian retail store in 2017.
- Helped KITS grow from approximately $50 million to more than $200 million in revenue during his tenure, according to CEO Roger Hardy.
- Named to The Lead’s 2025 Direct 60 list.
- Served across marketing, commercial and information leadership roles at KITS.

## Latest updates

- **2025-10** — Left KITS after nearly six years and announced that his next role would be closer to his Montreal home.
- **2026-01** — Phoenix publicly announced him as its new Chief Marketing Officer.
- **2026-02** — Returned to Schulich as a guest speaker, discussing ownership and work in startup environments.

## Links

- Website: https://phoenix.ca
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robowenlong

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/rob-long
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-08-24