Your Secret Love

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Billy Mays: King of all Pitchmen

By Jim Ziebarth James Ziebarth

William Darrell "Billy" Mays, Jr., the most famous television advertisement pitchman, will be remembered for pitching Oxi Clean, Orange Glo, and numerous other cleaning, and maintenance products. His distinctive beard and unique persona produced one of the most recognized television presences in the United States.

On July 20, 1958, Billy Mays Jr. was born in McKees Rocks Pennsylvania. He graduated from Sto-Rox High School in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Billy Mays joined the movement to become a college graduate; however, he soon dropped out of West Virginia University. After college, he found employment with his dad's hazardous waste company. Billy Mays would leave hazardous waste and move to Atlantic City in 1983.

Billy Mays's move to Atlantic City introduced him to his future career...pitchman. Billy started pitching products such as Washamatik. Washmatik is a portable cleaning device. He "pitched" to anyone who would listen or could be drawn into listening. Soon, the world would realize that Billy Mays had found his calling.

Atlantic City's pitchmen built the Billy Mays we know and love. These pitchmen taught Billy how to draw in a crowd and develop a pitch that would "seal the deal". Billy Mays soaked up their suggestions like a sponge. When he was ready, he took his show on the road. Criss-crossing America selling various products at auto shows, home expos, and fairs.

In 1993, Bill Mays became friends with Max Appel. Max Appel was another pitchman with whom Billy had cultivated a rivalry. Appel had moved from pitchman to entrepeneur by founding Orange Glo International. Max Appel realized the greatness that was Billy Mays. He hired Billy to pitch his line of cleaners on the Home Shopping Network. Billy moved to St Petersburg, Florida to pitch products such as OxiClean, Orange Glo, and Kaboom.

Billy Mays realized that he wanted to be his own boss. He founded Mays Promotions, Inc. and served as its CEO. Initially, Mays Promotions, Inc. was run out of his Odessa, Florida home. He soon achieved fame as one of the greatest pitchmen alive. Inventors and companies chased after Billy Mays to promote their products.

In 2009, Billy Mays became a TV superstar. Discovery Channel began airing "Pitchmen". Pitchmen took viewers behind the scenes of TV infomercials. Viewers were able to watch inventors pitch their products to Billy Mays and his partner Anthony Sullivan. See which products they picked up and see how an infomercial is produced.

June 28, 2009 is a day that will live in infamy. Billy Mays's wife found him unresponsive. At 7:45 a.m., he was pronounced dead. It is thought, he passed away during the night. News reports stated that early indications pointed to heart attack.

Billy Mays's autopsy was performed by Dr. Vernard Adams. Dr. Adams is the coroner for Hillsborough County, Florida. His autopsy found that Mays was brought down by hypertensive heart disease. A heart attack had ended the world's greatest pitchman.

July 3, 2009, Billy Mays was laid to rest in McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania. In honor of him, pallbearers wore the same khaki pants and blue shirts that were Billy's trademark. He was even buried in a shire with the OxiClean logo.

About the Author:

No comments:

The Best