King of Pitchmen Billy Mays Died Today at Age 50
The police have only preliminarily reported there is no suspicion of foul play, and his wife has stated Mr. Mays complained of not feeling well the previous evening.
Brief Biography of Billy Mays
Bill Mays was an entrepreneurial icon. Anyone who claims direct marketing is an advertising dinosaur need only look at the phenomenal success of pitchman legend Billy Mays. Born to sell, Mays began selling portable washing devices (Washmatik) on the Atlantic City, NJ boardwalk just after he graduated from high school. It was here, Mays began developing his signature pitch style.
In 1993 he was hired by Orange Glo International (OGI) to become their pitchman for for a line of cleaners: OxiClean, Orange Clean, Orange Glo, and Kaboom. He was an instant celebrity on the Home Shopping Network and helped OGI earn a spot in the top ten on Inc.'s fastest-growing, privately-held companies from 1999 to 2001.
He was the CEO and founder of Mays Promotions, Inc. and recently starred in the reality series, "Pitchmen," pitting direct marketing skills against rival Anthony Sullivan.
His famous and enthusiastic greeting, "Hi! Billy Mays here.." announcing himself as if we all should know who he was without any further explanation, left an endearing, tangible infomercial impression in our hearts and memories.
Rest in peace Billy Mays.
Comments
In a world where we have so few people to model ourselves after, Billy Mays was an entrepreneur who created something out of nothing. This is the essence of the American spirit that we can all learn from. Thank you for being a role model who showed the rest of us what could be done.
Nicely said. He was an amazing man, truly gifted in the art of marketing and entrepreneurship.
I have never purchase anythhing Mr. Mays pitched so why do I feel so sad that he is gone? With all who ha passed away the pass few weeks his is the only one that hit me. Maybe it is because we are the same age and his was not expected? He is in God’s hands now. My prayers are with his family.
He was loud and annoying. The perfect pitchman.
I still miss Billy Mays! I saw an infomercial last night for Sham Wow! and reminded me how sad it is.
I saw an infomercial last night for Oxi Clean! and reminded me how much I miss him!
Mike Tyson is such a jerk! Did you see him on Oprah last month, it was totally ridiculous