Billy Mays passes away

June 29, 12:22 PMDenver Marketing ExaminerCathy Harris

Previous Next

1 comment Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the Denver Marketing Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

When I’m up against a wall, that’s when Billy Mays performs best.”
- Billy Mays (1958-2009)

It is a sad day for many in the nation and in the world.  After the terrible losses of some Hollywood greats, American TV’s famous pitchman, Billy Mays, died on June 28, 2009, just days short of his 51^st birthday, following a rough landing on a US Airways flight.  Although results of an investigation of his death are still pending, there is no doubt that America has lost one of her sons.

Early Life

Billy was born William Darrell Mays, Jr.  After dropping out of college and working for his father at a Hazerdous Waste company, Billy moved to Atlantic City where he began his informal training as a “pitchman.”  Billy was taught by older salesmen and developed a style that was all his own.  Many have considered him high-strung and loud.  What cannot be denied, however, was how successful he was.

After traveling for 12 years and pitching at Auto, Home & Trade shows, he struck up a friendship with the founder of Denver-based Orange Glo, Max Appell.  Billy was hired to pitch their cleaning products such as Orange Glo, OxiClean, Kaboom, and Orange Clean.  Through Billy Mays, OxiClean was brought into homes in America and all over the world.  He helped those products become household names.

Sweet Success

On his way to becoming a giant in direct reponse marketing, Billy founded Mays Promotions, based out of his home in Odessa, Florida.  He worked on countless projects.  Among them were Mighty Putty, Mighty Mend It, the Awesome Auger, Impact Gel, Simoniz Liquid, What Odor, Zorbeez, Hercules Hook, Big City Slider and many more.

Billy was also teamed up with Anthony “Sully” Sullivan on Discovery Channel’s “Pitchman”, which highlighted the projects Billy and Sully worked on.

I join many others wishing his family and friends peace and happiness in the days, months and years to follow.  Billy lived the American dream by setting his sights on a goal, working hard and being diligent to its limit.  Only those close to him will know of his ups and downs in their most intimate ways, but the silver lining is the number of people he inspired to invent and pitch their way to success.